The term "Angel of the Lord" appears frequently in the Old Testament and is a significant figure in biblical theology. This entity is often depicted as a divine messenger who carries out God's will and delivers His messages to humanity. The Angel of the Lord is distinct from other angels mentioned in the Bible, often displaying characteristics and authority that suggest a unique and special role.

Biblical Appearances

1. Hagar and Ishmael: The Angel of the Lord first appears in Genesis 16:7-13, where He finds Hagar in the wilderness. The Angel speaks to her, promising numerous descendants through her son Ishmael. Hagar recognizes the divine nature of the encounter, referring to the Angel as "You are the God who sees me" (Genesis 16:13).

2. Abraham and Isaac: In Genesis 22:11-18, the Angel of the Lord intervenes as Abraham is about to sacrifice his son Isaac. The Angel calls out to Abraham, stopping him and providing a ram as a substitute offering. The Angel reiterates God's covenant promises to Abraham, emphasizing the divine authority of the message.

3. Moses and the Burning Bush: In Exodus 3:2, the Angel of the Lord appears to Moses in a flame of fire from within a bush. This encounter leads to the commissioning of Moses to deliver the Israelites from Egypt. The Angel's presence in the bush is closely associated with God Himself, as the text later refers to God speaking to Moses.

4. Balaam's Donkey: In Numbers 22:22-35, the Angel of the Lord stands in the path of Balaam, a prophet hired to curse Israel. The Angel's presence is initially revealed to Balaam's donkey, who sees the Angel and refuses to proceed. Eventually, Balaam's eyes are opened, and he sees the Angel, who instructs him to speak only what God commands.

5. Gideon: In Judges 6:11-24, the Angel of the Lord appears to Gideon, calling him to deliver Israel from Midianite oppression. The Angel's message is accompanied by a miraculous sign, leading Gideon to recognize the divine nature of the encounter.

6. Samson's Birth: In Judges 13:3-22, the Angel of the Lord announces the birth of Samson to his parents, Manoah and his wife. The Angel provides specific instructions regarding Samson's Nazirite vow. Manoah and his wife realize they have seen a divine being, expressing fear that they will die for having seen God.

Theological Significance

The Angel of the Lord is often interpreted as a theophany, a visible manifestation of God to humans. In several instances, the Angel speaks as God, uses the first person, and is worshiped or revered as divine. This has led some theologians to suggest that the Angel of the Lord may be a pre-incarnate appearance of Christ, especially given the Angel's authoritative role and divine attributes.

Characteristics and Attributes

· Divine Authority: The Angel of the Lord speaks with God's authority, delivering messages and commands that carry divine weight.
· Mediator: The Angel often acts as a mediator between God and humans, conveying God's will and instructions.
· Protector and Deliverer: In many accounts, the Angel of the Lord provides protection and deliverance, as seen in the accounts of Hagar, Israel, and Gideon.
· Worship and Reverence: Encounters with the Angel of the Lord often lead to worship or expressions of reverence, indicating recognition of the Angel's divine nature.

Conclusion

The Angel of the Lord remains a profound and mysterious figure within the biblical narrative, embodying the presence and authority of God in a tangible form. This entity's appearances throughout the Old Testament underscore the continuity of God's interaction with His people and His ongoing commitment to His covenant promises.Angel of the Lord

(Genesis 16:7) etc. (The special form in which God manifested himself to man, and hence Christ's visible form before the incarnation. Compare (Acts 7:30-38) with the corresponding Old-Testament history; and (Genesis 18:1,13,14,33) and Genesis 19:1)

Angel of the Lord

The Angel Jehovah, the usual title of Christ in the Old Testament. Compare Genesis 16:7-13; 22:11-18; 31:11-13; 32:24-30; Exodus 3:2-6,14; 23:20; Jud 2:1-23; 13:16-22; Acts 7:30-38. Christ thus appears in the Patriarchal, the Mosaic, and the Christian dispensation as the same Jehovah, revealing the Father to men, and carrying forward the same great plan for the redemption of his people, Isaiah 63:9.

The Angel of the Lord in the Pentateuch, and the Book of Joshua.
... THE ANGEL OF THE LORD IN THE PENTATEUCH, AND THE BOOK OF JOSHUA. The New
Testament distinguishes between the hidden God and the ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/the angel of the lord.htm

M. Anonymous. The Angel of the Lord.
... SUPPLEMENT. 591. 7 & 5s. M. Anonymous. The Angel of the Lord. 1 Onward speed
thy conquering flight, Angel, onward speed! Cast abroad ...
/.../various/book of hymns for public and private devotion/591 7 & 5s m.htm

Opinions of the Jews with Regard to Him who Appeared in the Bush.
... For the Scripture says thus: The Angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of
fire from the bush; and he sees that the bush burns with fire, but the bush ...
/.../chapter lx opinions of the jews.htm

The Captain of the Lord's Host
... the whole of the Old Testament notices of the occasional manifestation of a mysterious
person who is named 'the Angel,' 'the Angel of the Lord.' For instance ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/the captain of the lords.htm

That Christ is at once Angel and God.
... 5. That Christ is at once Angel and God. In Genesis, to Abraham: "And the Angel
of the Lord called him from heaven, and said unto him, Abraham, Abraham! ...
/.../cyprian/three books of testimonies against the jews/5 that christ is at.htm

The Sympathy of God
... We can only attempt a partial and bald enumeration of some of the very remarkable
references to that mysterious person, 'the angel of the Lord 'or 'of the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/the sympathy of god.htm

Now, when He had Been There for Some Time...
... Now, when he had been there for some time, on a certain day when he was
alone, an angel of the Lord stood by him in a great light. ...
/.../unknown/the gospel of the nativity of mary/chapter 3 now when he.htm

The Little Ones and their Angels.
... it will be plain to thee, how that according to these things "the angel of the Lord"
is said "to encamp round about them that fear Him, and to save them." [5987 ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of matthew/26 the little ones and.htm

A vision of Judgement and Cleansing
... 'And he shewed me Joshua the high priest standing before the Angel of the Lord,
and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him.2. And the Lord said unto ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/a vision of judgement and.htm

A Summary of Israel's Faithlessness and God's Patience
... THE BOOK OF JUDGES A SUMMARY OF ISRAEL'S FAITHLESSNESS AND GOD'S PATIENCE. 'And
an angel of the Lord came up from Gilgal to Bochim, and said, I made you to go ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/a summary of israels faithlessness.htm

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