Topical Bible: Angel (A Spirit): Appearances of To the Israelites

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In the biblical narrative, angels are spiritual beings created by God, often serving as His messengers and agents. Throughout the history of the Israelites, angels have played significant roles, appearing at pivotal moments to deliver divine messages, provide guidance, and execute God's will. These appearances underscore the close relationship between the divine and the chosen people of Israel.

1. To Hagar: The first recorded appearance of an angel to an Israelite is to Hagar, the Egyptian maidservant of Sarah, Abraham's wife. In Genesis 16:7-12, the Angel of the LORD finds Hagar by a spring in the desert and instructs her to return to her mistress, promising that her descendants will be too numerous to count. This encounter highlights God's concern and provision for those connected to His covenant people.

2. To Abraham: Angels appear to Abraham on several occasions. In Genesis 18, three men, one of whom is identified as the LORD, visit Abraham by the oaks of Mamre. They announce the forthcoming birth of Isaac, the child of promise. Later, in Genesis 22:11-18, an angel intervenes to stop Abraham from sacrificing Isaac, reaffirming God's covenant and blessing upon Abraham's descendants.

3. To Jacob: Jacob's life is marked by angelic encounters. In Genesis 28:12, he dreams of a ladder reaching to heaven with angels ascending and descending on it, symbolizing the connection between God and His people. Later, in Genesis 32:1-2, angels meet Jacob as he returns to Canaan, and he names the place Mahanaim, meaning "two camps," recognizing the divine presence accompanying him.

4. To Moses: In Exodus 3:2, the Angel of the LORD appears to Moses in a flame of fire from within a bush. This theophany marks the beginning of Moses' mission to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. The angelic presence signifies God's holiness and His direct involvement in the deliverance of His people.

5. To the Israelites during the Exodus: Throughout the Exodus, angels play a protective and guiding role. In Exodus 14:19, the Angel of God moves behind the Israelite camp to shield them from the pursuing Egyptians. Additionally, in Exodus 23:20-23, God promises to send an angel ahead of the Israelites to guard them and lead them to the Promised Land.

6. To Balaam: Although not an Israelite, Balaam's encounter with an angel in Numbers 22:22-35 is significant for the Israelites. The Angel of the LORD stands in Balaam's path to prevent him from cursing Israel, demonstrating God's protective oversight.

7. To Joshua: In Joshua 5:13-15, the commander of the LORD's army appears to Joshua near Jericho. This angelic figure reassures Joshua of divine support as the Israelites prepare to conquer the land promised to them.

8. To 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 and miraculous sign confirm God's choice and empowerment of Gideon as a judge and leader.

9. To Manoah and his wife: In Judges 13, an angel announces the birth of Samson to Manoah and his wife, instructing them on how to raise the child who would begin to deliver Israel from the Philistines. This encounter emphasizes God's ongoing plan for His people through divinely appointed leaders.

10. To Elijah: In 1 Kings 19:5-7, an angel ministers to Elijah in the wilderness, providing food and water to sustain him during his flight from Jezebel. This angelic intervention highlights God's care for His prophets and His provision in times of distress.

These angelic appearances to the Israelites reveal God's active involvement in their history, guiding, protecting, and communicating His will. Angels serve as instruments of God's purpose, reinforcing His covenant promises and ensuring the fulfillment of His divine plan for His people.

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Exodus 14:19
And the angel of God, which went before the camp of Israel, removed and went behind them; and the pillar of the cloud went from before their face, and stood behind them:
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Judges 2:1-4
And an angel of the LORD came up from Gilgal to Bochim, and said, I made you to go up out of Egypt, and have brought you to the land which I swore to your fathers; and I said, I will never break my covenant with you.
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Library

The Knowledge that God Is, Combined with the Knowledge that He is ...
... is a new gospel, which, if an angel should bring ... and hath relation to the Fountain
spirit, which hath ... perfect opposition to all false appearances and external ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/lecture xi the knowledge that.htm

Formation and History of the Hebrew Canon.
... used them at their discretion under the guidance of the Spirit of God ... 20, four hundred
and fifty years), we read of several appearances of the "angel of the ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xv formation and history.htm

The Northern Iron and the Steel
... hours of labor, the wall, to all appearances, stood fast ... Anti-Christ will come, and
the long-expected angel shall cry ... and the hold of every foul spirit, and a ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/the northern iron and the.htm

The Faith of Moses.
... Nothing is said of his appearances before Pharaoh; nothing of ... had heard the voice
of the angel that spoke ... still deeper into the motives that swayed his spirit. ...
/.../the expositors bible the epistle to the hebrews/chapter xii the faith of.htm

A Canticle of Love
... To all appearances, I was well cared for, and yet ... Had not this Spirit of Truth already
dictated these words ... be," thought the Mother, "if this Angel would only ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/martin/the story of a soul/chapter xi a canticle of.htm

The Saviour Lifted Up, and the Look of Faith.
... So it was said by the announcing angel, "Thou shalt ... which sanctifies the soul"the
Spirit of God ... These discouraging appearances drove some into despair in the ...
/.../finney/sermons on gospel themes/iv the saviour lifted up.htm

The Immaculate Conception
... Even the hateful, evil, false appearances of towers, chalices, and ... and drink in the
wilderness from the angel, who held ... at a later time, was the spirit of man ...
/.../emmerich/the life of the blessed virgin mary/ii the immaculate conception.htm

Doctrinal and Moral Treatises. Index of Subjects.
... Angel, Temple may not be built to an, [337]374 ... of saints whether themselves or angelic
appearances, doubtful, [407 ... makes men temples of the Holy Spirit, [481]374 ...
/.../on care to be had for the dead /doctrinal and moral treatises index.htm

part ii
... Judging by Satan's malicious actions in the world, by their number and power,
we can guess how powerful a spirit was Satan, the fallen angel. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/calvin/my life in christ/part ii.htm

Faustus States his Objections to the Morality of the Law and the ...
... you say that the devil gave this angel, it follows ... and in the hidden depths of the
Spirit, that the ... that his mind was darkened by false appearances and elated ...
/.../faustus states his objections to.htm