The Doctrine of the Angel of Jehovah

Topics

We have already studied the Angel of Jehovah back in Gen. 16:7. However, for a brief run down:

The Angel of Jehovah—A Brief Summary

(1)     The angel of Jehovah is Jehovah, as He speaks in the first person for Jehovah (Gen. 16:10 22:15–17 Judges 2:1). He does not say, “Thus speaks Jehovah,” as a prophet would (Judges 6:8).

(2)     He speaks of Himself in the first person as God (Gen. 31:11–13 Ex. 3:2–6).

(3)     The Angel of Jehovah is distinguished from Jehovah (Isa. 63:7–10 Daniel 3:19–28 Zech. 1:12–13).

(4)     The Angel of Jehovah and Jehovah are sometimes so closely intertwined in a passage, that it is difficult to determine Who is Who (Zech. 1:14–21).

(5)     After the incarnation of Jesus Christ, there is no longer the need for the appearance of the Angel of the Lord as the Angel of the Lord. This is because the Angel of the Lord is Jesus Christ (John 1:18 6:46 1Tim. 6:13–16 Heb. 1:4).

(6)    Finally, no prophet is ever called an angel of God; they are called prophets or men of God, but never angels (which also means messenger in the Hebrew).

This, by no means, covers this doctrine properly; this short doctrine merely gives us a brief run-down and nothing more. The complete Doctrine of the Angel of Jehovah was covered back in Gen. 16:7.

It may help to take a look at the appearances of the Angel of the Lord:

The Appearances of the Angel of Jehovah

Scripture

The Angel Appeared to...

Incident

Gen. 16:7–10

Hagar

The Angel of the Lord told Hagar to return to Sarah and promised her that should would bear many descendants.

Gen. 22:11–13

Abraham

He appeared to Abraham and stopped him from sacrificing his son.

Gen. 32:24–30

Jacob

He wrestled with Jacob through the night and blessed him at daybreak.

Ex. 3:1–8

Moses

The Angel of Jehovah spoke to Moses from the burning bush, promising to deliver the Israelites out of slavery to the Egyptians.

Ex. 14:19–20

Israelites

He protected the sons of Israel from the pursuing Egyptian army.

Ex. 23:2–23

Israelites

He prepared the children of Israel to enter into the Land of Promise.

Num. 22:22–35

Balaam

He stood in front of Balaam, not allowing him to move forward; and then sent him to deliver a message to Balak.

Joshua 5:13–15

Joshua

The Angel of Jehovah reassured Joshua in his role as commander of the army of Jehovah.

Judges 2:1–3

Israelites

He announced judgment against the Israelites for their sinful alliances with the Canaanites.

Judges 6:11–24

Gideon

The Angel of the Lord commissioned Gideon to fight against the Midianites.

1Chron. 21:16–22

David

The Angel of the Lord appears to David on the threshing floor of Araunah, where David built an altar to Jehovah.

1Kings 19:4–8

Elijah

He provides food for Elijah in the wilderness.

Isa. 37:36

Residents of Jerusalem

He delivers the residents of Jerusalem from the Assyrian army.

Daniel 3:25

Three Hebrew Men

He protects these three young Israelites from Nebuchadnezzar’s fiery furnace in Babylon.

This was taken and slightly edited from The NIV Study Bible; ©1995 by The Zondervan Corporation; p. 325.