The Angel of the Lord: Reasons to Believe He Is the Pre-Incarnate Jesus

The Angel of the Lord appears repeatedly throughout Scripture, speaking and acting with divine authority. A close examination of His words, actions, and how He is received reveals that He is not a created messenger but the pre-incarnate Jesus Himself.

He Speaks as God and Receives Worship

In Judges 6:11-14, the Angel appeared to Gideon and said, “The LORD is with you.” Gideon asked, “If the LORD is with us, why then has all this happened?” The Angel replied in God’s name, “I will send you.” Gideon’s response shows He recognized him as divine. Later, after manna is promised, Gideon builds an altar and names it “The LORD Is Peace.”

Worship is pivotal. In Exodus 3:2-6, Moses encounters the burning bush. God says, “Take your sandals off your feet, for the place where you stand is holy ground.” The Angel of the Lord appears in the flame. Moses hides his face, an act of reverence reserved for deity.

In Joshua 5:13-15, Joshua encounters a man with a drawn sword who identifies Himself as the Commander of the LORD’s army. Joshua falls in worship, and the presence does not forbid it. Holy worship directed in faith is always forbidden unless Christ Himself receives it.

He Declares Divine Names and Promises

In Genesis 16:7-13, Hagar flees into the wilderness and is met by “the Angel of the LORD.” He calls her by name, knows her situation, and speaks as God: promising descendants and provisions. Hagar responds, “You are a God who sees”; she names the place “El-Roi.” She clearly identifies His appearance with God Himself.

Similarly, in Genesis 22:11-16, the Angel of the Lord calls out to Abraham during the offering of Isaac, stopping his hand. He says, “By Myself I have sworn,” and reiterates the covenant promise to Abraham. Speaking “by Himself” identifies speech from the mouth of God, not a created messenger.

He Carries Divine Authority to Forgive and Judge

In Numbers 22, Balaam’s donkey sees the Angel of the Lord standing in the road. The Angel speaks; Balmoth trembles, and Balaam’s eyes are opened. Notice Balaam’s fearful address: “I have sinned, for I did not know You stood in the way… If it displeases You, I will turn back.” He believes the Angel deserves worship and submission.

In Zechariah 3:1-6, Joshua the high priest stands before the Angel of the Lord, clothed in filthy garments. The Angel rebukes Satan, removes Joshua’s sin, and declares, “See, I have removed your iniquity.” Only God can grant forgiveness. The Angel here forgives and redeems.

He Reveals Himself in theophany and covenant roles

Many encounters include visible supernatural signs: fire, burning bush, glowing glory, swollen rivers. These are standards of divine theophany (e.g. Exodus 3; Judges 13; Judges 6). The Angel acts as covenant mediator, asserting God’s promises, initiating worship, delivering redemptive grace.

This aligns with the eternal Christ’s role as “the Apostle and High Priest of our confession” (Hebrews 3:1), and voice of covenant revelation.

He Continues in the New Covenant

In Matthew 1:20-23, the angel of the Lord appears to Joseph in a dream, saying, “That which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.” The text cites Isaiah 7:14, “Behold, the virgin shall conceive…” In Hebrews 1, angels are said to *serve* Christ. Yet here, the “angel of the Lord” speaks *for* God, overseeing the incarnation. This shows the continuity between Old Covenant Theophanies and the Son of God taking flesh.

My Final Thoughts

Every appearance of the Angel of the Lord in Scripture bears divine authority: He receives worship, speaks divine names, grants forgiveness, mediates covenant, and manifests as God. He is always distinct from Yahweh in person, yet identical in essence. The Angel is no created messenger; He is the eternal Son before He became flesh. As such, these encounters reveal the pre-incarnate Christ at work throughout redemptive history, making Him our faithful High Priest, covenant Mediator, and the One who has always made Himself known to His people.

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