The word for angel in the Hebrew can mean angel, messenger, or king, only the context decides the meaning. But the Angel of the LORD is very different. He is clearly not an ordinary angel. He is extraordinary. Unlike regular angels, if you can call an angel regular, the Angel of the LORD claims to be God [Ex 3:1-22], and He accepts worship [Judg. 13:16], no other angels ever makes these claims. If worship is offered to them, they correct the person, and advice them to worship God. [Rev. 19:10; 22:9]. Where the Angel of the LORD lights the fire. [Judge 6:21]
The Angel of the LORD presented himself as no other. Because of his unique behavior, scholars have come up with a more descriptive name, The Pre Incarnate Christ.
The Angel of the LORD:
- Hagar is promised a son i.e. Ishmael [Gen 16:7-14] .
- Abraham is stopped from taking Isaac’s life, and the promise of many descendants.[Gen 22:11-18]
- Moses and the burning bush [Ex 3:2-5].
- Balaam ass saw The Angel standing in the way of Balaam [Num 22:22-35].
- He spoke to all Israel at Bochin i.e. Weepers [Judg 2:1-5].
- He cursed Meroz [Judg. 5:23].
- Gideon is promised victory over the Midians an offered a burnt offering to this Angel [Judges 6:11-23].
- Manoah was promises a son i,e, Samson, and again The Angel accepts a burnt offering , he is also called the Angel of God here.[Judges 13:2-25].
- 70,000 men killed by the Angel as judgment on the people for David’s census [1 Chron 21:15-17].
- Elijah is told to talk to the messenger of Ahaziah the king [2 Kings 1:3].
- Elijah was feed food that lasted him 40 days [1 Kings 19:5-7].
- The Angel slew 185,00 Assyrians in the night [2 Kings 19:35; Is. 37:36].
- He stood among the myrtle’s in Zechariah’s vision [Zech 1:11].
- He defended Joshua the high priest against Satan [Zech 3:1-10].
As the Angel of God:
- The Angel of God tells Jacob to return to the Land [Gen 31:11.13].
- All of Israel saw Him as the pillar of cloud [ Ex 14:19].
- In the Psalms His praises as the protector and keeper of his people are sung.
The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them. Psa. 34:7Let them be like chaff before the wind, with the angel of the LORD driving them on!
Let their way be dark and slippery, with the angel of the LORD pursuing them! Psa. 35:5-6
When the Angel of the LORD appeared to Moses in the burning bush. Moses asked what His name was.
Then Moses said to God,
“If I come to the people of Israel and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ what shall I say to them?” 14 God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’” Ex. 3:13 -14
Even in Hebrew “I am” should be followed by a noun, verb or adjective. Messiah himself uses this same improper grammar.
Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.” John 8:58
And again He used same improper grammar on the night He was arrested. (Many translations add a “he” so that the sentence is proper in English, it is just not there in the Greek.)
When Jesus had spoken these words, he went forth with his disciples across the Kidron valley, where there was a garden, which he and his disciples entered. 2 Now Judas, who betrayed him, also knew the place; for Jesus often met there with his disciples. 3 So Judas, procuring a band of soldiers and some officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees, went there with lanterns and torches and weapons. 4 Then Jesus, knowing all that was to befall him, came forward and said to them, “Whom do you seek?” 5 They answered him, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus said to them, “I am.” Judas, who betrayed him, was standing with them. 6 When he said to them, “I am,” they drew back and fell to the ground. 7 Again he asked them, “Whom do you seek?” And they said, “Jesus of Nazareth.” 8 Jesus answered, “I told you that I am; so, if you seek me, let these men go.” John 18:1-8
It could not be any more clear that the Messiah is and claims to be the Angel of the LORD. He set aside His diety and took on a body so that we could better understand Him.
For in him the whole fulness of deity dwells bodily, Col. 2:9
And because God is not limitted by time and space, He has always had his body.
the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. Rev. 13:8b