June 7th, 2024
by Robert Presson
by Robert Presson
“The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him, and delivers them.” — Psalm 34:7, NKJV
“Angel” means “messenger.” Two separate kinds of such “messengers” are found in the Old Testament.
When the Bible talks about “an angel of the Lord,” it is referring to an angel. But when the Bible mentions, “the angel of the Lord,” it is referring to a pre-incarnate appearance of Jesus Christ. Some Bible translations even use a capital “A” — the Angel of the Lord. Before Jesus appeared in the flesh, he appeared in many ways to many people. We will look at just a few, though there are many.
In Genesis 22, the Angel of the Lord appeared to Abraham when he was preparing to offer his son on the altar. Here, the appearance of the Angel of the Lord is greatly connected to the substance of the gospel message. A barren woman is going to give birth. A son is offered up. A sacrifice is made for sin — the ram in the thicket.
In Genesis 28, we have Jacob’s Ladder, referenced by Jesus in John 1:51. In this account, there is One who is described as 1) a man 2) an angel and 3) God. This is a pre-incarnate appearance of Christ. This God-man, the Angel of the Lord, wrestles with Jacob until Jacob is conquered and understands that His place before the Lord is one of dependence. He is not in charge any more. This is also a powerful picture of a salvation encounter.
In Exodus 3, we have Moses’ burning bush encounter. Here, “the Angel of the Lord” identifies Himself as God — Yahweh — the Creator. He redirects the course of Moses’ life, giving Him purpose and promising the empowerment of His presence. That is what Jesus does. Through our encounter with Him, He gives us purpose and presence. He is the Angel of the Lord.
————
This blog is an excerpt from Robert Presson’s devotional book, “Look to Jesus: A 30 Day Devotional.” This book is available for a donation of any amount to the ministry. To get your copy, give a gift of any amount at cityrevivaltv.give and enter your mailing address at cityrevival.tv/offer
“Angel” means “messenger.” Two separate kinds of such “messengers” are found in the Old Testament.
When the Bible talks about “an angel of the Lord,” it is referring to an angel. But when the Bible mentions, “the angel of the Lord,” it is referring to a pre-incarnate appearance of Jesus Christ. Some Bible translations even use a capital “A” — the Angel of the Lord. Before Jesus appeared in the flesh, he appeared in many ways to many people. We will look at just a few, though there are many.
In Genesis 22, the Angel of the Lord appeared to Abraham when he was preparing to offer his son on the altar. Here, the appearance of the Angel of the Lord is greatly connected to the substance of the gospel message. A barren woman is going to give birth. A son is offered up. A sacrifice is made for sin — the ram in the thicket.
In Genesis 28, we have Jacob’s Ladder, referenced by Jesus in John 1:51. In this account, there is One who is described as 1) a man 2) an angel and 3) God. This is a pre-incarnate appearance of Christ. This God-man, the Angel of the Lord, wrestles with Jacob until Jacob is conquered and understands that His place before the Lord is one of dependence. He is not in charge any more. This is also a powerful picture of a salvation encounter.
In Exodus 3, we have Moses’ burning bush encounter. Here, “the Angel of the Lord” identifies Himself as God — Yahweh — the Creator. He redirects the course of Moses’ life, giving Him purpose and promising the empowerment of His presence. That is what Jesus does. Through our encounter with Him, He gives us purpose and presence. He is the Angel of the Lord.
————
This blog is an excerpt from Robert Presson’s devotional book, “Look to Jesus: A 30 Day Devotional.” This book is available for a donation of any amount to the ministry. To get your copy, give a gift of any amount at cityrevivaltv.give and enter your mailing address at cityrevival.tv/offer
Recent
Archive
2024
January
April
2023
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
November
2022
February
June
No Comments