Angel of the Lord (2)

The status of the angel of the Lord

He is identified with the Lord

The angel of the Lord here speaks for God and is recognised as God and as a messenger from God. This may indicate that the angel speaks on God’s behalf (compare with the role of the prophets) or, as some believe, this may be a manifestation of the pre-incarnate Jesus Christ.

See also ; ; ; ; ; ; ;

He is distinguished from the Lord

2 Samuel 24:16 NASB95

When the angel stretched out his hand toward Jerusalem to destroy it, the Lord relented from the calamity and said to the angel who destroyed the people, “It is enough! Now relax your hand!” And the angel of the Lord was by the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite.

See also ; ;

The angel of the Lord is active in various ways

He calls and speaks

; ; ; ; ;

He has physical contact with people

; ;

He appears in human likeness

; ; ; ; ;

He appears in supernatural form, often evoking fear

; ; ; ; ;

He appears in dreams and visions

; ; ; ; ; ; ;

Functions of the angel of the Lord

He reveals information, often about forthcoming births

Judges 13:3 NASB95

Then the angel of the Lord appeared to the woman and said to her, “Behold now, you are barren and have borne no children, but you shall conceive and give birth to a son.

See also ; ;

He gives guidance and instruction

Acts 8:26 NASB95

But an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip saying, “Get up and go south to the road that descends from Jerusalem to Gaza.” (This is a desert road.)

See also ; ; ; ; ;

He comforts those in need

Genesis 21:17 NASB95

God heard the lad crying; and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven and said to her, “What is the matter with you, Hagar? Do not fear, for God has heard the voice of the lad where he is.

See also ;

He affirms promises and gives blessing

Genesis 22:15–18 NASB95

Then the angel of the Lord called to Abraham a second time from heaven, and said, “By Myself I have sworn, declares the Lord, because you have done this thing and have not withheld your son, your only son, indeed I will greatly bless you, and I will greatly multiply your seed as the stars of the heavens and as the sand which is on the seashore; and your seed shall possess the gate of their enemies. “In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.”

See also ; ;

He leads, delivers and protects Israel

Psalm 34:7 NASB95

The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him, And rescues them.

See also ;

He rebukes sinful Israel

Judges 2:1–4 NASB95

Now the angel of the Lord came up from Gilgal to Bochim. And he said, “I brought you up out of Egypt and led you into the land which I have sworn to your fathers; and I said, ‘I will never break My covenant with you, and as for you, you shall make no covenant with the inhabitants of this land; you shall tear down their altars.’ But you have not obeyed Me; what is this you have done? “Therefore I also said, ‘I will not drive them out before you; but they will become as thorns in your sides and their gods will be a snare to you.’ ” When the angel of the Lord spoke these words to all the sons of Israel, the people lifted up their voices and wept.

He rolls back the tombstone

Matthew 28:2 NASB95

And behold, a severe earthquake had occurred, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled away the stone and sat upon it.

He rescues those in prison

;

He executes judgment on sin

Acts 12:23 NASB95

And immediately an angel of the Lord struck him because he did not give God the glory, and he was eaten by worms and died.

See also ; ;