Angel of the Lord
Sermon • Submitted
0 ratings
· 9 viewsA title given to those angelic servants of God who are given specific tasks in furthering God’s purposes among humanity. These tasks include the giving of revelations, guidance, encouragement, warnings and the execution of judgment on those who oppose God’s purposes.
Notes
Transcript
The status of the angel of the Lord
The status of the angel of the Lord
He is identified with the Lord
He is identified with the Lord
Ex 3:2–6 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 Ge 16:7; Ge 16:13; Ge 31:11–13; Jdg 2:1–2; Jdg 6:11–12; Jdg 6:14; Jdg 13:19–22; Zec 3:1–2
He is distinguished from the Lord
He is distinguished from the Lord
When the angel stretched out his hand to destroy Jerusalem, the Lord relented concerning the disaster and said to the angel who was afflicting the people, ‘Enough! Withdraw your hand.’ The angel of the Lord was then at the threshing-floor of Araunah the Jebusite.
See also Zec 1:12–13; Lk 1:19; Heb 1:4
The angel of the Lord is active in various ways
The angel of the Lord is active in various ways
He calls and speaks
He calls and speaks
Ge 16:7–8; Ge 21:17; Ge 22:11; Ge 22:15; 2 Ki 1:3; 2 Ki 1:15
He has physical contact with people
He has physical contact with people
1 Ki 19:5; 1 Ki 19:7; Ac 12:7
He appears in human likeness
He appears in human likeness
Ge 18:2; Ge 18:16; Ge 18:22; Ge 19:1; Jdg 6:11–12; Ac 27:23
He appears in supernatural form, often evoking fear
He appears in supernatural form, often evoking fear
Ex 3:2; Nu 22:22–24; Nu 22:31; 1 Ch 21:16; Lk 1:11–12; Lk 2:9
He appears in dreams and visions
He appears in dreams and visions
Ge 31:11; Zec 1:8; Zec 1:11; Zec 3:1; Zec 3:5; Mt 2:13; Mt 2:19; Ac 10:3
Functions of the angel of the Lord
Functions of the angel of the Lord
He reveals information, often about forthcoming births
He reveals information, often about forthcoming births
The angel of the Lord appeared to her and said, ‘You are barren and childless, but you are going to become pregnant and give birth to a son.
See also Mt 1:20; Lk 1:11; Lk 1:13
He gives guidance and instruction
He gives guidance and instruction
Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, ‘Go south to the road—the desert road—that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.’
See also Ge 16:9; Ge 22:11–12; Ge 24:7; Ge 24:40; Ex 23:23; Nu 22:35
He comforts those in need
He comforts those in need
God heard the boy crying, and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven and said to her, ‘What is the matter, Hagar? Do not be afraid; God has heard the boy crying as he lies there.
See also 1 Ki 19:5–7; Ac 27:23–25
He affirms promises and gives blessing
He affirms promises and gives blessing
The angel of the Lord called to Abraham from heaven a second time and said, ‘I swear by myself, declares the Lord, that because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies, and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me.’
See also Lk 1:26–28; Lk 1:30–33; Lk 2:10–11
He leads, delivers and protects Israel
He leads, delivers and protects Israel
The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him,
and he delivers them.
See also Ex 14:19; Is 63:9
He rebukes sinful Israel
He rebukes sinful Israel
The angel of the Lord went up from Gilgal to Bokim and said, ‘I brought you up out of Egypt and led you into the land that I swore to give to your ancestors. I said, “I will never break my covenant with you, and you shall not make a covenant with the people of this land, but you shall break down their altars.” Yet you have disobeyed me. Why have you done this? And I have also said, “I will not drive them out before you; they will become traps for you, and their gods will become snares to you.” ’
When the angel of the Lord had spoken these things to all the Israelites, the people wept aloud,
He rolls back the tombstone
He rolls back the tombstone
There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it.
He rescues those in prison
He rescues those in prison
Ac 5:19; Ac 12:8–9
He executes judgment on sin
He executes judgment on sin
Immediately, because Herod did not give praise to God, an angel of the Lord struck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died.
See also 2 Sa 24:15–16; 2 Ki 19:35; Ps 35:4–6