The Pre-Incarnate Christ
The Angel of the LORD
The Pre-Incarnate Theophanies
Description
Throughout the Old Testament, a mysterious figure called 'the Angel of the LORD' appears—distinct from ordinary angels and identified with YHWH Himself. He speaks as God, accepts worship, and exercises divine prerogatives. This Angel appeared to Hagar, Abraham, Jacob, Moses, Gideon, and Manoah's wife, among others. He is called 'God' yet is sent by God, speaks for God yet is God. The early church fathers identified this Angel as the pre-incarnate Christ—the second person of the Trinity manifesting visibly before the incarnation. These appearances foreshadowed and prepared for the full incarnation in Bethlehem.
Key Verses
And the angel of the LORD said unto her, I will multiply thy seed exceedingly... And she called the name of the LORD that spake unto her, Thou God seest me.
And the angel of the LORD called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham... now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me.
And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush... Moreover he said, I am the God of thy father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.
And the angel of the LORD said unto him, Why askest thou thus after my name, seeing it is secret?... And Manoah said unto his wife, We shall surely die, because we have seen God.
And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.
And he said, Nay; but as captain of the host of the LORD am I now come... Loose thy shoe from off thy foot; for the place whereon thou standest is holy.