The Angel of the Lord

“Behold, I send an Angel before you to keep you in the way and to bring you into the place which I have prepared. Beware of Him and obey His voice; do not provoke Him, for He will not pardon your transgressions; for My name is in Him. But if you indeed obey His voice and do all that I speak, then I will be an enemy to your enemies and an adversary to your adversaries.” [1]

The Angel (Angel is the Greek word for Messenger) is the Sent-one by God. He leads God’s people. He speaks God’s Word. God overcomes the enemies of those who obey His voice.

“So you shall serve the Lord your God, and He will bless your bread and your water. And I will take sickness away from the midst of you.” [2]

The Lord blesses food and drink and takes away sickness from our midst. Jesus multiplied bread and often healed ALL who came to listen to Him teach.

“I will send My fear before you, I will cause confusion among all the people to whom you come and will make all your enemies turn their backs to you.” [3]

He fights our battles.

“And Moses took the blood, sprinkled it on the people, and said, ‘This is the blood of the covenant which the Lord has made with you according to all these words.’” [4]

With the announcement of God’s Word and of God’s covenant to His people, there is the sprinkling of blood. Christ is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world by the shedding of His blood on the cross. God’s Word comes to us by grace. Grace to forgive our sins when we do not deserve to be forgiven. Grace to include us in His plan of redemption.

“Then Moses went up, also Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel, and they saw the God of Israel. And there was under His feet as it were a paved work of sapphire stone, and it was like the very heavens in its clarity.” [5]

Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God. After our sin is cleansed away by God, He reveals Himself to us. God enjoys communing with us.

“Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘Come up to Me on the mountain and be there; and I will give you tablets of stone, and the law and commandments which I have written, that you may teach them.’” [6]

The Lord sets His Word in stone. He does not flip flop His position. His YES is YES. His NO is NO. He is altogether dependable.

“And He said to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you that there are some standing here who will not taste death till they see the kingdom of God present with power.’ Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John, and led them up on a high mountain apart by themselves; and He was transfigured before them. His clothes became shining, exceedingly white, like snow, such as no launderer on earth can whiten them.” [7]

“Thank You Heavenly Father for sending Your Angel; Your Messenger; Your Son to us. Your Name is in Him… JESUS… meaning Savior. We experience Your kingdom in Him. Thank You for communing with us, and for showing us Your glory. Thank You for Your promise that as we trust in Your Messenger, Christ, and follow Him, we too, one day, will be transformed. We will see You face to face in all Your glory. Praise be to Your holy Name.”

[1] Exodus 23:20-22
[2] Exodus 23:25
[3] Exodus 23:27
[4] Exodus 24:8
[5] Exodus 24:9-10
[6] Exodus 24:12
[7] Mark 9:1-3