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Grounded-In-Biblical-Truth | |
Sovereign Grace Doctrines
Concerning 'THE GOSPEL' - JESUS CHRIST
CHRIST AS THE ANGEL OF JEHOVAH
GENESIS 16:7-14
GOOD NEWS FROM THE REDEEMER
DANIEL E. PARKS, PASTOR
MAY 15, 1999 - RADIO MESSAGE #266
Hagar, the maidservant of Abraham the patriarch, had a very significant meeting with a mysterious individual identified as the “Angel of Jehovah” in Genesis 16:7-14. (The words LORD and GOD in all upper case letters in our English text represent the Hebrew tetragrammaton JHVH [or YHVH], which in turn represents God’s name par excellence, Jehovah [or Yahveh].)
Who is this “Angel of Jehovah” who appeared in this and many other instances in the Old Testament (see also Genesis 22:11-14; 22:15-18; 28:12-15 with 31:11-13 & 48:15f; 32:24-30 with Hosea 12:4; Exodus 3:2-4:17; 23:20-26; Joshua 5:13-6:5 [apparently]; Judges 2:1-5; 6:11-24; 13:2-23; Zechariah 3-6)?
I. This Angel of Jehovah is a very special messenger of Jehovah. (Angel = “messenger.”) He is indeed an angel belonging to and/or sent from Jehovah. However, He is not of the angelic order of creatures, as are Michael and Gabriel, cherubs and seraphs.
II. This Angel of Jehovah, although distinct from Jehovah, is nevertheless Jehovah Himself!
1. This Angel of Jehovah bears the divine names. He is named Jehovah / “LORD” (Genesis 16:13; 22:16; Exodus 4:11; 13:21; Joshua 6:2; Judges 6:23; 13:23); Elohim / “God” (Genesis 22:12; 32:30; 48:15f; Exodus 3:6,13; 4:5; Judges 13:22); El / “God” (Genesis 31:13); Jehovah-Elohim / “LORD God” (Genesis 28:13; Exodus 3:15,16; 4:5); Adonai-Jehovah / “Lord GOD” (Judges 6:22); El-Roi / “You-Are-the-God-Who-Sees” (Genesis 16:13); “I AM” (Exodus 3:14). And His name is so transcendently awesome that “it is wonderful” (Judges 13:18).
2. This Angel of Jehovah performed what Jehovah alone can perform (Genesis 16:10; 22:17f; 28:13). For example, in the present instance He promised to give to Hagar a son, and prophesied what manner of man he would be.
3. The presence of this Angel of Jehovah is the divine presence. He is the “Angel of His [i.e. Jehovah’s] Presence” (Isaiah 63:9). Those who saw Him declared “we have seen God” (Judges 13:22). And His presence made the ground “holy” (Exodus 3:5).
4. This Angel of Jehovah received the worship and sacrifices which belong to Jehovah alone (Joshua 5:14; Judges 13:19,23; contrast Revelation 22:8f). He is definitely Jehovah!
III. This Angel of Jehovah is Christ! The appearances of this Angel were appearances of Christ, the eternal Son of God and second person of the Holy Trinity, prior to His incarnation. Therefore, all that has thus far been said of this “Angel of Jehovah” is applicable to Christ also.
1. Christ, like this Angel, is the special messenger of Jehovah. The Father says of Him, “This is My beloved Son. Hear Him!” (Mark 9:7). He is not only the divine messenger, but also the divine message, the Word of God (John 1:1; Hebrews 1:1-2ff).
2. Christ, like this Angel, is Jehovah-distinct-from-Jehovah (John 1:1): Christ is the one who “In the beginning [i.e. from eternity] was the Word, and the Word [who] was with God, and the Word [who] was God.” Christ the Son of God is a separate person from God the Father, but of the same divine essence. He therefore declares “I and My Father are one” (John 10:30).
Consequently: i. Christ bears the divine names, even the transcendently awesome name “Wonderful” (Isaiah 9:6, as in Judges 13:18). ii. Christ performs what Jehovah alone can perform: for example, Christ created the universe (John 1:3) and “gives life to whom He will” and shall be the final judge of all (John 5:21-23). iii. The presence of Christ is the divine presence (Isaiah 7:14 / Matthew 1:23): He is Immanuel, “God with us” (cp. John 14:9). iv. Christ receives the worship and sacrifices which belong to Jehovah alone (Philippians 2:10f / Isaiah 45:23): Jehovah decrees “that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, ... and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord [Jehovah].”
Do you hold Christ in awe, and obey and worship Him?
Your servant for Jesus' sake.
Address all questions to pastor
Daniel E. Parks (2 Corinthians 4:5) e-mail RedeemerBC@aol.com
Pastor, Redeemer Baptist Church
2801 Cleveland Boulevard, Louisville, KY 40206 / 502.899-9205
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