Angel of the Lord

Jacob Wrestling with God- Rembrandt

Terminology
Malakh (Hebrew) messenger, angel. The basic meaning is that of a sacred messenger whether human or supernatural. It can denote a prophet (Mal 1:1; 3:1; Hag 1:13) or a priest (Mal 2:7). But generally the term refers to a group of celestial beings called angels, which probably include cherubim and seraphim.

Scripture
Gen 6:11-23; 16:7; 21:11; 22:11; 31:11; 32:24; Exodus 3:6 (1-14); 23:21; 32; 34; Jdg 2:1; Zec 3:1-6.
-    Genesis 6:11-23, the angel of the Lord and Hagar.
-    Genesis 15:1-6, the ‘Word of the Lord’, perhaps more than just a voice.
-    Judges 13:1-23, verse 22 ‘And Manoah said to his wife, “We shall surely die, for we have seen God.”’
-    Jeremiah 1:9, ‘The Lord put out his hand’
-    Exodus 3:1-22, it seems that the angel of the Lord and Yahweh are being equated.

In various texts the angel of the Lord (malakh YHWH) speaks, acts, and receives worship as God. Exodus 3:1-14 the burning bus occasion is a good example when Yahweh reveals his holy name to Moses. Multiple texts fit this same pattern where- different from other angels who REFUSE direct worship and identification with God- the angel of the Lord speaks and acts as though he were Yawheh.

Historically
A look at the early church Fathers will reveal that there was practically unanimous agreement that the ‘Angel of the Lord’ is the pre-incarnate Christ, the Son of God. Ignatuius of Antioch (110AD), Justin Martyr (150-160), Theophilus of Antioch (170-185) Iraneaus of Lyons (180-190). For instance, they would have understood God walking with Adam and Eve as a pre-incarnate Christ- an embodiment of God the Son personified in the Garden, literally walking with Adam and Eve.  Justin Martyr wrote this, “Neither Abraham, or Isaac, nor Jacob, nor any other man saw the Father and ineffable Lord of all creatures and of Christ himself, but [they saw] him who is God the Son, and his angel because of his serving the Father’s will; him who, by his will, became man through a virgin; who also became fire when he talked with Moses from the bush.” Justin Martyr, Dialogue, 127.4

Concluding Thought
It is important to first understand that the title ‘The Angel of the Lord’ is not in itself conclusive or sufficient to provide a clear and concrete answer. Christology, and early tradition, suggests that sometimes ‘Angel of the Lord’ equals the pre-incarnate Logos. But, be careful not to turn every thing, symbol, etc. found in the Old Testament into the pre-incarnate Christ.