Read

The Angel of the Lord

Zechariah 1:7-17

While the word "Trinity" with reference to the Godhead does not appear in the Bible, the term arose to describe a clear biblical reality: the tri-unity of God—the doctrine of three-in-one. This is perfectly clear in the New Testament in passages such as Matthew 3:16; 28:19, 1 Corinthians 12:4-6, and 1 Peter 1:2. In the Old Testament there are hints at plurality in the Godhead (Genesis 1:26; 11:7) along with specific references to God and Spirit. References to a coming Messiah suggest a future third person, but manifestations of that Person during the Old Testament period are less exact.

Many believe "the angel of the Lord," seen frequently in the Old Testament, to be an appearance of the Second Person of the Trinity in human form (called a theophany) (Genesis 19:1, 21; 31:11, 13; Exodus 3:2, 4; Judges 2:1-5; 6:11-12, 14; 13:3, 6, 8-11,13, 15-17, 20-23; Zechariah 3:1-6; 12:8). The fact that no appearances of "the angel of the Lord" occur after the Incarnation of Christ supports that view.

The prophet Zechariah's encounters with the angel of the Lord are among the most extensive and detailed in the Old Testament. Zechariah identified the angel as a "man" yet also an angel (Zechariah 1:8-9). The fact that Zechariah addresses the man as "lord" (verse 9) is not proof that the man is deity as the term could have been honorific only. Yet he has authority to speak for God and other beings in Zechariah's vision recognize his authority (verses 9-11).

One of the clearest indications of the deity of the angel of the Lord is in Hagar's encounter with him (Genesis 16:7-13). While not conclusive, there is no reason to doubt that the Second Person of the Trinity could have done in the Old Testament the same thing He did in the New: appear in bodily form.

Back to Zechariah