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Jesus was the Angel of the Lord in the Old Testament? Sam Shamoun Explain
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Jesus was the Angel of the Lord in the Old Testament? Sam Shamoun Explain

Understanding Malachi 3:1 and the Angel of the Covenant

The Prophecy in Malachi 3:1

  • The speaker references Malachi 3:1, which states that God will send a messenger to prepare the way before Him, indicating a significant prophetic announcement.
  • The speaker emphasizes that this messenger is identified as the Lord Jesus, highlighting a connection between the prophecy and Christ's coming.
  • The term "messenger" translates from Hebrew as "Malik," meaning angel. This establishes that an angelic figure is sent ahead of God to prepare His way.
  • The speaker clarifies that "angel" simply means messenger in both Hebrew (malak) and Greek (angelos), not necessarily implying a spiritual being with wings.
  • It is asserted that this messenger will precede another figure referred to as "the Lord," who is described as coming to His temple.

Identifying the Messenger

  • The discussion continues by identifying this messenger as "the angel of the covenant," emphasizing his role in mediating God's covenant with Israel.
  • A transition is made to Judges 2:1-5, where further exploration of who this angel might be occurs, suggesting continuity in biblical narrative regarding divine messengers.

Clarification on Historical Misunderstandings

  • The speaker addresses misconceptions about the Assyrian Church of the East (Ntorian), asserting they do not hold heretical views regarding Christ’s nature but affirm one eternal person with both divine and human natures.
  • A historical meeting between church leaders in 1994 is cited to support claims about shared beliefs concerning Christology and Trinitarian doctrine among different Christian traditions.

Exploring Judges 2:1-5

  • In Judges 2:1-5, it describes how “the angel of the Lord” speaks directly to Israel about their covenant relationship with God, reinforcing themes from Malachi regarding divine communication through messengers.

Addressing Misconceptions About Metatron

  • The speaker critiques claims about Metatron being Jesus' name during pre-existence, challenging others to provide evidence for such assertions since Metatron does not appear in Hebrew scripture.

Understanding the Angel of the Covenant

The Role of the Angel in Judges 2:1-5

  • The speaker emphasizes the importance of focusing on Judges 2:1-5, where the angel of the Lord asserts his role in making a covenant with Israel.
  • The angel claims ownership of the covenant, stating that he swore to their fathers and will not break it, highlighting his authority and commitment.
  • This assertion positions the angel as not merely a messenger but as an integral part of God's covenant with Israel, indicating a deeper theological significance.

The Identity of the Angel

  • According to Malachi 3:1, this angel is identified as "the angel of the covenant," suggesting he embodies divine characteristics rather than being just a created being.
  • The speaker prepares to illustrate further evidence from Judges 13 regarding Manoah and Samson, reinforcing that Jesus is this prehuman angel distinct from God.

Manoah's Encounter with the Angel

  • In Judges 13:17-18, Manoah questions the angel about his name. The response indicates something extraordinary about his identity—he refers to himself as "wonderful."
  • This encounter reveals that while Manoah perceives him as a man sent by God initially, there’s an eventual realization that he is indeed more than just a human figure.

Significance of Name Inquiry

  • When asked for his name, instead of providing one like other angels (e.g., Gabriel), he responds cryptically about its wonderous nature.
  • This suggests that understanding his true essence transcends human comprehension; such attributes are reserved for God alone.

Recognition and Revelation

  • After realizing who he truly is, Manoah expresses fear upon understanding they have seen God. This acknowledgment underscores both reverence and recognition of divine presence.
  • The distinction made between seeing an ordinary man versus recognizing him as God's messenger highlights significant theological implications regarding divine encounters in scripture.

Understanding the Angel of the Lord

The Nature of the Angel of the Lord

  • The speaker discusses the concept that there is no "inner man," emphasizing that the angel of the Lord is a divine figure, not merely a creature. This angel serves as God's messenger.
  • It is asserted that the angel of the Lord represents God appearing visibly, often in human form, and acts as a mediator for Israel's covenant with God.
  • Reference to Malachi 3:1 highlights that this angel will come to his temple, indicating a significant role in God's plan and suggesting he is worshiped as God.

John the Baptist as Messenger

  • The speaker connects Malachi 3:1 to New Testament interpretations, stating that John the Baptist was sent by God to prepare for Jesus Christ's arrival.
  • In Matthew 11:10, Jesus identifies John as this messenger who prepares for "the angel of the covenant," reinforcing John's pivotal role in biblical prophecy.
  • Acts 19:4 further confirms that John prepared people for Jesus, establishing Jesus' identity as "the angel of the covenant."

Evidence Supporting Jesus' Divine Identity

  • The argument posits that if John prepared for Jesus and he fulfills Malachi’s prophecy, then Jesus must be recognized as more than just a prophet; he embodies divine attributes.
  • The speaker emphasizes how both John and Jesus fulfill their roles according to scripture—John heralding Jesus’ coming aligns with prophetic expectations.

Clarifying Misconceptions about Divinity

  • A discussion arises regarding misunderstandings about respect and heresy within theological discussions on social media platforms.
  • The speaker reiterates key points about John's role in preparing for Jesus, asserting it provides irrefutable proof of Jesus being "the angel of the covenant."

Trinitarian Implications

  • The speaker argues against modalism and unitarianism by asserting that one God exists in multiple persons; specifically noting it was not solely God the Father who became flesh but rather His messenger—Jesus Christ.
  • A reference to Judges 13:18 indicates an enigmatic aspect of God's nature through His messenger's name being described as “wonderful,” linking back to Isaiah 9:6–7 which describes attributes associated with divinity.

Understanding the Titles of Jesus in Isaiah

The Mighty God and Wonderful Counselor

  • The child born is referred to as "wonderful counselor" and "mighty God," titles exclusive to Jehovah, particularly noted in Isaiah 10:21.
  • The term "wonderful" (pale) connects to the angel of God, who identifies himself as wonderful, indicating a divine nature.
  • This child is depicted as both the mighty God and an angel appearing in human form, emphasizing his dual identity.

Greek Translation Insights

  • The Septuagint (Greek translation of the Old Testament) clarifies that the child is identified as "the angel of the great counsel" in Isaiah 9:6.
  • This translation reinforces that even Jewish translators recognized this child as a divine figure distinct from God the Father.

Clarifying Modalism

  • The distinction between Jesus and God the Father is emphasized; Jesus is not merely a manifestation of the Father but rather a separate entity known as the angel of the Lord.
  • Modalism, which suggests that Jesus is just another form of God, is labeled a false doctrine.

Understanding 'Everlasting Father'

  • A question arises regarding why Isaiah refers to Jesus as "everlasting father" despite him being called a son.
  • The term “everlasting father” (abiad or abiad) means “father of eternity,” suggesting he possesses everlasting life without equating him with God the Father.

Implications of 'Father' Title

  • Being called 'father' does not necessitate being God; figures like Adam and Abraham are also termed fathers without being divine.
  • 'Father of eternity' indicates that Jesus possesses eternal life and grants it to believers, aligning with New Testament teachings on salvation.
Video description

the "Angel of the Lord" in the Old Testament is often identified as Jesus Christ before his incarnation. This interpretation suggests that the Angel of the Lord is not a separate angel, but rather a manifestation of God the Son, the pre-incarnate Jesus. This understanding of the Angel of the Lord helps to explain the concept of the Trinity, where God exists as Father, Son (Jesus), and Holy Spirit. The Angel of the Lord is often involved in significant events in the Old Testament that foreshadow the coming of the Messiah, Jesus Christ 00:51 - Who is the Angel of the Lord in Malachi 3:1 03:00 - The Believes of Nestorians in a Nutshell 04:54 - Who is the Angel of the Covenant? 09:44 - What is the Name of the Angel? 11:07 - What is the Name “Wonderful” means 14:19 - Malachi 3:1 was point to John the Baptist? 16:19 - Whom did John prepare the Way for? 24:03 - How can Jesus be the Everlasting Father when he is the Son? While the identification of the Angel of the Lord with Jesus is a common Christian interpretation, some scholars and theologians hold different views. Some argue that the Angel of the Lord is simply a created angel acting as a messenger for God. However, the majority view within Christianity aligns with the idea of the Angel of the Lord as a pre-incarnate manifestation of Christ.