The apostasy of the Church leads to several denials, one of which is the denial of the Triune God. Some claim that while Yeshua (Jesus) is not God, He is divine, just like angels are divine, thus reducing the Son of God to a created, fallible being. How is this a heresy considering that one of the theophanies of the Old Testament is called “the Angel of Jehovah” (a name usually translated in our Bibles as “the angel of the LORD”)? In Volume 2 of our “Come and See” series, Dr. Fruchtenbaum writes:
“The Angel of Jehovah is of unique interest for Messianic Christology. The term “Angel of Jehovah” is not to be taken as a title, but, following Hebrew grammar, it always functions as a proper name. This individual is always considered distinct from all other angels and is unique. The term never appears in the plural as “the Angels of Jehovah” or “the Angels of the God,” but rather there are three—and only three—different expressions that are used:
1. The Angel of Jehovah—Malach YHVH, always singular.
2. The Angel of the God—Malach Ha-Elohim, always singular with the definite article.
3. The angels of God—Malachei Elohim, plural, and never with a definite article.
The third of these expressions is used in general terms of ordinary angels. The first two expressions are both used to describe a very special and distinct individual—the Angel of Jehovah.
Consistently throughout the Hebrew text, there is a distinction made between ordinary angels and this unique person referred to as both “the Angel of YHVH” and “the Angel of the God.” He is clearly revealed as being different in stature, nature, person, and essence from ordinary angels.
What the Hebrew grammar is trying to show is that this unique individual is in fact God Himself. In virtually every context in which He appears, He is referred to as both the Angel of Jehovah and Jehovah Himself. There are many examples which show this [and the following is but an excerpt of Dr. Fruchtenbaum’s much longer list of examples]:
In Genesis 16:7-14, there are four references to the Angel of Jehovah (vv. 7, 9, 10, and 11). But then in verse 13, the reference is to Jehovah Himself, and so Hagar names the place “You are a God that sees.”
In Exodus 3:1-5, it is the Angel of Jehovah who is in the burning bush (v. 2), but verse 4 says that God called unto him out of the midst of the bush.
In Judges 13:2-24, He is referred to as the Angel of Jehovah nine times (vv. 3, 9, 13, 15, 16, 17, 18, 20, 21). But then in verse 22, He is said to be God Himself. Note also in verse 18 that this Angel’s name is “Wonderful.” In our study of Isaiah 9:6, it was pointed out that “pele,” the Hebrew word for “wonderful,” is only used of God, never of man or an angel. The very fact that He claims this name for Himself shows that He is not a common angel, but God Himself.”
We encourage you to study the Scriptures diligently. The time has come when people in the Church deny the very foundation of the faith. Get ready!
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