My answer would be absolute yes! There should not be any surprise to find Jesus in the OT if he is the pre-existent Son.
It is apparent for several reasons that the “Angel of Yahweh” was the preexistent, preincarnate Christ temporarily manifested in human form prior to his permanent manifestation as Jesus in the NT. It must be remembered that “angel” in both testaments (a[ggelo~ and %a:ål.m;) simply means “messenger.” Every Greek or Hebrew use of “angel,” then, is not a reference to some supernatural being that is less than God. In the OT, specifically, the designation “Angel of the Lord” is given to a divine messenger, God himself in human form. How do we know this?
- The Angel is called God (both Yahweh and Elohim):
| Genesis 16:7 “Now the Angel of the Lord (Yahweh) found her by a spring of water…” Cf. v. 13 “Then she called the name of the Lord (Yahweh) who spoke to her, ‘You are a God (Elohim) who sees.’” Genesis 21:17 “the angel of God called to Hagar,… ‘Do not fear, for God has heard the voice of the lad.’” [Cf. Gen 21:18–19] Genesis 22:11–12, 15–16 “The angel of the Lord (Yahweh) called to him from heaven.” “Then the angel of the Lord called to Abraham.” Cf. v. 8 “God (Elohim) will provide,” and v. 14 “The Lord (Yahweh) will provide.” “God” and “me” in v. 12 both refer to the angel. Also the angel of the Yahweh (v. 15) is the antecedent of “Myself” and “Lord” in v. 16. Also see v. 18 – “Because you have obeyed My voice.” Genesis 31:11–13 “Then the angel of God said to me [Jacob] in the dream,…” Cf. v. 13 “I am the God (El) of Bethel.” Exodus 3:2 “And the angel of the Lord (Yahweh) appeared to him…” Cf. vv. 4, 6–7, 11 (Elohim). Joshua 5:13–15, cf. 6:2 If the man with the sword drawn is the Angel (as most think), he is identified as Yahweh in 6:2. Judges 13:13, 15–16, 18–19, 22 “Angel of the Lord (Yahweh)” Cf. v. 19 “So Manoah… offered it on the rock to the Lord (Yahweh)” [cf. Rev 22:9] Cf. v. 22 “We have seen God (Elohim).” |
- The Angel demands worship (Exod 3:1–6; Josh 5:15), whereas no angel would ever do this (Rev 22:8–9).
- The Angel is not God the Father: Exod 23:23; 32:34; Zech 1:12–13.
- The Angel takes a name given only to Christ—“Wonderful”: Judg 13:18–19 cf. Isa 9:6.
- The “Angel of the Covenant” (a synonym for the Angel of Yahweh) has his way cleared by another messenger, John the Baptist (Mal 3:1, cf. Isa 40:3 and John 1:23–27).
| NAU Malachi 3:1 “Behold, I am going to send My messenger, and he will clear the way before Me. And the Lord, whom you seek, will suddenly come to His temple; and the messenger of the covenant, in whom you delight, behold, He is coming,” says the LORD of hosts. Yahweh, even the Messenger [Angel; %a:ål.m;] of the [New] Covenant (Christ), has His way cleared by another messenger [%a:ål.m;]. NAS Isaiah 40:3 A voice is calling, “Clear the way for the LORD in the wilderness; Make smooth in the desert a highway for our God. The voice in the wilderness prepares the way of Yahweh. John 1:19-23 19 This is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent to him priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” 20 And he confessed and did not deny, but confessed, “I am not the Christ.” 21 They asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” And he said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” And he answered, “No.” 22 Then they said to him, “Who are you, so that we may give an answer to those who sent us? What do you say about yourself?” 23 He said, “I am A VOICE OF ONE CRYING IN THE WILDERNESS, ‘MAKE STRAIGHT THE WAY OF THE LORD,’ as Isaiah the prophet said.” The voice in the wilderness is identified with John the Baptist. John cleared the way for Jesus. Cf. Matt 11:10; Mark 1:2 I.e., the Messenger (Angel) of the Covenant is Christ (cf. Mal 3:1). |
- Historically, Christ is the only visible member of the Trinity, so the Angel logically is Christ (John 1:18).
- The Angel never appears after the birth of Christ.
Stand Firm! 