Misread 18: Angel of the Lord

The statement that "messenger language does not always mean a created angel" highlights an important biblical pattern. When the Bible speaks of a messenger, particularly "the Angel of the LORD," it does not exclusively refer to a created spiritual being. Instead, it can signify a manifestation of God himself, bearing his presence directly, speaking his very words, and commanding the reverent fear due to divinity.
This understanding is rooted in Old Testament narratives that consistently portray "the Angel of the LORD" as interchangeable with God. For example, in Exodus 3:2-6, "The angel of the LORD appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush," yet this same entity declares, "I am the God of your father." Similarly, in Judges 13:17-22, after an encounter with "the Angel of the LORD," Manoah concludes, "We shall surely die, for we have seen God." These accounts prepare readers for the concept of God's visible presence, demonstrating how divine encounters could occur before the incarnation, which John 1:14 later describes: "The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory."
This biblical pattern assures us that God has always sought to make himself known and visible to humanity. It reveals that the ultimate fulfillment of these divine appearances is found in Jesus Christ, who is the Word made flesh, the perfect revelation of God's glory. Understanding this continuity from the Old Testament to the New deepens your appreciation for the incarnation, showing that the Son’s coming completed and illuminated prior divine manifestations, rather than introducing an entirely new theological concept.