BIBLE TOPICS

This principle of divine representation is seen throughout scripture. We have examples in scripture of angels who carried the name of God. We read in Exodus 23:19-20 that God told the people of Israel that an angel would go before them, saying of the angel, "My Name is in Him". Such was the authority invested in this angel that the people of Israel are told:

"Pay attention to him and listen to what he says. Do not rebel against him; he will not forgive your rebellion, since my Name is in him." Exodus 23:21

So we have a clear connection between the name of God and the authority of the angel acting on the behalf of God. If this principle is understood, light is shed upon many other examples in scripture where it is an angel and not God Himself speaking to a prophet. Now in Exodus we read Moses is told:

"you cannot see my face, for no-one may see me and live." Exodus 33:20

From this we understand that no man has ever seen God face to face. Yet earlier in this chapter we read that:

"The LORD spoke to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend". Exodus 33:11

Now scripture does not contradict itself. Thus in view of the previous statement, it could not have been the God Himself who spoke directly to Moses face to face, because as quoted no man can see God and live. What we see in this account therefore is the angel who carried God's Name. The angel that God told Moses would go before Israel, is the one who spoke to Moses on behalf of God.

If we compare Exodus 3:2 with Exodus 3:4 we see a similar principle, where an angel represents God. In v2 we read:

 "And the angel of the LORD" appeared in the burning bush".

Then in v4 we read:

 "GOD called to him out of the midst of the bush."