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Angel of the Presence

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Angel of the Presence is the angel that brought the Children of Israel out of Egypt, he is also referred to as "His(God's) Holy Spirit."

Origins

"The Angel of The Presence" is mentioned in several places in the Bible.

An Angel

The word "malakh", or Angel, means messenger. Depending on context, the word can mean any individual which executes the office or role of a messenger (which is the literal meaning), or a created spiritual being attendant on God. The latter understanding came about as description of what angels do.

In Exodus 23:20-22, the Angel of the Presence is to be obeyed, and possesses the right to bless or punish.

20Behold, I send an Angel before thee, to keep thee in the way, and to bring thee into the place which I have prepared.

21Beware of him, and obey his voice, provoke him not; for he will not pardon your transgressions: for my name is in him.

22But if thou shalt indeed obey his voice, and do all that I speak; then I will be an enemy unto thine enemies, and an adversary unto thine adversaries.

The Identity of this Angel

From looking at the other verses we can easily discern the identity of The Presence. Deuteronomy 4:37 tells us 'His Presence' is 'His Mighty Power':

“And because He loved your fathers, therefore He chose their descendants after them; and He brought you out of Egypt with His Presence, with His mighty power”-Deut. 4:37

Another clue as to the identity of The Presence is in Isaiah 63:9-10

In all their affliction He was afflicted, The Angel of His Presence saved them; In His love and in His pity he redeemed them; And He bore them and carried them All the days of old.-Isaiah 63:9

But they rebelled and grieved His Holy Spirit; So He turned Himself against them as an enemy And he fought against them.-Isaiah 63:10

Cast me not away from Thy Presence; and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me.-Psa 51:11

From Deuteronomy 4:37 we know that 'The Presence' is His Mighty Power, and from Isaiah 63:9-10 and Psalms 51:11 we know The Presence is also His Holy Spirit. The Presence of God, or Shekinah, has always been associated with the Holy Spirit, or Ruach HaKodesh. This Sacred Entity is an Angel in the most fundamental meaning of the word, denoting His role as Messenger of God.

Some people suggested that the Angel of the Presence, or the Holy Spirit refers to the angel Gabriel, since Luke 1:11 quotes the angel saying "I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God."

However, "standing in the presence of God" is totally different in meaning with "being the Angel of God's Presence".

See also

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