Divine Shema
Let them be as chaff before the wind; and let the angel of the Lord chase them. Psalm 35:5
Angel Of The Lord – There are about 100 occurrences of the noun combination malak YHWH, malak elohim or some similar construction. This being is not like other angels. He is not simply a messenger. He is also the performer of the divine message. In fact, over and over the malak YHWH arrives as Israel’s benefactor, providing security, guidance, protection and defense. While he brings the word of YHWH, he also is YHWH’s instrument to carry out that word.
In several particularly difficult passages, the malak YHWH appears to be treated as YHWH Himself. This is especially true in the paradigm encounter of Moses and YHWH at the burning bush. The malak YHWH appears in the bush, but Moses speaks with YHWH and YHWH answers Him. Here we see that the malak YHWH is so closely identified with YHWH that we are unable to distinguish the two (although German higher criticism has attempted to do so by claiming that two or more “sources” are involved in this story). Von Rad and Fabry clarify some of this linguistic puzzle by pointing out that when YHWH acts apart from the company of men, He is Elohim or YHWH, but when He acts in the company of men, He appears as the malak YHWH or the malak Elohim. In other words, the malak YHWH is a phenomenological account of God with us, a “living portrayal of an encounter with God.”[1]
Job 33:22-25 adds another significant factor to our understanding of the malak YHWH. In this passage, the malak YHWH is described as the one who defends the righteous by offering a ransom for him. He delivers the accused from the Pit. On the other hand, in Malachi 3:1-5 we see the malak YHWH as the heavenly prosecutor of those who disobey God’s covenant. If these descriptions don’t remind you of Yeshua, then you need to read this again.
Nice to know, but does it really matter? Actually, it matters a lot because if the malak YHWH is “God with us,” then we are confronted with some other facts about this living portrayal of an encounter with the holy God. One of those facts is this: the malak YHWH is the protector, defender, guide and deliverer of Israel! He is God’s instrument of salvation and judgment for Israel. He hears and obeys the word of YHWH, executing it among the children of Israel. He is the living Shema, sent to the living witness of God’s goodness, Israel. Suddenly Yeshua’s statement, “Was I not sent to the house of Israel?” takes on a considerably different interpretation. If Yeshua is the malak YHWH, then the focus of His actions is Israel, not the world of Mankind. Through Israel, God calls the nations. The malak YHWH executes God’s active call among God’s people in order that they may fulfill their purpose – and the nations will be blessed. Maybe we have to rethink a few things. If we are to serve the Savior, maybe we need to be directly connected to the house of Israel where the malak YHWH is manifest.
Topical Index: Angel of the Lord, malak YHWH, Psalm 35:5, Job 33:22, Malachi 3:1
[1] Fabry, “mal’ak”, TDOT, Vol. 8, p. 321.
Maybe that’s why Paul says we are children of Abraham if we are counted as righteous by God (Galatians)? It creates that direct connection to Israel. Like where we are grafted into the tree. (I’m sorry I don’t have references for these, and I might have horribly slaughtered them – my time in the morning is limited by the littles). Is that why Paul was sent to the nations? Which would be even more significant if us gentiles are reached through Israel (and makes me wonder how much more effective our churches would be if we would acknowledge our connection to Israel).
So what happens if God’s people aren’t obedient and don’t fulfill their purpose (is that possible?)? Does that mean the nations aren’t blessed (although I think that the answer to this would depend greatly on the type of blessing of which we speak)? Very interesting.
Yeshua called Israel to return to the ways of YHWH (Torah) in order that Israel would fulfill its purpose. While Israel rejected idolatry after the Babylonian captivity, it was still not fulfilling its purpose of being a magnet to the nations. Paul realized this and began the great invitation. We are the result. Once we are adopted into the Kingdom – the house of Israel – then we must take up the same purpose – to be magnets of righteousness that attract the nations to the Lord.
In my deep studies of the Bible scriptures, I have found that God is the ultimate author. In researching the “man” who keeps showing up throughout the scriptures, and whose “likeness” in ABOVE the throne of YHVH (Ezekiel 1:26), I have found the most interesting evidence that it is none other than Yeshua/Jesus.
Malachi 3:1: “Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me; and the Lord, whom you seek, will suddenly come to his temple; and מלאך הברית the messenger of the whom you desire, behold, he comes!” says the LORD of hosts.
Hebrew is read from right to left. Notice the small Hebrew letter, second from the left, in the Hebrew phrase “messenger of the covenant”. It the Yod, and the first letter of the name, Yeshua. Counting every 374 spaces, we find each of the letters of Yeshua’s name. Finding His name encoded in the book of Malachi, whose name means “My Messenger or Messenger of (God)Yahweh” is amazing in itself.
The Gematria of 374 has very interesting meaning. It is the Greek word meaning “MINISTER”
διακονησαι G1247 diakoneo / minister Mat 20:28 . In context, this verse shows, through Yeshua’s teaching, that the greatest among us would be a MINISTER, or servant.
Yet there is more! In the Gematria of the Hebrew portion of Malachi 3:1 below, we find a further clue to the identity of this Divine messenger.
and the Lord, whom ye seek,
shall suddenly come to his temple = 2148
This is the Gematria of the GREEK phrase “God was manifest in the flesh” found in 1st Timothy 3:16
This is certainly found here by no coincidence.
And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory. 1st Timothy 3.16 KJV
God was manifest in the flesh = 2148 = Theos ephanerothe en sarki
In the deep level of study that is called the SOOD, or foundation by the Jewish Rabbis, the truth is revealed and confirms the surface text.
Just as the total Gematria of Isaiah 53:11 totals 3168, which is one of only two spellings for LORD JESUS CHRIST, it reveals the mission of our LORD and SAVIOR, the MEDIATOR between God and man.
He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied:
by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many;
for he shall bear their iniquities. [Sum of Isa 53.11] = 3168
The Mediator between God and men [2 Tim 2.5] = 3168
Knowing that God is the author of the scriptures, and also the author and finisher of our faith, makes a big difference when confronted with skeptics who don’t believe, and speak only out of their ignorance.
My brothers and sisters in the household of God, we can KNOW the truth and the truth sets us free from the errors, from lack of faith and from unbelief. Belessed be our God and King, the author AND Mediator of the covenant.
Amen
Shalom,
Absolutely marvelous Skip!
These wonderful threads weave throughout The WORD … and this is why The WORD is (I will say it once again) the Glory of Yeshua revealed!
Do we really think that Yeshua was not acting when … Genesis 22,15 And the angel of the LORD called unto Abraham a second time out of heaven, 22,16 and said: ‘By Myself have I sworn, saith the LORD, because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son, 22,17 that in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the seashore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies; 22,18 and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast hearkened to My voice.’
Do we think it was not Yeshua Who gave to Moshe the Words on tablets?
When we realize that The Words (mitzvot, chukkot, mishpatim … Torah) are Yeshua and this is way more that mere character reflection but rather divine purpose unto itself …. then the whole paradigm shifts … does it not?
When the shift takes place we then realize that submission and obedience and carrying out the Torah is the purpose … that purpose … separation of light and dark so that the seed of unrighteousness does not inherit the Earth (see Isaiah) … and of course the receipt of all the promised blessings resulting thereof!
Unless believers understand that Sh’ma Yisrael is that invitation there will be serious problems in satisfying the good PURPOSES of ELOHIM!
Now Skip … as far as us being the result of Paul extending the great invitation? Is it fair to say that if we do not take up the same purpose as the house of Israel that we are not willing to accept the terms of adoption? And pray tell what happens if we refuse adoption?
Anyway … a commentary that could command weeks and weeks of study and sharing! 🙂
Fundamentally, our Lord’s message was Himself. He did not come merely to preach a Gospel; He himself is that Gospel. He did not come merely to give bread; He said, “I am the bread.” He did not come merely to shed light; He said, “I am the light.” He did not come merely to show the door; He said, “I am the door.” He did not come merely to name a shepherd; He said, “I am the shepherd.” He did not come merely to point the way; He said, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life.” –J. Sidlow Baxter
And He was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and His name is called The Word of G-d. (Revelation 19.13)
And on His robe and on His thigh He has a name written, “KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.” (Revelation 19.16)
And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are You to take the book and to break its seals; for You were slain, and purchased for G-d with Your blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation.
(Revelation 5.9)
Shalom Skip In regards to Today’s Word I do understand all of what has been exposed, the only thing that puzzled my mind is when you say and I quote: “maybe we need to be directly connected to the house of Israel where the malak YHWH is manifest.” What do you mean by being connected? Are not we because they rejected Him “grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing sap from the olive root”? Ro.11:17. Or perhaps I lost some of the meaning due to my translation to spanish.
Hi Benny,
You are right. We are grafted it. But God’s grafting requires our display of obedience. So, those who are part of Israel live and act as Israel. We take on the obligations of the Kingdom for the joy of being His witnesses. We live according to His instructions. We follow Torah. To say that we are grafted in but we don’t have to live according to His covenant is like saying that I can be a citizen of Peru but I don’t have to follow any of the laws of Peru. I would soon be either deported or in jail.
Any connection of “malak” with “melek” – king?