Christian Churches of God
No. 71z
Summary:
The Angel and Abraham’s Sacrifice
(Edition 2.0 19941008-19991213)
The sacrifice of Isaac by Abraham is examined to explain the role of the Angel of YHVH in this activity and to show that God’s Omniscience is not compromised.
Christian Churches of God
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secretary@ccg.org
(Copyright ©1994,
1999 Wade Cox)
(Summary ed. by
Wade Cox)
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The Angel and
Abraham’s Sacrifice
The sacrifice of Isaac by Abraham is examined to explain the role of the Angel of YHVH in this activity and to show that God’s Omniscience is not compromised.
The Bible develops the manifestation of God through this angel or messenger on a progressive and systematic basis.
In the story of the flight of Hagar (Gen 16:7-13), an Angel of YHVH appears, and blesses the descendents of her child Ishmael, and hence the Arab nation. This Angel is interchangeably referred to as Angel of YHVH and “you are the God who sees”. The vision also pronounces the future of the Arab peoples – the violence and turbulence was seen before Ishmael was born.
In Genesis chapter 17, Abraham speaks face to face with YHVH. We know this is not God the Father or Eloah (the singular form of God, hence Allah). So the Arabs and we worship the one God, Eloah or Allah.
So the YHVH who appeared to Abraham is YHVH, Angel of YHVH. He acts for God Almighty, who is the God of Hosts. He is that entity referred to in Psalm 45:6,7 and is therefore the pre-existent Christ.
In Genesis chapter 18 YHVH again appears in a group of 3, who are all called YHVH and there is no distinction made. Thus the multiple messengers carry this name. They act for and in the place of God the Father Eloah. Abraham entreats YHVH for the sparing of Sodom.
The two Beings of Genesis 19 who came to Sodom were messengers (angels, malak) and were addressed as YHVH together and without distinction. Thus we have YHVH applied in an hierarchical sequence – YHVH of Hosts, (God Most High or Eloah) to Elohim of Israel, and to two angels also termed YHVH or elohim. The conclusion from Genesis 19 is that there were 4 specific Beings referred to as God. What are the implications? The answer is that Christ was appearing to Israel and establishing his system through the patriarchs.
At Genesis 20:3,4 a being referred to as elohim came in a dream to Abimelech. Genesis 21:17-20 shows a curious position of an Angel of elohim, also being called elohim in his own right, i.e. Christ.
The Angel of YHVH is that entity who protects and deals with Abraham – protection of Ishmael, and Abraham is given the promise of a son Isaac. This Angel tests Abraham by demanding the sacrifice of this miracle son, Isaac. Genesis 22:11,12 is held to portray that God is not Omniscient. The Being that is not omniscient cannot BE God (Eloah). The Angel of YHVH tested Abraham, and it was that Being that said “Now I know”. Abraham was tested so he could comprehend the extent of his own faith, and the sacrifice was set up to show there would be the sacrifice of a son in the redemption of Israel – i.e. Messiah.
This passage also shows that the Angel, who is clearly subordinate, is not omniscient – so there is relative omniscience among the entities of God’s angelic host.
There are many texts from Job attesting to Eloah’s omniscience – Job 24:1; 28:10,24; 31:4; 34:21-15; 36:4,5; 37:16; 42:2 and from Psalm 1:6; 7:9; 11:4; 33:13-15; 37:18; 38:9; 44:21; 66:7.
These all show that God knows all, but the world doesn’t want a God who sees the thoughts they think. And again, the Lord knoweth the thoughts of the (worldly) wise, that they are vain (1Cor 3:20 KJV).
God thus tries the hearts of men, and their willingness to submit to Him, and how far they will extend themselves in faith (Psa 94:9-11; 119:168).
The elect are in His hands (Psa 121:3,4; 139:1-24;
especially vs.13-16). The Hebrew brings out the extent of His foreknowledge: when I was woven (verse 15); Thine eyes did see my embryo and all my days were written (verse 16).
The Lord upholds His people, and His understanding is infinite (Psa 147:4,5; Isa 40:26; Pro 15:3,11).
God knows the hearts but He tries them. Thus like Abraham, who was tested to the point of sacrificing his son, we are tested to the point of what we are prepared to sacrifice. God knows what we are prepared to do, but like Abraham, we need to be tested so we can know our limitations and commitment.
God knows what everyone in all the nations is up to, and each person will eventually give an account, and will enter into righteous judgment in the second resurrection. The elect are being judged now. The elect of God attain to the first resurrection, and are known according to the omniscience of God (1Peter 1:2).
God’s absolute knowledge enables the spirit of prophecy (Isa 42:9; 44:7).
God has set a plan of salvation for mankind and the fallen host, and it won’t be circumvented. God sometimes establishes nations for the protection of the elect and furtherance of the plan (Isa 45:4).
God declares the end from the beginning (Isa 46:10; 48:3-6; Isa 66:18; Jer 11:20; 17:10 23:24; 32:19
He knows the thoughts of all (Ezek 11:5; Jer 51:15).
God has never forsaken the planet, and has not forgotten the evil of men (Ezek 9:9).
The manifestation of YHVH in the sacrifice of Isaac is therefore incompatible with the nature of God the Father (Eloah) and therefore is attributable to a subordinate elohim.
The test for Abraham established the requirement of faith in the mind of the person, and also the repudiation of human sacrifice had to be established.
The activities of God are all encompassing (Amos 9:2-4).
Daniel shows that omniscience is not relative to position or proximity – i.e. God is not in a temporal location (Dan 2:20-28).
God reveals the plan by stages through the prophets and the elect who are called according to predestination and His Wisdom (Rom 8:27-30).
Those who are called and chosen must be prepared to “sacrifice Isaac”. Their preparation takes place under the Angel of YHVH – who is Christ Jesus.
The Angel of YHVH who watched over Abraham and Isaac, was also instrumental in finding a wife for Isaac (Gen 24:7). God (Eloah) sent His Angel, who is regarded as carrying and exercising the power and authority of God and is referred to as YHVH (Gen 24:39,40, 42-44, 48).
Subordination of the Angel of YHVH does not detract from the authority carried. The messenger is equivalent to the Presence of God, and the Angel itself is a theophanic manifestation.
This elohim is involved in the establishment and selection
of the elect on an ongoing basis. Christ
ensures that each is preserved where necessary to complete the plan of God, and
become the bride of Christ.