LESSON 3-B

Your Creator and Redeemer

Your Savior's Ancient Existence

    Ever since the episode in the Garden of Eden when Adam and Eve partook of the forbidden fruit, mankind has been under a curse for his actions. The earth is no longer fruitful as it should be, and thorns and weeds are commonplace. Sin rules our world and society. For 6,000 years man has been allowed to go his way and to whatever he wishes with a minimum of interference from Yahweh. The record that he will leave in his quest to rule himself will be a public account for all to view and know in the ages to come.

   The promise of a Redeemer was given first to Eve and Adam (Genesis 3:25), then to a few chosen people down through history, with Abraham and his descendants selected to carry the message of redemption to the world. Ancient Israel was to live His laws and become an example of the blessings that would accrue when a nation followed Yahweh's way of life and obeyed Him. Israel was to be a model for all other nations to follow. Blessings would be given for obedience.

   But instead of being a good example, Israel began to follow the pagan ways of peoples around them. The history of Israel is one of commandment breaking and disobedience, sparked by worship of pagan deities of the world.

   The Old Testament sacrificial laws were given to cover the sins of the people. Yahweh Himself described the mode of sacrifice and gave details on how He wanted these sacrifices made. The Book of Leviticus is almost a verbatim statement of the very words of Yahweh. Each of the sacrifices mentioned in Levities is a picture of the atoning work that would later be accomplished by the Messiah. There are five main offerings listed in Leviticus in addition to the feast days and other regulations of worship.

   It was possible, therefore, to have sins covered by animal sacrifices enjoined by Yahweh, because these sacrifices pointed to the true redemption that would come in the promised Redeemer. The animal chosen for sacrifices was to be without blemish, typifying the purity and sinless character of the One who would bear the sins of the world.  It is impossible for an animal to sin because brute beasts act with instinct. But animal life is not as precious as that of a sinless, holy being.

The Angel Who Was Yahweh

   In the pages of the Old Testament there appear references and allusions to Beings who are more than human. Although they have the appearance of humans, they are of a higher form. One of these is called malak in Hebrew, translated angel in English. It means messenger. The bible speaks of angels, and the Messiah acknowledged that there were such celestial beings, Matthew 26:53.

   These angelic beings are evidently invisible to the human eye. They are not of a material essence but are composed of spirit, which can't be seen by humans. The Messiah likened the spirit realm to wind, John 3:8. It can also be similar to gravity, electricity, magnetism, etc., all of which are forces or energy we cannot see. We can see the results of their activity, however. So is the spirit realm. It is not something we can taste, smell, feel or hear with our senses. Angelic beings can appear to humans as men if they desire, however. They can talk and reason and carry on common human activities. Or they can remain in the spirit realm and be unseen. Hebrews 13:2 says, "Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares."

   A most interesting figure that appeared to a number of Old Testament people was "the Angel of Yahweh," found first in Genesis 16:7. This celestial Being is no ordinary angel in the Old Testament. He first appears to Hagar after Sarai has afflicted her and she is fleeing. The Angel of Yahweh tells her to return to her mistress and submit to her. He prophesies that he will "multiply thy seed exceedingly, that it shall not be numbered for multitude." He then tells Hagar that the son she will bear shall be named Ishmael, because Yahweh has heard her affliction, Verse 11. Verse 13 shows that this "Angel of Yahweh" is referred to as Yahweh Himself. The sense of the statement, "Have I also looked after Him that sees me," is better translated, "Do I still live after seeing El?"

Yahshua as Yahweh "Then Yahweh rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from Yahweh out of heaven," Gen. 19:24. The Yahweh who dealt with man in the Old Testament was Yahshua himself.

   Genesis 18 tells of three celestial beings who visit Abraham in the plains of Mamre. Yahweh had spoken to Abraham directly in the 17th chapter. It is not surprising then to see that Abraham recognizes Yahweh in Verse 3 and prepares a meal for the three visitors. It is obvious that in this chapter, Abraham is speaking to Yahweh of the Old Testament. Not only does He promise that Abraham would be the father of a mighty nation, but also that the world will be blessed through Abraham's progeny. Additionally, Abraham pleads for the sparing of the city of Sodom if there were but 10 righteous.

   Another appearance of the Angel of Yahweh takes place when Abraham is about to slay his son Isaac on Mount Moriah. Just before plunging the knife into his son, Abraham hears "the Angel of Yahweh" call to him, telling him not to harm Isaac: "Now I know that you fear Elohim, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son from Me," Genesis 22:12. This "Angel of Yahweh" equates himself with Elohim by stating that Abraham had not withheld the life of Isaac from Him. Abraham's willingness to sacrifice Isaac proved to the Angel that he was willing to obey Yahweh in all things.

   Notice in Genesis 22:15-18 that the Angel of Yahweh called to Abraham the second time and said, "By Myself have I sworn, says Yahweh...." In no uncertain terms the Angel makes Himself known as Yahweh. He is called the messenger of Yahweh, but then in turn calls Himself Yahweh.

   Notice in Judges 6:11 an Angel of Yahweh comes to Gideon and gives him reassurance that something might be done to save Israel from the Midianites (verses 12-14). In Verse 14, He is called Yahweh. In Verse 16 is the reassurance that Yahweh will be with Gideon. In Verse 20, the Angel of Yahweh again appears and touches the cakes and flesh with His rod and fire consumes them. The Angel of Yahweh then departs and Gideon is terrified that he has seen an Angel of Yahweh face-to-face. Understand that Verses 23 and 24 refer to Yahweh. Gideon is afraid because he has seen Yahweh face-to-face, and fears for his life.

   Moses also wanted to see the face of Yahweh in its full glory and asked to do so in Exodus 33:18. His request is refused, but Moses is told that he will be able to see Yahweh's backside as He hides Moses in the cleft of the rock, Verse 22. However, no human is able to look upon the full shekinah glory of Yahweh and live, Verse 20.  It is this fear that took hold of Gideon and some of the others who knew they had seen Yahweh of the Old Testament and they fully expected to die.

   The covenant Yahweh made with Israel is in Exodus Chapters 20-23, and is read to the people and ratified in Chapter 24, Verses 1-8.  Chapter 23 of Exodus is especially noteworthy because it says the people should keep the Sabbatical year, Verses 10-11; the weekly Sabbath, Verse 12; and not mention the names of pagan deities, Verse 13. The holy days are then mentioned.

   Verses 20-23 tell of the Angel that Yahweh is planning to send with the children of Israel to bring them across the Jordan. Israel is cautioned to obey Him and not rebel, because Yahweh's Name is in Him. It is this Angel of Yahweh that carries Yahweh's Name. He is the one that Israel saw and heard. He was the pillar of cloud in the day and a pillar of fire at night. This angel the Jews called the Metatron, the chief executive officer who carried out all the directives of Yahweh Himself.

   Notice the account of the burning bush in Exodus where the Angel of Yahweh appeared to Moses in the bush. Scripture says "Yahweh" noticed when Moses turned aside to see the bush that was not consumed, Verse 3. And it was "Elohim" that called to him out of the midst of the bush, Verse 4. First it's the Angel of Yahweh, then it is Elohim who calls out of the bush. This is no ordinary Angel! In the conversation between Moses and Elohim (Verse 5 to the end of the Chapter), Elohim promises that He will deliver the children of Israel from the bondage of the Egyptians. The Angel was Yahweh.

   When Moses is told that he must go to Pharaoh and ask him to release Israel, Moses feels inadequate and is given reassurance that Elohim will go with him. But Moses asks what he should tell the Israelites is the Name of the One who will deliver Israel. In Verse 14, Yahweh reveals His Name to Moses and says He is the Mighty One of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. He says that is His Name forever unto all generations, Verse 15.

   This Being that appeared in the Old Testament as the Angel of Yahweh was actually Yahweh Himself who made Himself visible to the people. He is the One Israel heard thunder the Ten Commandments from Mount Sinai. He is the One who physically created the heavens and the earth. He is the Yahweh of the Old Testament.

Manoah Told Yahweh's Name "Wonderful"

   Manoah and his wife, who were later to become the parents of Samson, were visited by an angel, Judges 13. Verse 3 tells us that it was the Angel of Yahweh who appeared to the woman and promised that she would bear a son, warning her not to drink wine or strong drink nor to eat anything unclean, Verses 4-5. The Angel looked like a man but had an awe-inspiring appearance, Verses 6-7. She told the account to Manoah who in turn prayed that the Man of Elohim would come again and confirm the promise, Verse 8. Verses 9-11 tell of the appearance of the Angel again, and when Manoah asked Him whether He was the Man who spoke to his wife, the answer was "I am."

   Manoah asked what His Name might be so that when the expected Samson is born they might give Him the honor, Verse 17. Take special note of the Angel's answer in Verse 18. "Why do you ask thus after My Name seeing it is secret?" The Hebrew "pilyi" is here translated secret, but it is the same word translated "wonderful" in Isaiah 9:6. The verse in Isaiah refers to the Messiah: Wonderful, Counselor, the Mighty El, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace are all appellatives of the promised Messiah.

   After ascending in the flame of the altar, the Angel of Yahweh no longer appeared to Manoah and his wife. Manoah feared for his life because he knew that he had seen Elohim. But his wife reassured him that the Angel could have killed him earlier, but chose to accept the burnt offering, Verse 19-23. In all these specific instances, the Angel of Yahweh appears as a man and is often mistaken for a man.

Universal Truth	The use of the plural "Elohim" and "us" of Genesis 1:1 and 26 in connection with the creation shows that Yahshua was with Yahweh primevally and with Him created the universe.

Yahshua in the Old Testament

   In Genesis 19:24 we read of the Yahweh on earth raining down brimstone and fire from the Yahweh in the heavens. This is difficult for some to understand, but the One who appeared to men in the Old Testament as Yahweh was also the One who created the universe.

   The Yahweh who was seen and heard was none other than Yahshua Himself before He came to this earth at Bethlehem. The Yahweh who rained brimstone and fire on Sodom was Yahshua before He came as a babe to Bethlehem. He received His power and authority to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah from the invisible Father Yahweh who has always stayed in the spirit realm. It was Yahshua who was the Yahweh of the Old Testament and who appeared to Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. He it was who drove them out after providing them with proper coverings for their nakedness.

   This may sound confusing, but if we remember that Genesis 19:24 speaks of two Yahwehs--one on earth and one in heaven--and recall that an Angel is to have Yahweh's Name to guide Israel here on earth, it is clearer. The Heavenly Father Yahweh Himself has never been seen at any time. He has always stayed in the spirit realm, never coming down to the physical realm where mankind lives. He has provided a way for us to come to His level through Yahshua.

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