Monday: The Angel of the Lord
Daily Lesson for Monday 7th of July 2025
“The angel of the Lord” appeared to Moses in flames of fire “from within a bush” (Exodus 3:2, NIV). It was the Lord Jesus Himself speaking to Moses “from within the bush” (Exodus 3:4, NIV).
Do not be confused with the title “angel of the Lord” as a depiction of Jesus Christ. The term angel itself simply means “messenger” (Hebrew mal’akh), and it always depends on the context whether this angel is to be interpreted as human or divine (see Malachi 3:1). There are many instances in the Bible where “the angel of the Lord” refers to the divine person (study, for example, _Genesis 22:11,15-18; Genesis 31:3,11,13; Judges 2:1-2; Judges 6:11-22; Zechariah 3:1-2)_. This angel of the Lord not only speaks in the name of the Lord, but He is the Lord Himself. Jesus is God’s messenger to communicate the Father’s Word to us.
Read Exodus 3:7-12. How did God explain to Moses why He wanted to intervene on behalf of the Israelites enslaved in Egypt?
Image © Review & Herald Publishing at Goodsalt.com
The suffering of God’s people in Egypt is colorfully described as a groaning and a deep cry for help. God heard their cry and was concerned (Exodus 2:23-25). He called them “my people” (Exodus 3:7). That is, even before Sinai and the ratifying of the covenant, they were His people, and He would cause them to dwell and prosper (if they would obey) in the land of Canaan, as He had promised their fathers.
God said to Moses that He was sending him to Pharaoh for a specific task: “So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt” (Exodus 3:10, NIV). Again, God calls them “my people.”
What a task God presented to His servant! Moses, therefore, responded with a question: “Who am I?” That is, grasping the significance of what is going to happen and what his role is going to be in all this, Moses wonders why someone like himself would be chosen. Here, early on, we have an indication of his character, his humility, and his sense that he is unworthy of what he is being called to do.
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Why is humility, and a sense of our own “unworthiness,” so important for anyone who seeks to follow the Lord and do anything for Him? |
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Indeed Our God loves us
Nothing we have done good but through his mercy and love ,he rescued us from the bondage
I don't know about you, but in my lifetime, I have not met many people who have had a burning bush experience. I have met some folk who claim such experiences, and typically they talk about it a lot to try and convince the rest of us that they have a message from the Lord for these times. Humility is not one of their characteristics, and often they end up being frustrated that nobody is listening to them.
In today's world, the most effective Christians are not those who claim to have had a supernatural experience but rather those who understand the practical implications of Christianity in everyday life. Sometimes we spend a lot of time defending the supernatural beginnings of our church and we overlook that our very best defence is that we put the supernatural into the perspective of the real world.
Complex number theory lives up to its name - complex, and a lot of people think that mathematicians who talk about imaginary numbers are a bit cuckoo in the head. But some mathematicians have taken complex numbers and applied them to electrical engineering, and given us many of the useful electronic devices we use every day. We don't defend complex number theory, we use it in practical ways that make our lives better.
Supernatural beginnings are one thing, but if we get stuck on the "supernatural" rather than the application to our spiritual wellbeing and responsibility in the natural world, we run the risk of being idol worshippers.
We should be praying for a miracle in our spiritual experience, making the supernatural meaningful in a natural world.
Does God appear visibly or in any other form to human beings today? My thoughts and reflections are as follows, based on my Bible study. God is sovereign; He can manifest Himself in whichever form He desires.
“In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son…”(Hebrews 1:1-2, NIV).
The Bible passage above is saying that in the past, God preferred to reveal Himself through theophanies (like angels of the Lord), fire and cloud, dreams and visions. But after the incarnation of Jesus Christ, God primarily reveals Himself through Jesus Christ (the living Word), the Scriptures (the written Word), and the Holy Spirit dwelling in our hearts. Because God is sovereign, He can adopt His ways of revealing Himself to achieve His divine goal. Yes, God may be appearing to His people today. However, we must be extremely vigilant not to chase visions and signs as the revelation of God. "A wicked and adulterous generation seeks a sign..." (Matthew 12:39). Faith in God is a more assured way of knowing God today than visible signs. “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” (John 20:29).
For those who might be interested, here below are some of Ellen's. G. White's visions and dreams over a period of 70 years (1844–1915).
1. Her First Vision – December 1844 - Shortly after the Great Disappointment of October 22, 1844. Early Writings, pp. 13–20
2. The Great Controversy Vision – 1858 - Spiritual Gifts, Vol. 1, Introduction (pp. 11–14)
3. Health Reform Vision – June 6, 1863 - Counsels on Diet and Foods, pp. 481–482, Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 1, pp. 485–486
4. Education Vision – 1872 and onward - God revealed that education must be Bible-based, character-focused, and connected with practical labour. - Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students, pp. 13–17, Testimonies, Vol. 3, p. 131
5. Publishing Work Vision – Early 1849 and 1850s - God revealed the importance of spreading truth through print, and she was told “Let every believer scatter books like leaves of autumn.” - Life Sketches, p. 125, Early Writings, pp. 74–76
6. Warnings to Church Leaders and Institutions - Visions rebuking, correcting, or warning church leaders and institutions when they strayed from biblical principles. (Testimonies for the Church, Volumes 1–9 (hundreds of examples).
Ellen White always declared and unequivocally asserted the supremacy of Scripture, stating that her role was as a messenger of the Lord, not as a replacement for the Bible.
“The Holy Ghost is the author of the Scriptures and of the Spirit of Prophecy.” – Selected Messages, Book 3, p. 30
“Little heed is given to the Bible, and the Lord has given a lesser light to lead men and women to the greater light.” - – Review and Herald, January 20, 1903 (referring to her writings pointing to Scripture)
God’s character is presented as that of enduring faithfulness and love as seen in His dealings with His people through out history. In the words and reflection of Charles Spurgeon.-“God’s promises are like the stars; the darker the night, the brighter they shine”. Just as the Israelites were groaning under the weight of slavery and God looked upon them with compassion (Exodus 2:25), God sees and know what we go through, His promises, like Jeremiah 29:11, remind us that He has plans for our welfare and not for harm—even when life feels shattered. Our pain does not go unnoticed; instead, it becomes a canvas upon which God's grace and love are made visible.
God calls us to reflect on our own “Egypt” moments—the times when we’ve felt enslaved by circumstances, depression, loss, or fear. It is in those valleys that we experience God’s love that reaches deeper at our lowest. The message isn’t just historical; it's immediate. Whether we’re dealing with financial pressure, fractured relationships, or silent struggles, the same God who delivered Israel is still present, still concerned, and still faithful. Our suffering is not the end of the story—it’s often the beginning of a deeper encounter with His redemptive power.
Hey Maurice, GM. I am currently engaged in an ongoing debate with some friends on a topic from the Sabbath school lesson, taken from Genesis 3, specifically the burning bush experience. It seems as if this one-to-one encounter wasn't the first encounter God had with Moses. In the book Patriarch and Prophets, p.251, Ellen white states that it was during the second phase of the next 40 years that God inspired Moses to write the Books of Job and Genesis. (that I firmly believe) Are there any references that one can look to to verify the fact that Moses wrote these books before the Exodus?
There is a Jewish traditon cited in the Talmud that Moses wrote the book of Job. Some scholars indicate that the language and style of Job is similar to the Torah. And that is about the strength of the argument from historical and literary sources.
Thank you Sir.
When we read the full history of Moses in the Bible it seems that Moses asked this question of who am I because of fear. So my question is the question showing the humility as the writer of this lesson said or the question is due to the way that Moses was afraid ? By reading the story God sent Aaron for help or comforting him in this mission. Help me
There is probably both elements there, though Moses' fears seem to come through more when he's told to speak.
With taking away the details of the enormity of the command God gave Moses, the words, "who am I" would express humility and unworthiness early on of Moses character that he had developed with his 40 years attending sheep, alone with God he had allowed God to develop. Now, with the circumstances of God's command he did have fear, yet he obeyed, in humility trusting God.
A secret dread of Pharaoh and the Egyptians, whose anger had been kindled against him forty years before, had rendered Moses still more reluctant to return to Egypt; but after he had set out to obey the divine command, the Lord revealed to him that his enemies were dead. Patriarchs and Prophets page 255.4
God has a mission for most of us if not all of us. The mission is to spread the good news of salvation. The message of hope to a dying world. Like Moses many people usual come up with excuses of 'WHO AM I'. While it is humility we need to understand that fields are ripe and the harvesters are few, we need to understand that it is not by our mighty but it is God who would accomplish his mission through us. Jesus says if we refuse God would rise the stones to carry the message. So as much as we can not jump to the DeVine call like Mosses or give excuses like Aaron, we have God's work to do. Sometimes instead of excuses and doubts we have to say 'Here Lord I am send me' like Isaih.
All good stuff but am new to this my name is Lisa grimes the point I make as a new learner and my love for Jesus is he came to me I never seek him the word is stop arguing just be love x
May you find blessing of the spirit revealing Christ more and more to you Lisa.
A proud person and full of themself hardly follows the opinion of others. How can a proud person heed the voice of the unseen, such as the Holy Spirit?