ChatGPT said:
Great question! Let’s look carefully at Exodus 23:20–23 (KJV):
“Behold, I send an Angel before thee, to keep thee in the way, and to bring thee into the place which I have prepared. Beware of him, and obey his voice, provoke him not; for he will not pardon your transgressions: for my name is in him. But 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. For mine Angel shall go before thee, and bring thee in unto the Amorites, and the Hittites, and the Perizzites, and the Canaanites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites: and I will cut them off.”
Key Observations
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The Angel has God’s authority – He is not an ordinary angel. God says “My name is in him.” In Scripture, God’s name represents His very nature and authority.
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Power to forgive or withhold forgiveness – Unlike created angels, this Angel has the prerogative to pardon (or not pardon) sin (v. 21). Forgiveness is God’s exclusive right.
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Obeying Him = obeying God – Verse 22 says, “obey his voice, and do all that I speak,” showing that God speaks through this Angel in a unique way.
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Parallels to other appearances – This “Angel of the LORD” is consistent with earlier appearances (e.g., to Hagar in Genesis 16, to Moses in the burning bush in Exodus 3) where the Angel speaks as God and receives worship.
Is This a Christophany?
Many Bible-believing commentators conclude yes:
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Matthew Henry: He identifies this Angel as the uncreated Angel of the covenant, the eternal Word, Christ Himself.
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J. Vernon McGee: McGee notes this Angel carries God’s name and authority, unlike any created being, so it points to Christ before His incarnation.
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Other conservative commentators: They agree this is the pre-incarnate Christ, guiding Israel, foreshadowing Christ who would later say, “I am the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6).
Summary
Yes, the “Angel” in Exodus 23 is best understood as a Christophany—a pre-incarnate appearance of the Lord Jesus Christ. He is not a mere messenger but the very presence of God leading His people, forgiving sin, and preparing the way into the Promised Land.
