Exodus Explained: A Bible Study

The Angel Of The Lord


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Does Jesus appear in the Old Testament?

In Exodus 23:20-33, God promises to send “an Angel” before Israel to guard and guide them. In this study, Dr. Toby Holt makes the case that this Angel is the pre-incarnate Christ.

God says of this Angel, “My name is in him” — a striking clue that this is no ordinary messenger, but the Son of God Himself before His birth in Bethlehem. Dr. Holt traces His appearances throughout Exodus — at the burning bush, the Passover, and the Red Sea. God promises to drive out Israel’s enemies “little by little,” growing their faith through obstacles. He also warns them to make no covenant with the surrounding nations or their gods, lest those idols ensnare their hearts.

Questions this study answers:

1. Does Jesus appear in the Old Testament? Yes. Many believe the “Angel of the Lord” is the pre-incarnate Christ, appearing before His birth in Bethlehem.

2. How can we be sure it is Him? Because God says “My name is in him,” and the Angel speaks and acts as God — marks of deity, not a mere messenger.

3. Why did God drive out Israel’s enemies “little by little”? To grow their faith and avoid unintended harm. God often refines His people through gradual challenges.

“Behold, I send an Angel before you to keep you in the way and to bring you into the place which I have prepared.” — Exodus 23:20 (NKJV)

Speaker: Dr. Toby Holt is the President of New Geneva Theological Seminary, a Reformed seminary in Colorado Springs. He is known for clear, down-to-earth Bible teaching, and his sermons have been downloaded more than 1.9 million times on SermonAudio.

Listen and go deeper: This sermon is part of the Exodus Explained study from New Geneva Theological Seminary. Find more verse-by-verse teaching across the Bible at newgeneva.org. To support this teaching ministry, visit newgeneva.org/give.

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Exodus Explained: A Bible StudyBy Dr. Toby Holt | New Geneva Theological Seminary