The Old Testament And Theophanies Of Christ
Part of Christology
February 12, 2025

THE OLD TESTAMENT MINISTRY AND THEOPHANIES OF CHRIST

Introduction:

  • Lesson 1 overviewed what the Scriptures have to say about Jesus’ pre- existence (i.e. pre-incarnation, pre-creation) and his preexistent activities of creating, controlling, communing. These actions are transcendent of creation.
  • Jesus did, however, have ministries within creation yet prior to His incarnation. He had an Old Testament Ministry. He would show up in time (history) and speak to people, care for people, protect people, etc.
    -These pre-Bethlehem appearances of Christ are known as theophanies. When He appears in the form of a man, it is known as a Christophany. Often times He was referred to as “the
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    [Messenger] of the Lord.”

1. Appearing To Hagar (Gen 16:6-7, 13)

  • The first reference to the “the angel of the Lord” is in Genesis 16:6-7, where He appeared to Hagar (Sarah’s handmaiden). He is referred to as “the LORD” (
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    ) and “God” (El Roi) in Genesis 16:13.
  • What was Jesus doing? Watching over and supplying
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    .

2. Appearing To Abraham (Gen 18 and 22)

  • He appeared to Abraham to judge

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    (Gen 18:1) and to rescue Isaac (Gen 22:11-13). He is again referred to as “LORD” (Jehovah/Yahweh) in Gen 18:13, 17, 20, 22, 26, & 33).

  • What was Jesus doing? Sharing information, coming through on promises, and making

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    .

3. Appearing To Jacob (Gen 28:13; 32:24-32; 48:16)

  • When Jacob was making his way to Padan-aram he stopped to sleep and encountered the Lord in a dream standing above a ladder that stretched from the earth to heaven.

  • When Jacob woke up he called the name of that place Bethel, which means the house of God.

  • When Jacob was returning to Canaan with his entire household, everyone crossed over the Jordan except him. In the middle of the night he wrestled with the Angel of the LORD.

  • In Genesis 48:16, the Angel of the LORD is said to have

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    Jacob. This can be said of no ordinary angel. God alone is the Redeemer. (Ps 19:14; 78:35; Isa 41:14; 43:14; 44:6, 24; 47:4; 48:17; 49:7, 26; 54:5, 8; 59:20; 60:16; 63:16; Jer 50:34)

  • What was Jesus doing? Blessing those who are willing to

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    in prayer.

4. Appearing To Moses

1) At the burning bush (Ex 3:2-6, 14)

  • Note that the speaker is the Angel of the LORD in verse 2 and then is called
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    in verse 4. Thus, it was actually
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    Who spoke to Moses from the burning bush and declared, “I AM THAT I AM!” (Ex. 3:14)

2) On the Mountain of God (Ex 23:20)

3) In His Glory to Moses. (Ex 33:18-23)

  • What was Jesus doing? Calling Moses to do his will; He is bringing the Children of Israel into the Promised Land –
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    ; He is revealing the glory of God.

5. Appearing To Joshua (Josh 5:13-15)

  • What was Jesus doing? Laying out battle plans and being
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    .

6. Appearing To Gideon (Judges 6:11-24)

  • What was Jesus doing? Revealing His will and raising up a leader.

7. Appearing To Samson’s Parents (Judges 13)

  • What was Jesus doing? Revealing his will and raising up a leader.

8. Appearing To Isaiah (Isa 6:1-13)

  • What was Jesus doing?
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    a man into ministry to go forth with a message.

9. Appearing To The Three Hebrew Children (Dan 3:25)

  • He appeared in the fiery furnace as the

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    man.

  • What was Jesus doing? Going through the fire. He was with them in the suffering and testing.

10. Appearing To Daniel (Dan 6:22; 7:9-14)

  • He appeared to Daniel in the lion’s den and in a vision.

  • What was Jesus doing? He was going through the test with Daniel. He never leaves or forsakes. He revealed prophetic truth.

11. Appearing To Zechariah (Zech 1:8-13; 2:8-11; 3:10; 6:12-15)

  • What was Jesus doing? Dispensing prophetic truth.

Conclusion:

  • John 1:18 states that no man has ever physically seen God [the Father]. John 1:14 then states that His glory has been revealed through Jesus the Son. Putting these two statements together leads us to the conclusion that all visible manifestations of God in the Old Testament were manifestations, not of the Father, but of the
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    .