2026
Christophany: Who Was the “Angel of the Lord” in the Burning Bush?
In the shimmering heat of the Midianite desert, Moses encountered a sight that defied the natural order: a bush that burned but was not consumed. Yet, the greater mystery lay not in the fire, but in the voice. The text of Exodus tells us that “the Angel of the Lord” appeared in the flame, yet this messenger immediately identified Himself as “the God of Abraham.” This presents a profound theological paradox. How can a being be sent by God and yet speak, act, and receive worship as God? For centuries, scholars have utilized the term Christophany—a pre-incarnate appearance of Jesus Christ—as the master key to unlock this ancient puzzle. It suggests that long before the Incarnation in Bethlehem, the second person of the Trinity was serving as the visible presence of the invisible Father.