2 Theophanies; Abram and the Word of the LORD, and Hagar and the Angel of the LORD

Ken Kalis
May 5
5 min read

Abram encounnters the Word of the LORD — And when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and, lo, an horror of great darkness fell upon him. (KJV) Source: http://www.mythfolklore.net/lahaye/016/index.html

I have experienced Abram's horror when the Word of the LORD came to me.
I have also experienced the kindness and love Hagar saw with the Angel of the LORD.
Is this the same God? Why such a difference in the way He comes to us?

Because He made us, loves us, and has a purpose for us as He did for Abram and Hagar.

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The Word of the Lord 1912 BC Ussher

After the appearance of Melchizedek, "the word of the LORD" came to Abram "in a vision" saying, "Fear not, Abram, I am thy shield and exceeding GREAT reward." Genesis 15:1

This is the first time that phrase ("the word of the LORD") is used in the Bible, and since it appears another 243 times in the KJV, it is worth examining closely. Clearly, it is a divine message communicated in a powerful and supernatural way that leaves the recipient no doubt as to its Source.

Here, Moses tells us it came in a vision, which implies a visual element, if not an appearance. John Gill says "Christ, the essential Word, appeared to Abram in an human form, visible to him, and with an articulate voice spoke unto him."

Others are not quite as certain: " The revelation on this occasion is made by night (Genesis 15:5), not however in a dream, but in a trance, in which the senses of Abram were closed to all earthly impressions and he became passive in the hands of the Almighty." Ellicott

As we go through the Old Testament, we will find God speaking to His people in many ways, often without using this language. But when used, it carries with it the property of being a prophetic utterance, i.e., God is revealing something supernaturally to His people, or proclaiming a standard that must be obeyed.

Most of the time, we are not told how "the word of the LORD" came but simply that it did or was recognized by its recipients. In most cases, its delivery is not a theophany but simply a revelation.

This theophany came to Abram over two days, and is the longest we have seen so far. That first day ended with a vision of the stars:

And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be.- Genesis 5:5

God then repeated His promise to Abram: I am the LORD that brought thee out of Ur of the Chaldees, to give thee this land to inherit it. -- Genesis 5:7

Abram asked the LORD how he could be sure ot this promise, and God gave him the tools for entering into a covenant in verses 9-11. This was a graciousness we see only when God has a purpose for revealing the future, and Abram asked in faith and so the ardous process outlined is versess 9-11 and illustrated in the illistration by Gerard Hoet above were given to him.

The process of animal sacrifice that we see here had not yet been given to Moses and God was making this special provision for his need to know and also for our benefit. A great horron seized Abram when he fell asleep and saw what lay ahead for his children.

God uses sleep and dreams to speak to us then and now. Here, we see Him in his omnipotence, omniscience, and majesty. Next, we will see a kinder, gentler theophany.

An angel descends to a seated woman in a green robe near a tree. A man lies in the background. The setting is lush with palm trees. — **The Angel of the LORD Appearing to Hagar,** Nicolas Columbel, 1682, Public Domain

But in Genesis 16: 7-13, we do have a theophany, here presented via "the Angel of the Lord." This is the first time we see this term in the Bible, the first of 65 times in the Old Testament text, and its closely related term or its related "Angel of God" another 12. Sometimes, it is clear that this Being represents Jehovah Himself, but in others, it is another supernatural being, and in some, it is merely a messenger.

This is a dramatic and horrible situation. After 10 years in Canaan, Abram and Sarai grew impatient waiting for the child promised by the LORD and decided to "help Him out." Sarai said to her husband, "Behold the LORD hath restrained me from bearing: I pray thee, go in unto my maid; it may be that I may obtain children by her." Genesis 16:2.

Abram took Hagar, Sarai's Egyptian maid, as another wife and soon sired a child. When Sarai saw this, the very thing she had longed for, she grew furious with Hagar and "dealt harshly with her," and Hagar "fled from her face."

And then we have this remarkable verse: "And the Angel of the LORD found her by a fountain of water in the wilderness," Genesis 16:7. He called her by name and asked where she was going. Hagar didn't know; she just wanted to escape "from the face of my mistress Sarai."

He then said something I don't think she liked, namely, "Return to thy mistress and submit thyself under her hands." But there was more! And the angel of the LORD said unto her, I will multiply thy seed exceedingly, that it shall not be numbered for multitude… Behold, thou art with child, and shalt bear a son, and shalt call his name Ishmael; because the LORD hath heard thy affliction. Genesis 16:9-11.

How very like Jesus this Angel is! He knew Hagar, saw she was lost, and came to save her! He saved her, blessed her, and told her future! She herself saw that He was God: And she called the name of the LORD that spake unto her, Thou God seest me: for she said, Have I also here looked after him that seeth me? – Genesis 16:13.

All of this convinces me that this was a preincarnate appearance of Jesus and reminds me of this verse: For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. – 2 Chronicles 16:9

His eyes continued to watch Abram and Hagar, and the son she was going to have. He love you and me too, and will show up when we need Him.

Why should I feel discouraged, why should the shadows come,

Why should my heart be lonely, and long for heaven and home,

WHEN JESUS IS MY PORTION? My constant friend is He:

His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;

His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

Refrain

I sing because I’m happy,

I sing because I’m free,

For His eye is on the sparrow,

And I know He watches me.

“Let not your heart be troubled,” His tender word I hear,