“Then the angel of God, who had been traveling in front of Israel’s army, withdrew and went behind them. The pillar of cloud also moved from in front and stood behind them, coming between the armies of Egypt and Israel. Throughout the night the cloud brought darkness to the one side and light to the other side; so neither went near the other all night long.”-Exodus 14:19-20
In almost every instance in Exodus Chapter 14 when we come across the words “Lord”, “God” or “Adonai”, the original Hebrew is YHVH.
However, in verse 19 we encounter one of those few times when a different reference to God is used.
We are told the “angel of God” placed Himself between Egypt and Israel.
The original Hebrew here is MALACH ELOHIM and is clearly identified as the cloud that was leading Israel.
Later we will see this cloud rest upon the Holy of Holies in the Wilderness Tabernacles where it will be called the SHEKINAH or “God’s Glory”.
Keep in mind that Scripture assigns different terms to God’s visible manifestations.
For example, we have the MALACH ELOHIM (the Angel of God), MALACH YHVH (the Angel of YHVH), and the SHEKINAH (Glory of God).
Though some might say that these are just different names all pointing to the same thing, I’m not so sure.
I just don’t think we can so easily package God into nice, black-and-white, easy-to-categorize boxes.
And that is precisely why I think the idea of the trinity is super fallacious.
If the trinity is the absolute truth, which box should this “Angel of God” be placed into?
If you hold to the trinity belief, you only have three choices, either the Father, Son, or the Holy Spirt, right?
Well, what some churches will actually teach is that this cloud manifestation was “Jesus” Himself or to use a bloated seminary term, a “pre-incarnate Christ”.
So before Yeshua’s first coming, He had actually visited earth many times before.
Ridiculous and laughable I know, but that’s what happens when you to try to force the all of the many manifestations of the eternal God to fit some arbitrary man-made doctrinal agenda.
I’ve written about this before, but it’s worth saying again.
For the first 200 years, the early church knew nothing of a trinity teaching.
I gave that teaching up after reading the Gospels over and over. I saw no out right reference to Jesus the man preexisting. The statement, “Before Abraham was, I Am” is a prophetic utterance. Jesus the man see and hears what ever the Word of God reveals. The Word of God is not the bible. The Word of God is an entity unto its self. It is an extension of God. “My Word will accomplish what I send it to do”. The Word was sent to live in a body, “A body you have prepared for me”, and “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us”. Jesus the man is a vessel which shares a body with the Word of God. The Word of God and Jesus the man are the Messiah and cannot be separated. When Jesus speaks “I Am”, it is the Word of God speaking. Since they are inseparable the man experiences what the Word experiences. So prophetically Jesus existed before Abraham and saw Abraham rejoicing in the day He was born.
Brother, Have you read the Jewish Targums? Many were read during the Shabbats + holy days of the 1st century.
I CORINTHIANS 10:1 Moreover, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware that all our fathers were under the cloud, all passed through the sea, 2 all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, 3 all ate the same spiritual food, 4 and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ. (NKJV)
In this passage, Paul is continuing an exhortation to the Corinthians to hold fast to their faith in Christ. He tells them that their ancestors, the ancient Israelites, were led out of Egypt by the Messiah. Paul says that those people who were under the supernatural cloud and passed through the parted Red Sea were spiritually fed by “that spiritual Rock that followed them.” Paul clearly states that this Rock was none other than Christ himself!
According to Paul (I Cor. 10:4), the Angel of the LORD was the one who later became Yeshua the Messiah. Unfortunately, the term “angel” conveys a specific meaning to most people today. However, the Hebrew word mal’ak, usually translated “angel” in the Old Testament, merely means “messenger,” one sent with a message. Haggai is called “the LORD’S messenger” (mal’ak) because he brought the words of God to the Jews (Hag. 1:13); Malachi says that people should seek the law from the mouth of a priest, who is a “messenger (mal’ak) of the LORD” (Mal. 2:7).
Let’s look at a couple of key verses in the story of the Israelites’ escape from Egypt:
EXODUS 13:21 And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so as to go by day and night. (NKJV)
EXODUS 14:19 And the Angel of God, who went before the camp of Israel, moved and went behind them; and the pillar of cloud went from before them and stood behind them. (NKJV)
In these verses we see the one who shepherded the Israelites out of Egypt identified. In Exodus 13:21 he is called YHVH. However, in Exodus 14:19, the being in the cloud going before the Israelites is called the “Angel of God” (Heb. mal’ak ha’elohim). How do we explain this apparent discrepancy? Are these two separate entities, or are they one and the same?
Evidence from several sources indicates that the being called YHVH in Exodus 13:21 is the same entity referred to as the “Angel of God” in Exodus 14:19.
The burning bush encounter wasn’t the only occasion on which the Angel of the LORD talked to Moses on behalf of the Most High, God the Father. In Acts 7:38, Stephen states that it was this Angel who spoke to Moses on Mount Sinai after the Israelites initial arrival there, and later on Sivan 6 when the Ten Commandments were delivered to all the people.
The Jerusalem Targum plainly identifies who this Angel was:
EXODUS 19:3 And Moses went up to God [ha’elohim], and the LORD [YHVH] called to him from the mountain, saying, “Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel: (NKJV)
EXODUS 19:3 And Mosheh went up to seek instruction from before the Lord; and the Word of the Lord anticipated him from the mountain, saying, Thus shalt thou speak to the men of the house of Jakob, and teach the congregation of the sons of Israel. (Jerusalem Targum, translated by J.W. Etheridge)
EXODUS 19:7 So Moses came and called for the elders of the people, and laid before them all these words which the LORD [YHVH] commanded him. 8 Then all the people answered together and said, “All that the LORD [YHVH] has spoken we will do.” So Moses brought back the words of the people to the LORD [YHVH] . 9 And the LORD [YHVH] said to Moses, “Behold, I come to you in the thick cloud, that the people may hear when I speak with you, and believe you forever.” So Moses told the words of the people to the LORD [YHVH]. (NKJV)
EXODUS 19:7 And Mosheh came and called the sages of Israel and set in order before them all these words which the Word of the Lord had commanded him. 8 And all the people answered together in the fulness of their heart, and said, All that the Word of the Lord hath spoken, we will do. And Mosheh returned the words of the people in prayer before the Lord. 9 And the Word of the Lord said to Mosheh, Behold, My Word will be revealed to thee in the thickness of the cloud, that the people may hear while I speak with thee, and may also believe for ever in the words of the prophecy of thee, My servant Mosheh. And Mosheh delivered the words of the people in prayer before the Lord. (Jerusalem Targum, translated by J.W. Etheridge)
EXODUS 19:20 Then the LORD [YHVH] came down upon Mount Sinai, on the top of the mountain. And the LORD [YHVH] called Moses to the top of the mountain, and Moses went up. 21 And the LORD [YHVH] said to Moses, “Go down and warn the people, lest they break through to gaze at the LORD, and many of them perish.” (NKJV)
The Jewish Targums discuss “The Word of God” well known to 1st century Jewish listeners. John later identifies The Word of God” as Yeshua, also known as “Angel” or messenger of God.
We found your site in Oct 2015 + we read it during our family Shabbats. We appreciate the wisdom you share especially in His Torah. We also love the New Testament connection. Thank you for your ministry, may the Father and the Son bless you + sustain you. May your heart remain open, pure and always seeking His truth; our lifelong endeavor.
Thanks for sharing Lisa-Marie! Your comments have given me some food for thought. Especially, the Corinthians verse. I mean was Paul speaking metaphorically or literally when he said the rock was “Christ”. And thank you for your prayers. Most appreciative of your positive feedback! May you and your family be richly blessed. Shalom to you!
Thanks Lisa, your explainations greatly help with my scripture studies. I always believe that Truth will never be hidden from the poor in the spirit who diligently seek the scriptures to understand them. I also believe, unclear chapters and verses will always be explained in other Bible versus to prove that certain reasoning is true.Once certain topic of the study is explain, supported and proved behond daubt by the scriptures after scriptures, I personally take it as one of the revealed Truths.
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The Trinity Delusion An exposé of the doctrine of the Trinity
1 Corinthians 10:4
They drank from the spiritual rock that followed them, and that rock was Christ.
Trinitarian Claim
Trinitarians have claimed this verse indicates Christ pre-existed and was with the Israelites during their wanderings in the wilderness.
The Claim vs. The Facts
Paul tells us explicitly in this selfsame context that he is speaking typologically.
The Problems with the Claim
1. Inconsistent Interpretation
Paul says that the Israelites ate spiritual food and spiritual drink. We know the spiritual food the Israelites ate was the manna out of heaven. If the rock from which they drank was Christ himself, are we to suppose the manna they ate was Christ himself?
2. Incoherent Interpretation
Paul said they drank from the rock that followed them. Are we really to suppose that God the Son was following the Israelites wandering around the wilderness? Shouldn’t it be the other way around and Israel was following God the Son?
3. Appeal to Questionable Manuscripts
Trinitarians often try to support this claim with an appeal to a highly questionable version of verse 9:
We should not test Christ, as some of them did—and were killed by serpents. 10:9.
However, the best manuscript evidence does not read “Christ” in this verse. Codex Sinaiticus and Vaticanus read “Lord” rather than “Christ.” Codex Alexandrinus reads “God” rather than “Christ.” Trinitarians simply ignore the important manuscript evidence and cherry pick what suits their apologetic needs.
Analysis of the Facts
1. The Context
For I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud and they all passed through the sea, and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea. They all ate the same spiritual food and all drank the same spiritual drink, for they drank out of the spiritual rock that followed them, but that rock was Christ. Nevertheless, God was not pleased with most of them for they were strewn about in the wilderness. Now these things occurred as types of us so that we would not lust after evil things as they lusted. Do not be idolaters like some of them were, as it is written: “The people sat down to eat and drink and got up to play.” Neither let us commit sexual immorality, as some of them did, and in one day twenty-three thousand of them fell. Neither let us test the Lord as some of them did, and perished by snakes. And do not grumble, as some of them grumbled, and perished by the destroyer. These things happened to them as types and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the ends of the ages has arrived…. Therefore, my dear friends, flee from idolatry. I speak to sensible people; judge for yourselves what I say. Is not the cup of blessing which we bless a communion in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a communion in the body of Christ? Because there is one bread, we, who are many, are one body, for we all share the one bread.
2. The Language of Typology
Paul twice emphasizes that what happened to Israel was a “type” (Greek typos), or typology, of similar things in Christianity. This is why he refers to baptism into Moses, a typology of Christian baptism. This is why he refers to spiritual food and spiritual drink, a typology of the Lord’s Supper. He is about to discuss food sacrificed to idols within the context of the spiritual food and spiritual drink of the Lord’s Supper. Paul emphasizes that the spiritual food and spiritual drink which the Israelites consumed was a typology of the food and drink which Christians share. The Israelites had spiritual food and spiritual drink yet they committed idolatry and were judged for their transgression. Paul is explaining that they were a pattern or “type” of what will happen to us if we do the same and that typology of Israel serves as a warning to us.
When Paul says “the rock was Christ” he is referring to the rock as a typology of Christ in the same way he refers to the Exodus through the Red Sea as a “baptism” into Moses, a typology of Christians baptism. The Israelites were not literally “baptized” into Moses nor did they drink from Christ. As he explains, the Lord’s Supper is a communion in the body and blood of Christ. But Paul wants the Corinthians to understand that they are still subject to judgment. Just because they are blessed with this spiritual food and drink does not mean all is well if they commit idolatry as the Israelites did.
He says they were baptized into Moses which is a portrayal of Christians being baptized into Christ. The Israelites were not really “baptized into Moses.” Paul is using the language of typology. He is showing the Corinthians how Christianity is typologically similar to the story of the Israelites, their deliverance from Egypt, and the subsequent things which happened. So when he says they were “baptized into Moses,” the Corinthian readers were expected to understand that Paul is portraying the Exodus as a typological pattern or picture of Christian baptism. Likewise, when he says “that rock was Christ” he is using the language of typology. That rock from which they drank was a typological picture of the spiritual drink of Christianity in the Lord’s Supper which Paul is about to discuss. When he says they were “baptized into Moses” Paul is showing how the Israelites in the past are typologically like us today when we are baptized into Christ. But when he says “that rock was Christ,” Paul is showing how we today in the spiritual drink of the Lord’s Supper are like the Israelites of the past when they drank from the rock.
It is quite clear that Paul is emphasizing typologies in this passage and so he uses the language of typology. Israelites were not baptized into the man Moses. However, using such language helps people understand how the pattern with ancient Israel and Christianity is the same. Although the Israelites were not really baptized into Moses, Paul uses that terminology so that people make the typological connection between Israel of old and present Christianity. When he says “baptized into Moses” people are expected to think “baptized into Christ.” And he is doing the same thing when he says “that rock was Christ.” People are expected to think their spiritual drink is a pattern of Christianity’s spiritual drink when they share in the blood of Christ. Also see 1 Corinthians 12:13. Paul is showing the Corinthians that baptism into Moses, and the spiritual food and spiritual drink they enjoyed, did not prevent judgment upon the Israelites by God. And he does this to show them that the same judgment can befall them if they are disobedient.
Conclusion
Understanding Paul here is a matter of basic reading comprehension. He is clearly drawing an analogy between ancient Israel and Christianity to show the Corinthian Christians they are still subject to judgment for misconduct. He analogizes in this matter to warn Christians about the consequences of idolatry by illustrating the consequences of idolatry for ancient Israel who were typologically in the same situation. Paul immediately signals to them that he is speaking typologically when he says Israel was “baptized into Moses.” So, we are not to suppose that rock was literally Christ following Israel around anymore than we are to suppose the ancient Israelites were literally baptized into Moses. He is using the language of typology and analogy. Israel was analogically baptized into Moses as Christians were baptized into Christ. In the same way, Christ was analogically that rock from which they received spiritual drink just as we receive the spiritual drink from Christ in the Lord’s Supper.
Now these things happened as typologies for us, so that we would not desire evil things as they did.
Article written by Brother Kel.
The rock foreshadow a better thing to come i.e Yeshua. There are many many exemples in the Bible that foreshadow thing that would come later.
Ex: Jacob
Jacob was a shepherd. If you accept that spotless white sheep wool portrays sinlessness then any natural mark would symbolise sin. In Gen 30:32 Jacob build his own flock by keeping all the speckled or spotted sheep. By doing it Jacob became a type for the future messianic shepherd who would later claim to himself sinful mankind.
(During his ministry Yeshua keep drawing to himself sinners tax collector, prostitutes, sick people. Mark 2:17 I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.)
It is OK to see the story of Jacob as prophetic of Yeshua’s ministry. But nobody should go a step further and say that Jacob was in fact Yeshua.
In I CORINTHIANS 10:1 Paul is emphasizing the typology of the Old Testament – things that foreshadowed what was to come with Christ. When Paul say ‘that Rock was Christ’ I view it as a type and not the real thing.
I recommend if I may the very good book “Gospel mysteries” by Darek Barefoot.
https://www.typologetics.com/author/darek/
Seven Churches – Thoughts on the seven angels of Revelation
https://www.72.sk/menu.php?m=JEENG