Exodus 3, who was in the burning bush?

[placebofactor]

Exodus 3:2, King James Bible, “The angel (messenger) of the LORD appeared to him (Moses) in a flame of fire from within the bush.”

Question, “Did the angel of the Lord appear to Moses as he was, or AS a flame of fire?” Answer: He appeared “in a flame of fire,” not “as a flame of fire.” He is present within the flame; the flame is the environment of the appearance, not the angel’s form.

Question: Is the LORD (YHWH) in verse 4 the “angel of the LORD” in verse 2? And in Verse 4, “When the LORD (YHWH) saw that he turned aside to look, God (Elohim) called to him from the midst of the bush.”
Question: Is the LORD and God in verse 4 the same person as the angel of the LORD in verse 2?

The text begins with “the angel of the LORD appeared…”, but when the voice speaks, it is simply “God” and “the LORD.” There was no change of scene, no new character introduced, no explanation. The same presence in the bush is now called “YHWH” and “Elohim.”

I understand that the God and LORD of verse 4 are the same person as the angel of the LORD in verse 2. And yes, each title carries a different theological emphasis.

As the Angel of the LORD, this is God manifested.
As the LORD, “YHWH,” this is his covenant identity, and,
As God, “Elohim,” it speaks of his authority and power. The narrative uses all three to give a fuller picture of who is speaking from the bush.

As for the name “I Am” in verse 14, it sums it all up. “I Am” means God will be what he will be." He will be the angel of the LORD delivering a message. As the LORD, he is speaking of his identity, faithfulness, and that he is and will be. And as God, he is the Creator, Sovereign, and Judge?

As the “I Am,” it sums up all three titles? “I Am” (Ehyeh) in Exodus 3:14 expresses God’s freedom, constancy, and self-determining nature. “He will be what he will be.” He will be whatever the situation requires; he will manifest Himself however He chooses because he is not and will not be defined by man.

Strictly limiting ourselves to what the Bible teaches, what do we know? John 1:18, “No man hath seen God (the Father) at any time.”
John 5:37, “Ye have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his shape.” These two verses refer to the Father, as the context makes clear.

So, the Bible teaches that the Father has never been seen, and his voice never heard. So what is the logical conclusion we can draw? Who appeared and spoke to Moses in the bush? And who else holds all the titles of LORD, God, angel of the LORD, and the I Am? The only other divine person the scriptures identify as God, as LORD, as the angel of the LORD, and the I Am, is the Son of God, Jesus Christ.

[1213]

...
I understand that the God and LORD of verse 4 are the same person as the angel of the LORD in verse 2....

You think God is the angel of God? I don't think The Angel of God is the same as the God.

[OneJack]

[Replying to placebofactor in post #1]

So, the Bible teaches that the Father has never been seen, and his voice never heard.

Not the bible but the Lord Jesus, through the Son, per se, said to the Jews, to wit:

45 It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.
46 Not that any man hath seen the Father, save he which is of God, he hath seen the Father.

So what is the logical conclusion we can draw? Who appeared and spoke to Moses in the bush?

The Lord God appeared to Moses through the angel of the Lord, in a flame of fire in a burning bush.

And who else holds all the titles of LORD, God, and the I Am?

Only the Almighty God, whose name is Jesus.

The only other divine person the scriptures identify as God, as LORD, as the angel of the LORD, and the I Am, is the Son of God, Jesus Christ.

The Almighty God alone is the one true God, not a Triune God as you opine. Also, the angel of the Lord is simply an angel, not God. And the Son of God, per se, was the man who served as the physical vessel of the Almighty God in His incarnation.

[OneJack]

...
I understand that the God and LORD of verse 4 are the same person as the angel of the LORD in verse 2....

You think God is the angel of God? I don't think The Angel of God is the same as the God.

Nicely said!

[placebofactor]

...
I understand that the God and LORD of verse 4 are the same person as the angel of the LORD in verse 2....

You think God is the angel of God? I don't think The Angel of God is the same as the God.

Nicely said!

Both 1213, and OneJack read the verses carefully, this time with an open mind, and not with an already established opinion.

KJV Exodus 3:2-4, "The angel of the LORD appeared unto him (Moses) in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush:" Verse 4, "When the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called unto him (Moses) out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses."

Now, how many do you think were in the (MIDST) of the flaming bush? Also, the angel of the Lord was not some angel flying around with wings; it was the Son of God who delivered a message to Moses. Now he brings in his other two titles of LORD and God. John 1:1, And the Word (Jesus) was God." And in Isaiah 48:16, the LORD Jehovah (the Son) is speaking and said, "Come you near unto me, hear you this; I have not spoken in secret from the beginning; for the time that it was, there am I (Jesus): and now the Lord God (the Father) and his Spirit (the Holy Spirit) have sent me."

He told Moses he was the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. And as LORD (Jehovah) he said to Moses, he calls Israel his people, and that verse 8, "He came down (from Heaven) to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians."

This is my scriptural evidence, not my opinion, that the Angel of the LORD, (the Son of God) is the LORD and God that spoke to Moses. Show me your evidence?

[1213]

...KJV Exodus 3:2-4, "The angel of the LORD appeared unto him (Moses) in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush:" Verse 4, "When the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called unto him (Moses) out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses."

Now, how many do you think were in the (MIDST) of the flaming bush?...

By what is said, only the angel appeared in the fire. God's voice was heard out of the midst of the bush. It does not necessary mean God Himself was in the bush. It could mean:
a) the angel spoke the words of God.
b) God some other way let His voice be heard so that it appeared to come out of the bush.

[Capbook]

...KJV Exodus 3:2-4, "The angel of the LORD appeared unto him (Moses) in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush:" Verse 4, "When the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called unto him (Moses) out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses."

Now, how many do you think were in the (MIDST) of the flaming bush?...

By what is said, only the angel appeared in the fire. God's voice was heard out of the midst of the bush. It does not necessary mean God Himself was in the bush. It could mean:
a) the angel spoke the words of God.
b) God some other way let His voice be heard so that it appeared to come out of the bush.

I believe the creative Word before He became flesh was named YHWH in the Old Testament.(Ex 3:14, John 8:58)

1Sa 3:21  And the LORD appeared again at Shiloh, because the LORD revealed Himself to Samuel at Shiloh by the word of the LORD. 

Here, the speaker was YHWH, I believe the creative Word utter this as He said "they will look on Me, whom they have pierced."(John 5:37)

Zec 12:10  "I will pour out on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the Spirit of grace and of supplication, so that they will look on Me whom they have pierced; and they will mourn for Him, as one mourns for an only son, and they will weep bitterly over Him like the bitter weeping over a firstborn. 

[placebofactor]

...KJV Exodus 3:2-4, "The angel of the LORD appeared unto him (Moses) in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush:" Verse 4, "When the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called unto him (Moses) out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses."

Now, how many do you think were in the (MIDST) of the flaming bush?...

By what is said, only the angel appeared in the fire. God's voice was heard out of the midst of the bush. It does not necessary mean God Himself was in the bush. It could mean:
a) the angel spoke the words of God.
b) God some other way let His voice be heard so that it appeared to come out of the bush.

Why send the angel of the LORD if the LORD himself is going to speak? Do you understand what a messenger is? He represents the one who sent him. His words are the words of the one who sent him. Why do you have such a difficult time understanding simple basics?

[BruceLeiter]

[Replying to placebofactor in post #8]

So, @placebofactor, the second Person of the one God (later to become the God-man Jesus) was in the burning bush representing the first Person of God (later known as the Father), though he is also one with the first Person along with the Holy Spirit in calling Moses to lead Israel out of Egyptian slavery. That's my interpretation of the angel of the LORD and Exodus 3. How does that sound to you?

[placebofactor]

[Replying to placebofactor in post #8]

So, @placebofactor, the second Person of the one God (later to become the God-man Jesus) was in the burning bush representing the first Person of God (later known as the Father), though he is also one with the first Person along with the Holy Spirit in calling Moses to lead Israel out of Egyptian slavery. That's my interpretation of the angel of the LORD and Exodus 3. How does that sound to you?

I agree! The Lord Jesus Christ wore many titles. He is the angel of the LORD, he is God, he is the LORD, he is the Almighty, all to the glory of his Father in heaven.