Exodus 3:2

Angel of the Lord] i.e. of Jehovah (see on Exodus 3:13). In Exodus 3:4 it is Jehovah Himself who speaks; in Exodus 23:20; Exodus 23:22 divine attributes are ascribed to the 'angel of the Lord,' God's' name' is in him (see on Exodus 3:13), and his voice is identified with that of God. It would therefore appear that the Angel of Jehovah is not a created angel but Jehovah Himself in the act of self-manifestation: see on 'my presence' in Exodus 33:14. On the other hand, there are passages like Exodus 32:34 where the angel seems to be distinguished from Jehovah, the explanation being probably that the mere manifestation of God gives rise to a distinction between what He is in Himself, and what He is in His special appearance. In this distinction between God in Himself and God in self-manifestation, we may see an adumbration of the Incarnation of God in Christ. By many, the Angel of the Lord is identified with the Second Person of the Trinity. It is to be observed that on this occasion Moses saw no human form: cp. Deuteronomy 4:15. In a flame of fire] Fire is a frequent emblem of God in the Scriptures on account of its illuminating, purifying, and destructive properties, and appears as the accompaniment and indication of His presence: see Exodus 13:21; Exodus 19:18; Exodus 24:17; Deuteronomy 4:24; Psalms 97:3; Ezekiel 1:4; Acts 2:3, etc. On this occasion the bush, though enveloped in flame, was not consumed. This may be symbolical of the graciousness of God who spares the unworthy and restrains the fierceness of His anger while He communicates with them: see on Exodus 24:9.