Exodus 23:20Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

In the book of Exodus, Moses made a profound declaration, stating that the name of God, which had not been disclosed to Abraham or Jacob, was Jesus. The Lord communicated to Moses, instructing him to tell the people, "Behold, I am sending my angel ahead of you to guard you along your journey and to bring you to the land I have prepared. Pay close attention to him and listen to his voice; do not rebel against him, for he will not pardon your transgressions, for my name is in him." Who then led your ancestors into the promised land? It was indeed a man known as Jesus, who was initially called Abijah (Numbers 13:17).

It was not Hosea but rather Jesus who would guide the people into the Land of Promise, and He referred to him as an angel due to the significant works he was destined to accomplish. The actions performed by Joshua are well-documented for your review. Additionally, Joshua's role as a prophet, serving as a messenger of God's will, is also crucial. In this light, the Holy Spirit refers to John, the forerunner of Christ, as an anticipated angel, declaring through the prophet on behalf of the Father, ‘Behold, I send My angel before Thy face,’ referring to Christ, ‘who shall prepare Thy way before Thee’ (Malachi 3:1).

He referred to him as an angel because of the remarkable works he was to undertake and his role as a prophet, meaning as a herald of the Divine will, with Jesus commemorating the mystery of His forthcoming name.

The Angel tasked with guiding Israel is not merely an angelic being. This enigmatic figure, endowed with the authority to forgive and bearing the Name of Jehovah, is the Lord Himself, manifesting as the Second Person of the Holy Trinity. This interpretation aligns with the consensus among various commentators, who highlight the significance of Israel in relation to other nations. In Exodus 33:2-3, we are reminded of the Lord’s declaration, made in His wrath against Israel, where He noted His intention to send an angel to lead His people into the promised land but refrained from accompanying them so as not to destroy a stiff-necked people along the way.