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Behold I send an angel before thee, etc. (Exodus 23:20). [We omit from homiletic treatment Exodus 20:22-23:19, containing a large amount of minute legislation; but if any one for special reason wishes to deal with any of these laws, he will find a careful and exhaustive analysis in Lunge on "Exodus." Most of them have strict and sole reference to the Hebrew Commonwealth, and are obsolete for the Christian.] This passage contains a series of promises, which all centre in an august personage, called here an "angel." That this is so will determine the character of our exposition, and the Christian uses of it.

I. THE ANGEL. None other than the "Angel of Jehovah," the Angel-God of the Old Testament, i.e., the Lord Jesus Christ. Reference is here made to those many epiphanies, which preceded the Great Epiphany of the incarnation. That these were appearances of the Lord Jesus may be argued: -

1. It seems reasonable that there should be anticipations of the incarnation. True, we could not prophesy them beforehand; but when they do take place, they commend themselves to our reason. It seems in a sense natural, that He, who was coming to dwell here, should once and again "come town to deliver."

2. The history of the appearance of the angel shows: -

(1) That he was Divine.

(i.) Perfection implied in the authority he wields, and the promises he gives.

(ii.) Swears by himself.

(iii.) The object of worship.

(iv.) Subject of Divine names and attributes.

(2) And yet there is that which differentiates Him from the Eternal Father. All this accords with the doctrine of the Trinity; and that the angel was Christ the Lord.

II. HIS OFFICE. We assume now that the angel was the Lord Jesus; that what he was to the ancient Church he is now. He is ever present - sometimes unseen - often recognised. His office as here set forth is that of: -

1. A Leader. He led Israel, mainly by the pillar of cloud; but not in such a way as to dispense with Israel's action. The Lord acts, but never so as to swamp our individuality. It was for Israel:

(1) To watch the cloud:

(2) To exercise their own judgment on minor matters. See Numbers 10:31. Our danger is to rely exclusively on our own judgment, and not to look for the waving of That Hand.

2. A Sentinel. "To keep in the way" in the double sense; -

(1) To hold us in the path, and

(2) to defend us on that path. The practical truth here is, that Christ's keeping is not absolute or independent of our will and action. He watches, that we may watch. This vital practical truth seems to us to be well illustrated by Swedenborg's doctrine of the "Proprium;" which is well exhibited in "Outlines of the Religion and Philosophy of Swedenborg" by Dr. Parsons. Ch. 8:3. Moral magistracy. "He will not pardon your transgressions, for my name is in Him" - what can this mean? There is reference here to the moral magistracy exercised over us, on our pilgrim way, noting transgression, visiting for it, chastising, Chastening, with a view to ultimate removal. Appeal to life for evidence of the reality of that corrective jurisdiction.

III. OUR DUTY.

1. Loyalty to God, ver. 25.

2. Recognition of his representative; i.e., the angel; i.e., the Lord Jesus.

3. Obedience; i.e., to the leader, etc. (vers. 21, 22.) N.B. "If thou shalt indeed obey His voice, and do all that I speak." Mark how God identifies himself with the angel.

4. Avoidance of fellowship and complicity with evil (vers. 32, 33). Any intercourse for the Jew with the heathen was full of peril. It seems now to be assumed that no companionship for the Christian has any danger. This assumption false, as the tendency to worldliness and open sin shows.

5. Active antagonism to all Anti-theisms (v. 24). It will not do to be content with standing on the defensive. Has not the time now come to carry the war into the enemy's camp?

IV. THE PROMISES. These cover really all the blessings consequent on a life of practical godliness. Thinking rather of our own position than of the literal meaning of the promises in relation to the life of Israel, they may be classified as follow: -

1. God on our side (vers. 22, 23).

2. Our daily provision blessed (ver. 25). There shall be enough; but whatever there is shall have gladness with it.

3. Health (ver. 25).

4. Wealth (ver. 26).

5. Long life (ver. 26).

6. Influence, before which even adversaries shall bend (ver. 27).

7. Enlargement of power and of room for its exercise (v. 31).

8. In the bestowal of these blessings, our Father in heaven will show to us great considerateness (vers. 29, 30).

9. Safe conduct to the promised rest (ver. 20). Those who know the argument of Binney: - "Is it possible to make the best of Both Worlds?" will well understand how, under what conditions, and with what limitations, blessings of this sort - mainly secular in character - fall to the lot of the Lord's redeemed. - R

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KJV: Behold, I send an Angel before thee, to keep thee in the way, and to bring thee into the place which I have prepared.

WEB: "Behold, I send an angel before you, to keep you by the way, and to bring you into the place which I have prepared.