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"How long will You not have mercy on Jerusalem"

Text: Zechariah 1:12

THE MINISTRY OF THE ANGEL OF THE LORD

The Scriptures offer many glimpses of the ministry of the Angel of the LORD.

“Then the Angel of the LORD answered and said,
‘O LORD of hosts, how long will You not have mercy
on Jerusalem and on the cities of Judah,
against which You were angry these seventy years?'”
Zechariah 1:12

1. The Angel of the LORD who appeared to Hagar (Genesis 16)

a) The word “angel” simply means “messenger”.

b) The NKJV text capitalized the word “Angel” to signify He was not just one of the angels of God.

c) He was able to speak with the same authority as the LORD God Himself when He promised a special blessing on Hagar and her son (Genesis 16:10).

d) Hagar correctly identified Him: “You-Are-the-God-Who-Sees” (Genesis 16:13).

2. The Angel of the LORD who appeared to Joshua (Joshua 5)

a) He appeared as a Man.

b) He had come to Joshua as “Commander of the army of the LORD” (Joshua 5:14a).

c) Appropriately, Joshua worshipped Him (Joshua 5:14b).

3. The Angel of the LORD in prayer

a) He had received the report of the patrolling angelic horsemen.

b) While there was peace, He knew that the LORD God’s anger had remained.

c) He offered an intercessory prayer:

i) He addressed God as, “O LORD of hosts”.

ii) He brought before the LORD the city of Jerusalem and Judah.

iii) He mentioned that the LORD had pronounced a sentence of 70 years for Judah and Jerusalem because they had angered Him with their idolatry and their waywardness.

iv) He pleaded for mercy to be extended to Jerusalem and Judah.