FEBRUARY 6, 2026 – ANGEL OF THE LORD

READ: Ex. 23:1–33: … And in all that I have said to you, be circumspect and make no mention of the name of other gods, nor let it be heard from your mouth …

After urgent exhortations, among others concerning the nature of testimony in legal cases and the refusal of bribes, the sabbatical year is designated to give the land rest (vv.10–11). The rest of the Sabbath day is also emphasized again (v.12).

The three feasts mentioned are to be celebrated annually to thank, serve, and honor the LORD. We read about them in four books: Exodus, Numbers, Leviticus, and Deuteronomy.

The first feast is the Feast of Unleavened Bread in the month of Abib, after the slaughter of the Passover lamb, in remembrance of the deliverance from Egypt.

The other feasts are the Feast of Weeks at the gathering of the first harvest, and the Feast of Tabernacles after the full harvest. These feasts are for the whole people, but only boys and men must appear before the LORD with voluntary offerings (Deut. 16:10) and with joy. Instructions for the sacrifices at these three feasts then follow.

From verse 20 onward we read about the Angel of the LORD, the Son of God, who will go before the people in the wilderness. He will guard them along the way and bring them safely into the land of Canaan.

That this angel is no ordinary angel is evident from verses 21 and 22. There we read that God Himself is present in His revelation within this Angel. His voice is what God speaks; He is the mouth of God. He has the authority to forgive or not forgive.

Without these names being used here, it is God the Son, who is also God, who is sent by the Father to lead God’s people to the promised land. God Himself will also drive out the inhabitants of that land. Therefore they must obey Him (v.22).

Again the command is given not to serve the idols of those nations. The LORD desires a holy people who are faithful to Him and place their trust in Him. In that way He fulfills His promises.

To what can we compare the feasts of that time today?
Sing: Ps. 97:4