20 Behold, I send an angel before you, to keep you by the way, and to bring you into the place which I have prepared.
21 Pay attention to him, and listen to his voice. Don’t provoke him, for he will not pardon your disobedience, for my name is in him.
Exodus 23:20–21 World English Bible
Today I learned that the Angel of the LORD, sent ahead of Moses and the Children of Israel as they sojourn in the wilderness, carried the Name of the LORD (Yehovah). This implies that the Angel carried the power and authority of the LORD Himself. In other words, wherever the Angel went, the Presence of the LORD was with him, even in him. One can say that the Angel of the LORD represented the LORD Himself.
This passage also reminds me of the words of our Lord Iesus in his High-priestly Prayer recorded in John 17:11 – 12a:
11 I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name, the name you gave me, so that they may be one as we are one.
12 While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by that name you gave me.
Exodus 23:20–21 World English Bible
I can observe that just as the Name of the LORD was given to His Angel who accompanied the Children of Israel in their wandering in the wilderness, the same Name of God was also given to His Messiah. It was by the power of "that Name you gave me" (Jn 17:12a), that our Lord Iesus kept his disciples safe throughout his ministry on earth. Our Lord also prayed for his disciples, and for all who would believe in him (see John 17:20), that the Father will protect all believers by the power of His Name.
Brothers and Sisters in the Anointed One, let us remind ourselves — that we who have put our faith in the Lord Iesus are protected by the power of the Name of God.
Thanks be to God.
