The Person of Christ - His Pre Incarnation Appearances  eg Josh 5 v 13 - 15         7th Jan 2015

Incarnate = “ invested with bodily nature and form “ -so that pre incarnate means, Christ appearing in human form, prior to His birth.

Consider John 8 v 58 – He is The Eternal One – not subject to time and dates.Micah 5 v  2 “ from of old, from everlasting “, cf. Isa 9 v 6, so appearances span over hundreds of years.

John 1 v 14  “ became flesh” -  to discuss  - Bethlehem.

Now, pre- incarnations are called Theophanies  or  Christophanies by Bible Scholars.

Gk. Theos = “ God” and  Gk phaino = “ appear “ ; hence Theophanie = “ appearance of God “.

Christophanies = “ appearances of Christ “

These pre incarnation appearances are further, proofs, if proofs were needed, that the Lord Jesus is Divine i.e. He is God re: Sunday evening message. ( The bedrock of our faith -  see Ps 49 v 7 ). Only the Lord could appear before His birth – we cannot do that – our date of birth is our beginning, not so with the Lord. See Luke 18 v 27. We can not see each other, before we are born.
By appearances, we mean that which is visual; actual; with human form – not visions or dreams.

Eg ABRAHAM experience : - Read  Gen 18 v 1 – 10  and 21 v 1 – 3

Consider the features exhibited by the Lord :-
18 v 2  They were  identified as “ men “ – 3 men –they were  standing – Abraham recognized them as men – not possessing abnormal features; regular, normal,men.
 
V 3 Abraham acknowledge the Lord’s authority & superiority, he calls ONE of them Lord.

V 4 Abraham considered the usual needs of an Eastern traveller, to “ wash “ and “rest “  and need for shade to aid recovery - cf John 4 v 6 “ wearied with His journey “, and “ wash your feet “ cf John 13  and Luke 7 v 38.
V 6 Food was prepared -  given hospitality – cf Heb. 13 v 2 

V 7 prepared in haste – quickly –  sought to give good service to the Lord.

V 8 “ they did eat “ -  able to accept, eat and digest food. Cf John 21 v 15

V 10 The Lord speaks – He promises to return and told Abraham that Sarah would have a son – not only that she would conceive – and have a child ( and not twins ) but that she would have a son.

V 13  the LORD spake unto Abraham and goes on to discuss future judgment of Sodom and Gomorrah.

V 16  “ rose up from thence “  ie 3 men ; but v 33 “the LORD went His way “ – and see Gen 19 v 1 “ came two angels to Sodom “
21 v 1 – 3 The LORD’s promise fulfilled 
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JACOB : - Read Gen 32 v 24 – 32      re: Picture of the Tribulation Period
V 24 “ a man “
V 26  He speaks “ let me go “
V 30 “ seen God face to face “ cf Exodus 33 v 11 ( as Moses )

Implications for us - Practical Teaching ; He too passed through boyhood/teenage years into adulthood, so He has personal experience of life on earth, enabling Him to be our Great High Priest, who was tested in all points like as we are, yet without sin – Heb 4 v 16