I would like to point out a couple of things that makes your post a little confusing and contradictory. First, when you see the word "angle" in the Old Testament do "NOT" assume it's an actual angel just because the word "angel" is used. The Hebrew word for angel is "malik." The word simply means "messenger."
Men are also referred to as "angels" in the OT but they are not actual angels, they are "messengers." The prophet "Malachi" who is a human being is a messenger and his name, "Malachi" is from the Hebrew word "malik."
Now, you said this? "Great information about God and angels. Might I recommend a "
measuring stick" to judge correctly in scripture if God is appearing as an angel or man.......
" THE angel of the Lord (who is the preincarnate Jesus Christ) is not an angel nor is He a man. In the OT he took the form of a man temporarily just like actual angels can take the form of a man. When Jesus incarnated He became a man permanently.
Also, at Genesis 18 three men appeared to Abraham. One of them was the angel of the Lord and the other two were actual angels. I don't think Abraham thought that one of them was the Lord even though vs1 says, "Now the Lord appeared to him by the oaks of Mamre, while he was sitting at the tent door in the heat of the day." What happened is being explained for our benefit as we read the account.
Now, the first appearance of the angel of the Lord is at Genesis 16:7 as the angel of the Lord. If you read the account the angel of the Lord multiplies Hagar's descendants, vs10. Hagar recognizes the angel of the Lord as God at vs13. Also notice at Genesis 17:1,2,
Now when Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to Abram and said to him, "I am God Almighty, Walk before Me and be blameless, vs2, And I will establish My covenant between Me and you, And I will multiply you exceedingly."
It would be a very good bet that the angel of the Lord in Genesis 16 is the same "BEING" as at Genesis 17:1-2 and through the rest of the chapter. For more information on this please read my post in this thread #24. I hope this makes sense.
IN THE ANGEL OF THE LORD,
bluto