Matthew Poole and continuators on Exodus 3:2

2 And the Angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a flame of fire but of the midst of a bush, and he looked, and behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed .

Not a created Angel, but the Angel of the covenant, Christ Jesus, who then and ever was God, and was to be man and to be sent into the world in our Flesh as a messenger from God. And these temporary apparitions of his were presages or fore-runners of his more solemn mission and coming, and therefore he is fitly called an Angel. That this Angel was no creature plainly appears by the whole context, and specially by his saying, I am the Lord, &c. The Angels never speak that language in Scripture, but, I am sent from God, and I am thy fellow-servant, &c. And it is a vain pretence to say that the Angel as Gods Ambassadour speaks in Gods name and person. For what Ambassadour of any King in the world did ever speak thus, I am the King, &c.? Ministers are Gods Ambassadours, but if any of them should say, I am the Lord, they would be guilty of blasphemy, and so would any created Angel be too, for the same reason.

Whereby was fitly represented Gods Majesty and purity and power.

Which doubtless represented the condition of the Church and people of Israel, who were now in the fire of affliction, yet so as that God was present with them, and that they should not be consumed in it, whereof this vision was a pledge.

Marginal references: Deut. 33. 16.