Arian polemicist and the founder of Christian Witnesses of Jah Greg Stafford cites the following passage where the Angel asks YHWH how long would he show no compassion to Judah in order to prove that the Angel isn’t omniscient:
“So they answered the angel of Yahweh who was standing among the myrtle trees and said, ‘We have patrolled the earth, and behold, all the earth is sitting still and quiet.’ Then the angel of Yahweh answered and said, “O Yahweh of hosts, how long will You have no compassion for Jerusalem and the cities of Judah, with which You have been indignant these seventy years?’ Yahweh answered the angel who was speaking with me with good words, comforting words. So the angel who was speaking with me said to me, ‘Call out, saying, “Thus says Yahweh of hosts, ‘I am exceedingly jealous for Jerusalem and Zion. But I am very wrathful with the nations who are at ease; for I was only a little wrathful, but they helped increase the calamity.’ Therefore thus says Yahweh, ‘I will return to Jerusalem with compassion; My house will be built in it,’ declares Yahweh of hosts, ‘and a measuring line will be stretched over Jerusalem.’” Again, call out, saying, “Thus says Yahweh of hosts, ‘My cities will again overflow with good, and Yahweh will again comfort Zion and again choose Jerusalem.’”’” Zechariah 1:11-17 Legacy Standard Bible (LSB)
Stafford’s point is to show that the Angel cannot be God if he doesn’t know all things, or doesn’t know what YHWH knows, and needs to require information from YHWH.
The problem here is that Stafford has grossly misread the text since the Angel isn’t asking due to his ignorance. Rather, the Angel is interceding with God in order to move him to show compassion, which is precisely what God did, and all because of the Angel’s intercession!
This is confirmed later in Zechariah where the Angel is depicted as defending Joshua the high priest from Satan’s false accusation, which is exactly what a mediator/intercessor does:
“Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of Yahweh, and Satan standing at his right hand to accuse him. And Yahweh said to Satan, ‘Yahweh rebuke you, Satan! Indeed, Yahweh who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you! Is this not a brand delivered from the fire?’ Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments and standing before the angel. And he answered and spoke to those who were standing before him, saying, ‘Remove the filthy garments from him.’ Again he [the angel] said to him, ‘See, I have made your iniquity pass away from you and will clothe you with festal robes.’” Zechariah 3:1-4 LSB
Therefore, the Angel wasn’t asking out of ignorance but was rather interceding on behalf of the Jews in order to cause YHWH to remove his displeasure and wrath from his covenant people.
Stafford shouldn’t be surprised by this since the Holy Bible is replete with cases where God/Christ asks questions not of ignorance, but out of anger, disgust and/or to invoke a response:
“Yahweh said to Moses, ‘How long will this people spurn Me? And how long will they not believe in Me, despite all the signs which I have done in their midst?’” Numbers 14:11 LSB
“And when they came to the crowd, a man came up to Jesus, falling on his knees before Him and saying, ‘Lord, have mercy on my son, for he has seizures and suffers terribly; for he often falls into the fire and often into the water. And I brought him to Your disciples, and they could not cure him.’And Jesus answered and said, ‘O you unbelieving and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring him here to Me.’ And Jesus rebuked him, and the demon came out of him, and the boy was cured at once.” Matthew 17:14-18 LSB
“So when they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these?’ He said to Him, ‘Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.’ He said to him, ‘Tend My lambs.’ He said to him again a second time, ‘Simon, son of John, do you love Me? He said to Him, ‘Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.’ He said to him, ‘Shepherd My sheep.’ He said to him the third time, ‘Simon, son of John, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, ‘Do you love Me?’ And he said to Him, ‘Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Tend My sheep. Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were younger, you used to gird yourself and walk wherever you wished; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands and someone else will gird you, and bring you where you do not wish to go.’ Now this He said, signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, ‘Follow Me!’ Peter, turning around, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them; the one who also had leaned back on His bosom at the supper and said, ‘Lord, who is the one who betrays You?’ So Peter seeing him said to Jesus, ‘Lord, and what about this man?’ Jesus said to him, ‘If I want him to remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow Me!’ Therefore this saying went out among the brothers that this disciple would not die; yet Jesus did not say to him that he would not die, but only, ‘If I want him to remain until I come, what is that to you?’” John 21:15-23 LSB
Now lest I be accused of twisting the intended meaning of the Angel’s words I cite a host of biblical expositors who all see it the way I do. All emphasis will be mine:
12. The intercession of the angel of the Lord reveals that the return of exiles from Babylon was not in itself regarded as fulfilment of the prophecy of Jeremiah 29:10. Jerusalem and the cities of Judah needed to be rebuilt. Though there is no specific mention of the temple, its reconstruction is implied…
13. Though it was the angel of the Lord who had interceded in the previous verse, God’s answer comes direct to Zechariah’s interpreting angel, through him to the prophet, and finally is proclaimed to the people. This is an interesting example of the role of mediators in the post-exilic period. It is not clear whether the interpreting angel passes on all that he hears or whether he has the more active role of selecting the message. What is noted is that they were gracious and comforting words (cf. Isa. 40:1, 2). (Joyce G. Baldwin, Haggai, Zechariah and Malachi: An Introduction and Commentary, vol. 28, Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1972), 102–104)
1:12–13 The angel of the Lord finally delivered the message of divine intervention. One might normally anticipate a lament bemoaning the lack of peace in Israel (see Jer 47:6–7). In vv. 12–13 the lament resulted from the existence of peace—a peace that enslaved Israel and hindered what God intended to do through his people on a global scale. The news of peace on earth must have disheartened God’s people, moving the angel of the Lord to intercede for a speedy resolution to the crisis and an end to the period of exile foretold by Jeremiah (25:11–12). Instead of the peace that the people expected and the angel of the Lord prayed for, the “shaking” from on high would usher in God’s glory and his full favor to Zion. Similarly, Hag 2:6–7 states,
This is what the Lord Almighty says: “In a little while I will once more shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land. I will shake all nations, and the desired of all nations will come, and I will fill this house with glory,” says the Lord Almighty.
The angel of the Lord’s intercessory prayer marks the beginning of the end of the Babylonian exile. The seventy-year exile Jeremiah prophesied would conclude shortly. (George L. Klein, Zechariah, vol. 21B, The New American Commentary (Nashville, TN: B & H Publishing Group, 2008), 101–102)
And the Angel of the Lord answered – the implied longing, by intercession with God. As the angel-interpreter in Job had “the office of no mere created angel, but one, anticipative of His, who came at once to redeem and justify,” so the Angel of the Lord, in whom God was, exercised at once a mediatorial office with God, typical of our Lord’s high priest’s prayer John 17, and acted as God. (Barnes’ Notes on the Bible)
answered and said—said in continuation of the discourse: proceeded to say.
how long—Messiah’s people pray similarly to their Head. Re 6:10, “How long,” &c. Heretofore it was vain to pray, but now that the divinely appointed “threescore and ten years” (Jer 25:11; 29:10) are elapsed, it is time to pray to Thee for the fulfilment of Thy promise, seeing that Thy grace is not yet fully manifested, nor Thy promise fulfilled. God’s promises are not to make us slothful, but to quicken our prayers. Henderson, dating the seventy years from the destruction of Jerusalem (588 B.C.), supposes two years of the seventy had yet to run (520 B.C.). (Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary)
Then the {m} angel of the LORD answered and said, O LORD of hosts, how long wilt thou not have mercy on Jerusalem and on the cities of Judah, against which thou hast had indignation these threescore and ten years?
(m) That is, Christ the mediator prayed for the salvation of his Church, which was now troubled, when all the countries about them were at rest. (Geneva Study Bible)
12. answered] The word does not necessarily mean replied to a question, but has here, as elsewhere, the more general signification of speaking in a manner corresponding, or “answering” to the circumstances described and the feelings called forth by them (comp. Job 3:2 (margin); Daniel 2:26; Acts 5:8). Pitying Zechariah and his countrymen in the disappointment, which the answer of the horsemen (Zechariah 1:11) could not fail to cause them, inasmuch as it told of rest and quiet, whereas the “shaking of all nations” was the predicted sign of returning favour to Zion (Haggai 2:7; Haggai 2:21-22), the Angel proceeds to speak “answerably” to this feeling, in the intercession which he now offers on their behalf. His sympathy and intercession make it probable, as Calvin remarks (though he offers the alternative of its being any angel you please), that this Angel of the Lord was “Christ the Mediator.” (Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges)
Verse 12. – Answered. He answered the feeling in the prophet’s mind, the unexpressed longing of his heart. O Lord of hosts. The angel is the intercessor for the people. So Christ prays to the Father (John 17.). How long wilt thou not have mercy, etc.? He prays that the weary waiting for deliverance may speedily come to an end, and Jerusalem be restored, and Judaea be again inhabited by a happy population. These three score and ten years. The predicted seventy years of captivity (Jeremiah 25:11; Jeremiah 29:10) were past; it was time that the punishment should cease. There are two computations of this period. The first dates from the first capture of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar, B.C. 606, when Judaea was made tributary to Babylon (2 Kings 24:1: 2 Chronicles 36:6; Daniel 1:1, etc.), unto the return of the company of exiles under Zerubbabel, B.C. 536; the second dates from the final destruction of Jerusalem, B.C. 588, unto the second year of Darius, B.C. 519, when Zechariah saw these visions. However reckoned, the dark period was now over; might they not now expect the commotion among the nations which was to precede their own restitution? Zechariah 1:12 (Pulpit Commentary)
Again, the circumstance that in Zechariah 1:12 the angel of the Lord presents a petition to the Supreme God on behalf of the covenant nation, and that according to Zechariah 1:13 Jehovah answers the angelus interpres in good, comforting words, does not prove that he who receives the answer must be the same person as the intercessor: for it might be stated in reply to this, as it has been by Vitringa, that Zechariah has simply omitted to mention that the answer was first of all addressed to the angel of the Lord, and that it was through him that it reached the mediating angel; or we might assume, as Hengstenberg has done, that “Jehovah addressed the answer directly to the mediating angel, because the angel of the Lord had asked the question, not for his own sake, but simply for the purpose of conveying consolation and hope through the mediator to the prophet, and through him to the nation generally.” (Keil and Delitzsch Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament)
12. Not only does Messiah stand among His people (the “myrtles,” Zec 1:8), but intercedes for them with the Father (“Lord,” or “Jehovah of hosts”) effectively (Zec 1:13; Heb 7:25). Compare Ps 102:13-20; Isa 62:6, 7, as to Judah’s restoration in answer to prayer.
1:7-17 The prophet saw a dark, shady grove, hidden by hills. This represented the low, melancholy condition of the Jewish church. A man like a warrior sat on a red horse, in the midst of this shady myrtle-grove. Though the church was in a low condition, Christ was present in the midst, ready to appear for the relief of his people. Behind him were angels ready to be employed by him, some in acts of judgment, others of mercy, others in mixed events. Would we know something of the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, we must apply, not to angels, for they are themselves learners, but to Christ himself. He is ready to teach those humbly desirous to learn the things of God. The nations near Judea enjoyed peace at that time, but the state of the Jews was unsettled, which gave rise to the pleading that followed; but mercy must only be hoped for through Christ. His intercession for his church prevails. The Lord answered the Angel, this Angel of the covenant, with promises of mercy and deliverance. All the good words and comfortable words of the gospel we receive from Jesus Christ, as he received them from the Father, in answer to the prayer of his blood; and his ministers are to preach them to all the world. The earth sat still, and was at rest. It is not uncommon for the enemies of God to be at rest in sin, while his people are enduring correction, harassed by temptation, disquieted by fears of wrath, or groaning under oppression and persecution. Here are predictions which had reference to the revival of the Jews after the captivity, but those events were shadows of what shall take place in the church, after the oppression of the New Testament Babylon is ended. (Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary)
Then, when the surveying angels had made their report of the prosperity of the heathen, the angel of the Lord, the Angel, the Lord Christ, Mediator of the church, and Head of the church, answered and said; prays as one interceding.
O Lord of hosts: Christ speaks to his Father, speaks as one much affected with the state of his afflicted church.
How long wilt thou not have mercy? it is the expostulation that well befits a praying soul; it is not the inquiry of a discontented mind, but the request of one longing for mercy. So David, Psalm 13:1,2; and the souls under the altar, Revelation 6:10…
Then, when the surveying angels had made their report of the prosperity of the heathen, the angel of the Lord, the Angel, the Lord Christ, Mediator of the church, and Head of the church, answered and said; prays as one interceding.
O Lord of hosts: Christ speaks to his Father, speaks as one much affected with the state of his afflicted church. (Matthew Poole’s Commentary)
O Lord of hosts, how long wilt thou not have mercy on Jerusalem, and on the cities of Judah; which were fallen to ruin, and had lain waste for many years. These words are expressive of the intercession of Christ on the behalf of the people of the Jews, his professing people, both with respect to their temporal and spiritual good…
And the LORD answered the angel that talked with me with good words and comfortable words.
And the Lord answered the angel that talked with me,…. See Zechariah 1:9 what was the effect of Christ’s intercession for the people of the Jews, was communicated to a ministering angel, and by him to the Prophet Zechariah:
with good words, and comfortable words; such as would be for the good and comfort of God’s people, as follows; see Isaiah 40:1. (Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible)
Therefore, the text of Zechariah does nothing to undermine the omniscience or essential Deity of YHWH’s Messenger. Instead, it merely highlights the power and influence that this Angel has in moving YHWH to do what he desires. YHWH’s Angel did/does what the Lord Jesus Christ does in procuring the forgiveness and glorification of all believers by the power of his intercession:
“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. And not only this, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.” Romans 5:8-11
“What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He who indeed did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him graciously give us all things? Who will bring a charge against God’s elect? God is the one who justifies; who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us. Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will affliction, or turmoil, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Just as it is written, ‘For Your sake we are being put to death all day long; We were counted as sheep for the slaughter.’ But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:31-39
“Who rescued us from the authority of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For in Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, And in Him all things hold together. And He is the head of the body, the church; Who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything. For in Him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, And through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross—through Him—whether things on earth or things in heaven.” Colossians 1:13-20
“And the former priests, on the one hand, existed in greater numbers because they were prevented by death from continuing, but Jesus, on the other hand, because He continues forever, holds His priesthood permanently. Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. For it was fitting for us to have such a high priest, holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners and exalted above the heavens; who does not need daily, like those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the sins of the people, because this He did once for all when He offered up Himself. For the Law appoints men as high priests who are weak, but the word of the oath, which came after the Law, appoints a Son, who has been made perfect forever.” Hebrews 7:23-28
And the reason is obvious, namely, this specific Angel is not a creature but happens to be none other than Christ himself in his prehuman existence.
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