the Angel of the LORD] As Genesis 48:16. Judg. 6. 12. Acts 7:30. This is not a created Angel, but the Angel of the Covenant, Exod. 23. vers. 20, 21, 22. (to wit, Christ) who is not onely the Angel of the Lord, but the Lord of Angels, Heb. 1. 6, 7. and (by apposition) the Lord the Angel, or the Angel the Lord; for he is called God, vers. 4. 6. 13. Jehovah, vers. 7. appeared to him] As some conceive in an humane shape, as a preludium or fore-shewing of his Incarnation in time to come: but the Text saith, (in the next words) it was in a flame of fire. in a flame of fire] A representation of glory, and terrour, to make him awfully apprehensive of the divine Majestie, and (withall) as well to erect him, with confidence, as to humble him, with reverence. bush not consumed] The word Seneh signifieth a dry bush; the more strange that it was not consumed, since God is a consuming fire, Hebrews 12:29. but that is to the wicked, who are compared to briars and thornes, Isaiah 9:18. to such his indignation is a devouring fire, an everlasting burning, Isaiah 33:14. But this bush signifieth the Church, and therefore though it seeme all on fire, either by reason of the divine presence, or humane persecutions, it is so preserved by God, that it is not consumed. See Isaiah 43:2. &Daniel 3:27.