GREAT LIGHT

Week 1: Our Lord, Our Light

During this study, we will be doing a ‘deep dive’ into a scriptural passage. It is strongly encouraged that you study the passage and entire chapter ahead of the study. Also be prepared with your research tools, for example Google or your study Bible, as you will need to reference it during the study. Spend time answering and discussing each question with the intention to gain sufficient understanding to help your own private Bible study as you further explore these topics.

Study Chapters: Exodus 5-12

Pilot text

Exodus 10:21-23 21 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand toward heaven, that there may be darkness over the land of Egypt, darkness which may even be felt.” 22 So Moses stretched out his hand toward heaven, and there was thick darkness in all the land of Egypt three days. 23 They did not see one another; nor did anyone rise from his place for three days. But all the children of Israel had light in their dwellings.
Psa 36:9 For with You is the fountain of life; In Your light we see light.

Discussion Points

1. Consider the wider context of the pilot text. Why did it come to this?
2. What was the overall significance of the plagues in Egypt [see Exo 12:12]?
3. What does light signify in this passage, within the Egyptian sociocultural context of the time, but also more broadly?
4. What are some of the consequences of a lack of light, as seen from our pilot text?
5. What do our pilot scriptures tell us about the true source of light?

Closing thoughts: Darkness is the absence of light, yet the reverse is not the case – light is not simply the absence of darkness. Instead, light is the result of creative activity, evidenced from Genesis 1, and consistent with our understand of the physical world around us. This is an important distinction to make. While light gives us the liberty to progress towards purpose, darkness brings bondage and a lack of progress (see v.23). We see from this story that darkness was ultimately the result of Pharaoh’s stubbornness and refusal to listen to God. In the same way when we do not hear God, either by choice (Pharaoh) or because of something / someone else (many of the people of Egypt) the inevitable result is darkness. We cannot get rid of darkness by removing it. Instead, the only way to get rid of darkness is to restore that which is missing, that is light. And the only way to bring light is to connect into that creative source.

Application Questions (use scriptures to support your position):

1. Someone you know says “I only listen to God directly, and never any man”. What would be your response to that person?
2. A friend comes to you for advice. She has just put herself forward for a task at work, which would help her career prospects. She has now been assigned that task; however she doesn’t know how to go about it and is starting to panic. She needs some guidance as to how she should pray. What would you advise her?