GREAT LIGHT

Week 3: Great 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 10, Matthew 27:45-28:3, John 1

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.
Matt 4:14-16 14 that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying: 15 “The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, By the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles: 16 The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, And upon those who sat in the region and shadow of death
Light has dawned.”

Matt 27:45-46 45 Now from the sixth hour until the ninth hour there was darkness over all the land. 46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” that is, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”.

Matt 28:1-3 Now after the Sabbath, as the first day of the week began to dawn, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb. 2 And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat on it. 3 His countenance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow.

John 1:1-5 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. 4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.

Discussion Points

The old testament is a foreshadowing of the New Covenant ratified by Christ, and revealed to us in the new testament. Moses was a central figure in the old testament, and his life and ministry lay a n important foundation for the truths of the New Covenant. With this understanding, what are some ways in which this passage foreshadows the new testament?

1. The greater light of Christ in the New Testament banishes the shadows of the Old Testament. The entrance of light banishes the darkness, and exposes that which may have been hidden. With great light comes great clarity. There was some limited light in the old testament (hence the shadows) but Christ Himself brings great light. Without the understanding of Christ, we cannot accurately interpret the old testament scriptures. We must therefore dig deep into the knowledge of Christ as revealed in the new testament in order to understand what the old testament is really saying concerning us.
2. God’s salvation plan through Christ is revealed in the events of Exodus. The darkness over Egypt for 3 days was an act of judgement. In establishing the New Covenant, Christ Himself, being the light, fully met the demands of judgment on the cross. He made a public show of His triumph, that of light over darkness in those 3 days of death, and thereby completely destroyed the power of death (Heb 2:14-15). We are now beneficiaries of Christ’s finished work, having been translated from darkness into light (1 Pet 2:9).
3. The Word of God is the ultimate Source of light. We see in our readings that what determined the emergence of light was not the natural cycle of day and night, but the Word of God. From Genesis through to The Revelation, we are told and shown several times that God is the ultimate source of light. To access that which God has made available to us, we need to draw near to that source of light, with eyes wide open (See 2 Cor 3:18).

Closing thoughts:

Light is supreme over darkness. Nonetheless there are degrees of light, which means that sometimes even in the presence of light there can be some darkness. But in the presence of the great light, every darkness is completely banished. Our journey is gradual, and so we ought to progress from one level of glory (light) to another. Without light there is no progress but as light increases, so does our progress. Everything we have learned from this study teaches us that the solution to any and every problem we may encounter is light, and the degree of it. Once we can walk in that light, we will find and walk in that for which we are believing God.

Psa 36:9 For with You is the fountain of life; In Your light we see light

Application Questions (use scriptures to support your position):

1. “The only reason that a Christian would suffer under any form of spiritual bondage is because of the absence of light”. Agree / disagree with reasons.
2. “Not only must every serious Christian know the ten commandments by heart, they must also be seen to actively fulfil these more than the non-believer; for in so doing our righteousness is demonstrated”. Agree / disagree with reasons.