Follow the Light
How God Reveals Himself through Light
by
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DAY ONE
FOLLOW THE LEADER
“For this God is our God for ever and ever; He will be our guide even to the end.” Psalm 48:14
When I was in boot camp, we marched everywhere. It was an efficient and organized way of moving our unit from one location to the next. The key to marching in formation was following the leader, or our “guidon bearer.” The guidon bearer holds the unit’s flag, is always the most visible person in the military unit, and always in front of the formation. The guidon, or flag, represents the unit, and stays with the unit constantly. In years gone by the guidon was also a weapon.
Read Exodus 13:20-22. When the Israelites left Egypt how did God appear?
Why did God appear in these forms?
According to Exodus 13:22, when did the pillar leave the people?
What did the cloud do in Exodus 14:19-20?
God was the Israelites guidon. All the people had to do was follow the pillar of a cloud or pillar of fire. The cloud and fire represented more to the Israelites than a guide. The pillar represented God’s observable presence with His people. In addition to guiding the Israelites, the pillar was protection and a visible identification of who the Israelites were and who they belonged to.
Is God your guidon? ________ What identifies you as a child of God?
MORE TO THE STORY
The parting of the Red Sea is one of the most famous miracles in the Exodus story. But let’s consider other portions of the narrative. Take a look at Exodus 14:19-20 again. What did the cloud do to the Egyptians?
What did the same cloud provide to the Israelites?
This special cloud from God did something else in Exodus 19:9 and 16-19. What did it do?
Not only did the cloud provide guidance and protection, it spoke! In Exodus 20, the Lord was in the cloud when He gave Moses the Ten Commandments.
What does God intend to do in Exodus 25:8?
While in the desert, God gives Moses specific instructions for building a Tabernacle (Exodus 26-31). The Tabernacle is completed in Exodus 40. What happens in Exodus 40:34-38? (The same event is documented in Leviticus 9:23-24.)
We just learned from our study of the word “Light” (pages __ - __), that the glory of the Lord is light. God’s glory filled the Tabernacle.
During their time in the wilderness, God was visibly present with His people. He appeared as a cloud and a pillar of fire (Exodus 13:21), as fire on Mount Sinai (Exodus 19:18), and as a cloud over the Tabernacle (Exodus 40:34-38). In his book, The Shekinah Glory, George L. Miller explains that the visible manifestation of God and the presence of God is known as the “Shekinah.” The word “Shekinah” is not in the Bible, but the word “Trinity” is not in the Bible either. However, the Bible clearly teaches that we worship one God, presented as three distinct personalities. “Shekinah” is the Hebrew word to express the presence of God on earth.
In Leviticus 16:2, where does God say He will appear?
The first reference to God leading the Israelites as a pillar of fire or a cloud is in Exodus 13:21. The last reference to the Lord appearing in this form is near the end of Moses's life, recorded in Deuteronomy 31:15. God has brought the Israelites to the edge of the Promised Land. The Lord was visibly present with the Israelites for 40 years! Light, in its many forms, is a similar reminder of the presence of God in our daily lives.
In the New Testament, we find Jesus with the same attributes found in the God of the Old Testament. Write Colossians 2:9 here:
How does Jesus describe Himself in John 8:12?
Write a prayer thanking God for His constant presence and guidance in your life.
Formats
Book Details
About the Book
We know how the story begins.
Now take a fresh look at God’s first recorded words.
And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light (Genesis 1:3).
In John 8:12, Jesus said, “I am the light of the world.” This light goes on forever, just as the love of God never ends. Follow the Light links the first words God spoke in the Bible to the experiences of God’s people and the teachings of Jesus Christ. Delve into an exploration of the Scriptures, considering all the ways that light is a metaphor for God, His Kingdom, and His infinite love. Created for individuals and small groups, Follow the Light examines God’s presence in various forms of light, and uses numerous scriptural references to show us that the presence of our Heavenly Father is all around us.
This eight-week study is divided into personal, daily assignments along with suggested prayer topics to encourage regular conversations with our Heavenly Father. The final chapter is designed as a self-reflection tool and offers suggestions to develop a rich and fulfilling prayer life.
As you complete this Bible study, and contemplate on the glory of God’s Word and the vastness of His creation, you will begin to feel our Heavenly Father’s constant presence and visibility in your life.
… and there was beautiful, life-giving, and loving light.
About the Author
Julie Garro loves the Lord and is passionate about understanding Scripture. She used the skills she gained during her career in training and human resources to craft this Bible study. She is married, has two children, and calls Mansfield, Texas home.