Light and Darkness

And God said, "Let there be light," and there was light. And God saw that the light was good. And God separated the light from the darkness. (Ge 1:3-4)

So Moses stretched out his hand toward heaven, and there was pitch darkness in all the land of Egypt three days. They did not see one another, nor did anyone rise from his place for three days, but all the people of Israel had light where they lived. (Ex 10:22-23)

Then the angel of God who was going before the host of Israel moved and went behind them, and the pillar of cloud moved from before them and stood behind them, coming between the host of Egypt and the host of Israel. And there was the cloud and the darkness. And it lit up the night without one coming near the other all night. (Ex 14:19-20)


Right from the beginning God has been separating light from darkness. God himself is described in terms of light - all that is good and upright and noble and true without deceit or any fear or shame of being on display. This is in contrast to the darkness, those deeds which are shameful to be exposed, that are corrupt and deceitful.

When God comes into a situation, as with creation, the first thing he does is to bring a separation between light and darkness. The story of the Exodus is a parallel with our own salvation, and here again the separation takes place. Those who belong to God have light, while those who are opposed to God have darkness. It is interesting that the very same presence of God in the cloud, brought light to some, yet darkness to others. (This is taken up in the minor prophets like Joel and Amos who warn a rebellious people that they should not expect the day of the Lord's coming to be one of light but of darkness.)

But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn,
which shines brighter and brighter until full day.
The way of the wicked is like deep darkness;
they do not know over what they stumble. (Pr 4:18-19)

The same division took place when we turned to the Lord. For no one can accept Jesus as Lord without repentance and faith. Repentance which turns away from all that is darkness, and faith that embraces all that is light.

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. (1Pe 2:9)

This is not just a one off separation, but an on going process of sanctification as we learn to bring this separation to our own lives, and embrace all that is light and reject all that is darkness. A good way to live a life pleasing to God is to "turn the light on" - live as if you were on display to the world... Because you know what?... You are!

For at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible (Eph 5:8-13)