During the exodus from Egypt, the people had a miraculous theophany to lead them through the wilderness as they journeyed to the promised land. Moses says, "And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead them along the way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, that they might travel by day and by night" (Exodus 13:21). This pillar of cloud and fire led them and protected them until they had reached their destination.
In John's gospel account, Jesus declares, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness but will have the light of life" (John 8:12), recalling to the Jews' minds when their forefathers were led through the wilderness and darkness. Jesus seems to be associating himself with this exodus event, while also revealing the truth of a greater mystery - that he would lead his people from the bondage of their sin, through the wilderness of this evil age, and into the promised New Jerusalem.
This was the New Testament apostles' understanding of the Old Testament. Jude says, "Now I want to remind you, although you once fully knew it, that Jesus, who once saved a people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe" (Jude 5, ESV translation).
We attempt to conjure other means of salvation - other paths to the Father, but "there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:12). He is the Light that we have always followed, since the beginning.
SDG
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