…a people dwelling alone, and not counting itself among the nations!

Numbers 23:9 ESV

“to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.”

Luke 1:79 ESV

Israel was sitting in the shadow of death. There was someone on top of the looming mountain desiring their destruction. God was literally leading them by His Light, the pillar of fire. They had no plan of attacking Moab and wanted to go the way of peace. Israel had no country, but it was a kingdom, with God Himself as their king.

We Christians are in a similar position. We are not of this world. We are citizens of heaven. We should dwell set apart to God. Jesus tells us that if we follow Him, which is the way of peace, we will not walk in the darkness but will have the light of life (John 8:12). We’ll have Jesus, our King, and the light of this world and of the world to come.