Led by Cloud and Fire

¹⁷When Pharaoh had let the people go, God did not lead them by the way of the land of the Philistines, although it was near, for God said, "Perhaps the people will repent when they see war and return to Egypt." ¹⁸Instead, God led the people on a roundabout path through the wilderness toward the Red Sea. The Israelites left Egypt armed. ¹⁹Moses brought the bones of Joseph with him, because Joseph had made the Israelites swear an oath, saying, "God will certainly come to your aid. When he does, you must carry my bones out of here with you." ²⁰They left Succoth and set up camp at Etham, on the edge of the wilderness. ²¹The LORD went ahead of them — during the day as a pillar of cloud to guide their way, and at night as a pillar of fire to give them light — so they could travel both day and night. ²²The pillar of cloud never left them during the day, and the pillar of fire never left them at night.