Pillars of Cloud and Fire (Exodus 13:17-22)

17 When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them by way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near. For God said, “Lest the people change their minds when they see war and return to Egypt.” [God chose an “irregular” exodus route for several reasons. The first is the presence of the militaristic Philistines.] 18 But God led the people around by the way of the wilderness toward the Red Sea. And the people of Israel went up out of the land of Egypt equipped for battle [literally in Hebrew “organized by fifties,” the smallest fighting units that we would call “squads”]. 19 Moses took the bones of Joseph with him, for Joseph had made the sons of Israel solemnly swear, saying, “God will surely visit you, and you shall carry up my bones with you from here.” [This verse connects the exodus back to Joseph and the promises he made his sons keep to take his body back to the land God had promised to give his fathers.] 20 And they moved on from Succoth and encamped at Etham [unknown location except that it is on the edge of civilized Egypt], on the edge of the wilderness [the dessert]. 21 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. [Moses introduces the special visible symbol of God’s presence to guide and protect the Israelites in the wilderness. It is the same pillar that appears differently by day and by night.] 22 The pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night did not depart from before the people. [The people of God were comforted day and night seeing his leading, guiding presence.]