The pillar of cloud and fire leads Israel
God led Israel by the wilderness route toward the Red Sea rather than the shorter Philistine road. The LORD went before them in a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night, and Moses carried Joseph's bones (Exodus 13:17-22).
17When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them along the road through the land of the Philistines, though it was shorter. For God said, “If the people face war, they might change their minds and return to Egypt.” 18So God led the people around by the way of the wilderness toward the Red Sea. And the Israelites left the land of Egypt arrayed for battle. 19Moses took the bones of Joseph with him because Joseph had made the sons of Israel swear a solemn oath when he said, “God will surely attend to you, and then you must carry my bones with you from this place.”
