Exodus 13:17-21

The Pillar of Cloud and the Pillar of Fire

¹⁷ Now when Pharaoh had let the people go , God did not lead them by the way of the land of the Philistines , even though it was near ; for God said , " The people might change their minds when they see war , and return to Egypt ." ¹⁸ Hence God led the people around by the way of the wilderness to the Red e Sea ; and the sons of Israel went up in martial array from the land of Egypt . ¹⁹ Moses took the bones of Joseph with him, for he had made the sons of Israel solemnly swear , saying , "God will surely take care of you, and you shall carry my bones from here with you." ²⁰ Then they set out from Succoth and camped in Etham on the edge of the wilderness . ²¹ The Lord was going before them in a pillar of cloud by day to lead them on the way , and in a pillar of fire by night to give them light , that they might travel by day and by night .

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Matthew Henry's Commentary on Exodus 13:17-21

Commentary on Exodus 13:17-20

(Read Exodus 13:17-20)

There were two ways from Egypt to Canaan. One was only a few days' journey; the other was much further about, through the wilderness, and that was the way in which God chose to lead his people Israel. The Egyptians were to be drowned in the Red sea; the Israelites were to be humbled and proved in the wilderness. God's way is the right way, though it seems about. If we think he leads not his people the nearest way, yet we may be sure he leads them the best way, and so it will appear when we come to our journey's end. The Philistines were powerful enemies; it was needful that the Israelites should be prepared for the wars of Canaan, by passing through the difficulties of the wilderness. Thus God proportions his people's trials to their strength, 1 Corinthians 10:13. They went up in good order. They went up in five in a rank, some; in five bands, so others, which it seems rather to their faith and hope, that God would bring them to Canaan, in expectation of which they carried these bones with them while in the desert.