Exodus 13:17-22

The Voice

¹⁷ After Pharaoh sent the people out, God did not take them by the coastal road that runs through the land of the Philistines, even though that was the nearest and easiest route. Instead, God said, “For if they see battle with those contentious Philistines, they might regret their decision and then return to Egypt.” ¹⁸ So God chose a different, longer path that led the community of His people through the desert toward the Red Sea. The Israelites marched out of the land of Egypt like an army ready for battle.

¹⁹ Moses took the bones of Joseph with him, for Joseph made the Israelites swear an oath, “God will certainly come and rescue you. Carry my bones with you when you leave this place.”^[a]

²⁰ The people of Israel departed from Succoth and set up camp in Etham at the edge of the desert. ²¹ The Eternal went on ahead to guide them during the day in a cloud shaped like a pillar; at night He appeared to them in a fire shaped like a pillar to light their way. So they were able to travel by day and by night. ²² The Eternal did not remove the cloud pillar or the fire pillar; by day and by night it continued to go ahead of the people.