17. When the king of Egypt let the people go, God did not take them by the road that goes up the coast to Philistia, although it was the shortest way. God thought, “I do not want the people to change their minds and return to Egypt when they see that they are going to have to fight.”
18. Instead, he led them in a roundabout way through the desert towards the Red Sea. The Israelites were armed for battle.
19. Moses took the body of Joseph with him, as Joseph had made the Israelites solemnly promise to do. Joseph had said, “When God rescues you, you must carry my body with you from this place.”
20. The Israelites left Sukkoth and camped at Etham on the edge of the desert.
21. During the day the Lord went in front of them in a pillar of cloud to show them the way, and during the night he went in front of them in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel night and day.
22. The pillar of cloud was always in front of the people during the day, and the pillar of fire at night.