Leaving Egypt

When Pharaoh let the people go,
God did not lead them on the road
through the Philistine country,
though that was shorter.
For God said, "If they face war,
they might change their minds and return to Egypt."
So God led the people around by the desert road
toward the Red Sea.
The Israelites went up out of Egypt armed for battle.

Moses took the bones of Joseph with him
because Joseph had made the sons of Israel
swear an oath.  He had said,
"God will surely come to your aid,
and then you must carry my bones
up with you from this place."

After leaving Succoth
they camped at Etham on the edge of the desert.
By day the Lord went ahead of them
in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way
and by night in a pillar fire to give them light,
so that they could travel by day or night.
Neither the pillar of cloud by day
nor the pillar fire by night
left its place in front of the people.

(Exodus 13:17-22)