Exodus 13:19
And Moses took the bones of Joseph with him: for he had straitly sworn the children of Israel, saying, God will surely visit you; and ye shall carry up my bones away hence with you. And Moses took the bones of Joseph with him: for he had straitly sworn the children of Israel, saying, God will surely visit you; and ye shall carry up my bones away hence with you.
Exodus 13:19 belongs to the account of Israel's departure from Egypt and journey into the wilderness, when God was bringing Israel out of bondage and separating them from Egypt so they could know Him, obey their invisible Leader, and learn what He would be to them. Moses took and carried Joseph's bones out of Egypt with him and with Israel, because Joseph had made the children of Israel solemnly swear that when God visited them to deliver them and bring them out, they would carry his bones up and take them away with them from Egypt. During Israel's long oppression those bones were a precious reminder that God would deliver them. Moses carrying the bones fulfilled Joseph's sworn request and solemn charge and God's promise to bring Israel out of bondage. This took place when God did not lead Israel by the near road through Philistine country lest they turn back at the sight of war, but led them around by the wilderness road toward the Red Sea, on the journey from Succoth to Etham under the pillar of cloud by day and pillar of fire by night.