And they took their journey from Succoth, and encamped in Etham, in the edge of the wilderness.
Israel journeyed from Succoth and encamped at Etham, in the edge of the wilderness. This halt at Etham belonged to the southward route toward the Red Sea, for God led the people about through the way of the wilderness of the Red Sea rather than by the nearer, direct road through Philistine territory. The movement was made in haste yet in order, arranged in companies with a leader appointed over each, and the host included a mixed multitude with very many flocks and herds. With them Moses carried the bones of Joseph, in fulfillment of Joseph's oath that God would surely visit Israel.
God turned them away from the direct route through Philistia because the people were unprepared and lacking confidence, and He knew they would repent when they saw war and return to Egypt. The Philistines would have regarded Israel as fugitives escaping from their rightful masters and would have made war upon them. To spare them that encounter by the longer wilderness way was an act of divine compassion, while God remained a God of judgment who Himself directed where Israel should encamp with full knowledge that Pharaoh would pursue.
On this journey the Lord went before them in a pillar of cloud by day to lead them the way, and in a pillar of fire by night to give them light, that they might go by day and by night. He did not remove the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night from before the people. The Leader present in that pillar of cloud was Jesus Christ.
The cloud both guided them and sheltered them from the desert heat, refreshing them with its coolness and moisture, while the fire lighted their camp by night and assured them of God's presence. This separation from Egypt at the wilderness edge gave Israel opportunity to know God and Jesus Christ and to learn obedience to their invisible Leader. Beyond its place in the history of Israel's journey from Egypt, no further detail is given concerning this particular encampment.
Israel journeyed from Succoth and encamped at Etham, in the edge of the wilderness. This halt at Etham belonged to the southward route toward the Red Sea, for God led the people about through the way of the wilderness of the Red Sea rather than by the nearer, direct road through Philistine territory. The movement was made in haste yet in order, arranged in companies with a leader appointed over each, and the host included a mixed multitude with very many flocks and herds. With them Moses carried the bones of Joseph, in fulfillment of Joseph's oath that God would surely visit Israel.
God turned them away from the direct route through Philistia because the people were unprepared and lacking confidence, and He knew they would repent when they saw war and return to Egypt. The Philistines would have regarded Israel as fugitives escaping from their rightful masters and would have made war upon them. To spare them that encounter by the longer wilderness way was an act of divine compassion, while God remained a God of judgment who Himself directed where Israel should encamp with full knowledge that Pharaoh would pursue.
On this journey the Lord went before them in a pillar of cloud by day to lead them the way, and in a pillar of fire by night to give them light, that they might go by day and by night. He did not remove the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night from before the people. The Leader present in that pillar of cloud was Jesus Christ.
The cloud both guided them and sheltered them from the desert heat, refreshing them with its coolness and moisture, while the fire lighted their camp by night and assured them of God's presence. This separation from Egypt at the wilderness edge gave Israel opportunity to know God and Jesus Christ and to learn obedience to their invisible Leader. Beyond its place in the history of Israel's journey from Egypt, no further detail is given concerning this particular encampment.