19 The angel of God , who had been going before the camp of Israel , moved and went behind e them; and the pillar of cloud moved from before e them and stood behind e them. 20 So it came between the camp of Egypt and the camp of Israel ; and there was the cloud along with the darkness , yet it gave light at night . Thus the one did not come near the other all night .

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Exodus 14:19-20

Commentary on Exodus 14:15-20

(Read Exodus 14:15-20)

Moses' silent prayers of faith prevailed more with God than Israel's loud outcries of fear. The pillar of cloud and fire came behind them, where they needed a guard, and it was a wall between them and their enemies. The word and providence of God have a black and dark side toward sin and sinners, but a bright and pleasant side toward the people of the Lord. He, who divided between light and darkness, Genesis 1:4, allotted darkness to the Egyptians, and light to the Israelites. Such a difference there will be between the inheritance of the saints in light, and that utter darkness which will be the portion of hypocrites for ever.