21 And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night:
21 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 of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night.
21 And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead them along the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, that they might travel by day and by night.
21 God went ahead of them in a Pillar of Cloud during the day to guide them on the way, and at night in a Pillar of Fire to give them light; thus they could travel both day and night.
21 And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so as to go by day and night.
21 The Lord went ahead of them. He guided them during the day with a pillar of cloud, and he provided light at night with a pillar of fire. This allowed them to travel by day or by night.
34 And the cloud of the Lord was upon them by day, when they went out of the camp.
34 The cloud of the Lord was over them by day when they set out from the camp.
34 And the cloud of the Lord was over them by day, whenever they set out from the camp.
34 The Cloud of God was above them by day when they marched from the camp.
34 And the cloud of the Lord was above them by day when they went out from the camp.
34 As they moved on each day, the cloud of the Lord hovered over them.
(Read Numbers 10:33-36)
Their going out and coming in, gives an example to us to begin and end every day's journey and every day's work with prayer. Here is Moses's prayer when the ark set forward, "Rise up, and let thine enemies be scattered." There are those in the world who are enemies to God and haters of him; secret and open enemies; enemies to his truths, his laws, his ordinances, his people. But for the scattering and defeating of God's enemies, there needs no more than God's arising. Observe also the prayer of Moses when the ark rested, that God would cause his people to rest. The welfare and happiness of the Israel of God, consist in the continual presence of God among them. Their safety is not in their numbers, but in the favour of God, and his gracious return to them, and resting with them. Upon this account, Happy art thou, O Israel! who is like unto thee, O people! God will go before them, to find them resting-places by the way. His promise is, and their prayers are, that he will never leave them nor forsake them.
13 And Moses said unto the Lord, Then the Egyptians shall hear it, (for thou broughtest up this people in thy might from among them;)
13 Moses said to the Lord, "Then the Egyptians will hear about it! By your power you brought these people up from among them.
13 But Moses said to the Lord, "Then the Egyptians will hear of it, for you brought up this people in your might from among them,
13 But Moses said to God, "The Egyptians are going to hear about this! You delivered this people from Egypt with a great show of strength, and now this?
13 And Moses said to the Lord: "Then the Egyptians will hear it, for by Your might You brought these people up from among them,
13 But Moses objected. "What will the Egyptians think when they hear about it?" he asked the Lord . "They know full well the power you displayed in rescuing your people from Egypt.
(Read Numbers 14:11-19)
Moses made humble intercession for Israel. Herein he was a type of Christ, who prayed for those that despitefully used him. The pardon of a nation's sin, is the turning away the nation's punishment; and for that Moses is here so earnest. Moses argued that, consistently with God's character, in his abundant mercies, he could forgive them.
39 He spread a cloud for a covering; and fire to give light in the night.
39 He spread out a cloud as a covering, and a fire to give light at night.
39 He spread a cloud for a covering, and fire to give light by night.
39 God spread a cloud to keep them cool through the day and a fire to light their way through the night;
39 He spread a cloud for a covering, And fire to give light in the night.
39 The Lord spread a cloud above them as a covering and gave them a great fire to light the darkness.
(Read Psalm 105:24-45)
As the believer commonly thrives best in his soul when under the cross; so the church also flourishes most in true holiness, and increases in number, while under persecution. Yet instruments shall be raised up for their deliverance, and plagues may be expected by persecutors. And see the special care God took of his people in the wilderness. All the benefits bestowed on Israel as a nation, were shadows of spiritual blessings with which we are blessed in Christ Jesus. Having redeemed us with his blood, restored our souls to holiness, and set us at liberty from Satan's bondage, he guides and guards us all the way. He satisfies our souls with the bread of heaven, and the water of life from the Rock of salvation, and will bring us safely to heaven. He redeems his servants from all iniquity, and purifies them unto himself, to be a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Exodus 13:21
Commentary on Exodus 13:21-22
(Read Exodus 13:21-22)
The Lord went before them in a pillar, or appearance of the Divine Majesty. Christ was with the church in the wilderness, John 14:6.