And they moved on from Succoth and encamped at Etham, on the edge of the wilderness. 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. The pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night did not depart from before the people.
Exodus 13:20-22
The pillar of cloud and fire was one of the most distinctive and important factors in the history of Israel's journey to the Promised Land. It was looked back upon with wonder and awe by succeeding generations, and referred to again and again in the Scriptures of Old and New Testaments. It will be useful at this point in the story to anticipate some of the other references to the pillar throughout Exodus and elsewhere and gather up the teaching they afford not only concerning Israel's journeyings but also in relation to the spiritual life in general (cf 14:19, 20, 24; 33:9-11; 34:5; Numbers 9:15-22; Psalm 105:39). The pillar of cloud and fire was, first of all, the token of God's presence with them, and the assurance that He Who had brought them out of Egypt would bring them in to the Promised Land. This is the amazing reality throughout the story. Israel's history shows many ups and downs, many murmurings, failures and declensions, rebellions and backslidings, and God had perforce to chastise and rebuke them, smiting them with plagues and serpents and enemies, but He never left them. He is a covenant-keeping God, and day and night, in darkness and in light, His presence was always assured to them.