The Lord went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to lead them on their way during the day and in a pillar of fire to give them light at night, so that they could travel day or night.The pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night never left its place in front of the people.
Moses was unable to enter the tent of meeting because the cloud rested on it, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle.The Israelites set out whenever the cloud was taken up from the tabernacle throughout all the stages of their journey.If the cloud was not taken up, they did not set out until the day it was taken up.For the cloud of the Lord was over the tabernacle by day, and there was a fire inside the cloud by night, visible to the entire house of Israel throughout all the stages of their journey.
You did not abandon them in the wilderness because of Your great compassion. During the day the pillar of cloud never turned away from them, guiding them on their journey. And during the night the pillar of fire illuminated the way they should go.