Across a dreary, desertlike expanse they journeyed. Already they began to wonder whither their course would lead; they were becoming weary with the toilsome way, and in some hearts began to arise a fear of pursuit by the Egyptians. But the cloud went forward, and they followed. And now the Lord directed Moses to turn aside into a rocky defile, and encamp beside the sea. It was revealed to him that Pharaoh would pursue them, but that God would be honored in their deliverance.

De rejste tværs over et stort, trist ørkenlandskab. De begyndte allerede at spekulere på, hvor deres vej ville føre hen. De var ved at blive trætte af den besværlige vandring, og nogle af dem begyndte at frygte for, at ægypterne ville forfølge dem. Men skyen gik fremad, og de fulgte efter.