Nehemiah 9:19

19 "Because you loved them so much, you didn't leave them in the desert. During the day the pillar of cloud didn't stop guiding them on their path. At night the pillar of fire didn't stop shining on the way you wanted them to go.

Nehemiah 9:19 Meaning and Commentary

Nehemiah 9:19

Yet thou in thy manifold mercies forsookest them not in the
wilderness
Where no supply could be had, if he had cast them off, see ( Nehemiah 9:17 ) ,

the pillar of the cloud departed not from them by day, to lead them in
the way;
which, if it had, they would have been scorched by the heat of the sun:

neither the pillar of fire by night, to show them light, and the way
wherein they should go;
or otherwise they would have lost their way, and not have known which way to have gone.

Nehemiah 9:19 In-Context

17 They refused to listen to you. They forgot the miracles you had done among them. So they became stubborn. When they refused to obey you, they appointed a leader for themselves. They wanted to go back to being slaves in Egypt. But you are a God who forgives. You are gracious. You are tender and kind. You are slow to get angry. You are full of love. So you didn't desert them.

18 "They made for themselves a metal statue of a god that looked like a calf. They said, 'Here is your god. He brought you up out of Egypt.' And they did evil things that dishonored you. But you still didn't desert them.

19 "Because you loved them so much, you didn't leave them in the desert. During the day the pillar of cloud didn't stop guiding them on their path. At night the pillar of fire didn't stop shining on the way you wanted them to go.

20 You gave them your good Spirit to teach them. You didn't hold back your manna from their mouths. And you gave them water when they were thirsty.

21 For 40 years you took good care of them in the desert. They had everything they needed. Their clothes didn't wear out. And their feet didn't swell up.