© Charles Chandler

 

Exodus 13

 

21 (J) 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.

Sounds like the pharaoh wanted to lead the way, but didn't want to camp with the exiles — perhaps he wanted to have secret meetings with people he met along the way.