נחמיה, פרק ט׳, פסוק י״ב

Continuing their historical review, the Levites recount God's kindness toward the Israelites immediately after their departure from Egypt, following the exact chronological order of events [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. This miraculous guidance served as a powerful sign of the nation's unique status. It proved that God dwelled directly among the people, moving ahead of them like a king leading His subjects within His cloud of glory [מלבי"ם].

God actively directed the nation's journey through the wilderness. During the daylight hours, He showed them the proper way using a pillar of cloud [מצודת דוד]. This divine kindness was not a fleeting or one-time event, but a constant reality that occurred every single day [רש"י]. When darkness fell, His care and direction continued uninterrupted. A pillar of fire replaced the cloud, designed specifically to light up the path the Israelites needed to walk throughout the night [ביאור שטיינזלץ].