An analogy: A man was walking on the road leading his son before him, when robbers came to snatch his son — whereupon he placed him behind him — whereupon a wolf came to snatch him from behind — whereupon he placed him before him. Robbers before him and a wolf behind him, he took his son and placed him on his shoulder, viz.: (Devarim 1:31) "… and in the desert, where you saw how the L–rd your G–d bore you, as a man bears his son.
Then Robbers Appear Ahead on the Road
Mekhilta Tractate Bachodesh 2:8