The Angel and Pillar of Cloud Shift to Guard Israel's Rear

"And the angel of God who went before the camp of Israel moved and went behind them" (Exodus 14:19). What does Scripture teach by "And the pillar of cloud moved from before them and stood behind them"? Rather, that very attribute of strict justice which had been stretched out against Israel, the Holy One, blessed be He, turned it against the Egyptians. "And the angel of God moved." Rabbi Yehudah says: This is a verse rich in many places. They told a parable. To what is the matter like? To one who was walking on the road with his son walking before him. Bandits came to seize the boy, so he took him from before him and placed him behind him. A wolf came to take him from behind, so he took him and placed him upon his arms, as it is said, "I taught Ephraim to walk, taking them on his arms" (Hosea 11:3). The son began to suffer from the heat of the sun, so he spread his garment over him, as it is said, "He spread a cloud for a covering" (Psalms 105:39). He grew hungry, so he fed him bread, as it is said, "Behold, I will rain bread for you" (Exodus 16:4). He grew thirsty, so he gave him water to drink, as it is said, "And He brought streams out of the rock," and streams means nothing but living water. Rabbi Nathan asked Rabbi Shimon ben Yohai: Everywhere it says "the angel of the LORD," "the angel of the LORD said to her" (Genesis 16:7), "the angel of the LORD appeared" (Exodus 3:2), yet here it says "the angel of God." He said to him: "God" everywhere means nothing but justice. Scripture teaches that Israel stood in judgment at that hour, whether to be saved or to be lost with the Egyptians.