Rebbi — Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi — told a parable about the Roman emperor Antoninus that illuminates why God personally guided Israel through the wilderness.
Antoninus was presiding at the dais one evening when darkness fell. His sons were still there, unable to see their way. When the proceedings ended, the emperor took the lantern himself and lit the path for his children.
The nobles standing nearby were astonished. "Let us carry the lantern for your sons," they offered. Surely the emperor had servants and attendants for such tasks. But Antoninus refused. "It is not that I have no one to carry the lantern," he said. "I want to impress upon you my love for my sons, so that you will treat them honorably."
The meaning of the parable is unmistakable. God did not need to lead Israel through the desert with a pillar of cloud and fire. He has countless angels who could have served as guides. But He chose to do it Himself — not because He lacked servants, but because He wanted the nations of the world to see how much He loves His children.
When the nations witness God personally illuminating the path for Israel, they understand that this people is cherished beyond measure. The pillar of cloud and fire was not merely navigation. It was a public declaration of divine love, visible to every nation on earth.