“But you will not leave in haste or go in flight; for the LORD will go before you, the God of Israel will be your rearguard. ~ Isaiah 52:12

When Israel left Egypt and went out marching through the wilderness for 40 years, who was at the back?

Who was at the tail-end, behind everyone else?

Answer:

The weak.
The tired.
The disabled, the elderly, the sick.
The unclean (ceremonially or otherwise), and the simply worn-out.

And who else?
God—but in no ordinary way—but as Rearguard.

So?

Soeeee? – In any group of people, where does God’s concern begin?

He raises the poor from the dust
and lifts the needy from the ash heap;
he seats them with princes
and has them inherit a throne of honor.
~ 1 Samuel 2:8

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you,
for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses,
so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
~ 2 Cor. 12:9