And it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God led them not through the way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said, Lest peradventure the people repent when they see war, and they return to Egypt:
After Pharaoh allowed the people to leave, God didn't lead them through the land of the Philistines, even though it was close. God did this because he didn't want the people to change their minds when they saw fighting and go back to Egypt.