Exodus 13:17-18

When the king of Egypt let the people go, God did not take them by the road that goes up the coast to Philistia, although it was the shortest way. God thought, “I do not want the people to change their minds and return to Egypt when they see that they are going to have to fight.” Instead, he led them in a roundabout way through the desert toward the Red Sea. The Israelites were armed for battle.