John Calvin Commentary Exodus 13:17

"And it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God led them not by 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:" — Exodus 13:17 (ASV)

And it came to pass when Pharaoh. Moses here explains why God did not immediately lead His people by the more direct route into the land of Canaan. This would have been just as easy for Him, but He preferred to lead them around through the desert, by a long, difficult, and dangerous journey. The reason was this: namely, that if they had perhaps met enemies to fight, an easy way to return would have encouraged them to go back into Egypt.

We know how great the apathy and cowardice of this people were, as soon as any difficulty arose. We also know how quick they were to rebel against God's rule whenever a burden heavier than they liked was placed on them. We know how often they regretted following God as their leader and were thus prepared to reject, through their ingratitude, the grace offered to them.

Therefore, when they were unskilled with weapons and completely inexperienced in warfare, how courageously would they have faced an enemy if one had attacked them within a few days of their departure? Certainly, they would not have withstood a single attack. Instead, they would have been more willing to submit to the Egyptians, humbly begging for forgiveness. To prevent any desire to return from creeping into their hearts, God set up a barrier behind them in the difficulty of the journey.

Moreover, if, upon leaving Egypt, they had immediately faced the inhabitants of Canaan in war, greater troubles would have awaited them. The Egyptians would certainly not have left them alone. Instead, aided by the support and forces of many peoples, they would have tried to avenge themselves and, having formed alliances on every side, would have surrounded the unfortunate Israelites.

Therefore, God made excellent provision for them by leading them through inaccessible paths. Through their sheer exhaustion, He closed off any desire for them to return to Egypt. Afterward, He gradually restored their confidence before they had to fight and endure the attacks of their enemies.

Indeed, I admit that God could have prevented all these evils in other ways. However, since He is often accustomed to deal with His people in ways that accommodate human nature, He chose to use the method most suited to their weakness.

Moses now praises this admirable plan of His, so that we may know that He omitted nothing that was for the safety and benefit of His people.

For this “God said,” which Moses mentions, refers to His providence. This is to say that the easier and more common route was not rejected without purpose, but because God knew it to be more beneficial, He thus deliberately prevented the temptation.