Yahweh is able to defeat any enemy, so why didn't he lead them by the way of the land of the Philistines?
Answer From The Annual Reading Schedule - Week 16 Notes For Exodus: Exodus 13:17 states that Yahweh knew the people might see fighting, and turn back around to Mitsrayim (Egypt) if they went that way. However, still some might wonder, can't Yahweh defeat any enemy so why not go that way anyhow? Yes, Yahweh can defeat any enemy. However, Yahweh knew that such a situation might discourage the people and they might choose to go back. This shows that He was letting, and wanted to let, the people make the decision to go out into the wilderness. He did not want to "force them" to go into the wilderness, but rather wanted them to choose to follow Him of their own free will. So, in His wisdom and mercy, He did not want to put them in a situation that, while following Him, would be too hard on them so early on in their journeys of following Him. He wanted good for them, and knew being in Mitsrayim in bondage was not good for them. In addition, Yahweh was to esteem His Name through Paroh (Pharaoh) and his army in Exodus 14 when the Sons of Yisra'el (Israel) walked through the sea on dry land, but the Mitsrites were destroyed. This became known all throughout the world and the Name of Yahweh was known throughout many nations because of this. We see evidence of this in later times like Joshua 2:10 and 1 Samuel 6:6 which shows that foreigners knew of these great acts.