Exodus 13:18

Through the way. Literally, “toward the way” (see on v. 18). At Succoth, Israel’s first place of encampment, their organization, for which some provision had already been made (PP 281), was probably completed. The shortest and most direct route from Egypt to Canaan would have been by the coast road to Gaza, which was about 160 mi. from Succoth. Before they were ready to take possession of the land of Canaan they must first be welded together as a nation and learn to trust God, whom they scarcely knew as yet. A race of slaves, they were unarmed and unaccustomed to war (PP 282). A spiritual, intellectual, and political transformation must take place before they were prepared to cooperate with God in the conquest of Canaan.

They return to Egypt. How very real the danger was that at the slightest defeat or discouragement the Israelites would turn back and submit themselves again to servitude, is shown by their attitude on later occasions (see Num. 14:4). Had they known what lay ahead they would never have been willing to leave Egypt. In all probability they expected to be in Canaan within a few weeks.