God did not lead them along the main road that runs through Philistine territory, even though that was the shortest route to the Promised Land. . . So God led them in a roundabout way through the wilderness toward the Red Sea.
Exodus 13:17-18 NLT
As far as I can tell, God continues to use that approach!
Thankfully, He knows what He is doing and where we are going.
Dr. Paul McGuinness 