Can’t or Won’t?
“Now when Pharaoh had let the people go, God did not lead them by the way of the land of the Philistines, even though it was near; for God said, “The people might change their minds when they see war and return to Egypt.” (Ex 13:17)

Just like God knew the hardness of Pharaoh’s heart, He knew the weakness of the Israelites. He knew what they could handle and what they could not.
400 years and countless generations of slaves were not yet ready to face the difficulties of war and He wasn’t going to put them through something they couldn’t handle. This is the same God who later destroyed this generation in the wilderness because they wouldn’t fight.

There is a difference between “not able to” and “don’t want to”

In the beginning, God showed patience because they were not yet able to handle the rigors of war. Later on, He condemned them for shrinking from their duty to do what was hard.
So, take comfort as babes in Christ – He does not expect anymore than what you can do. Just do what you can and that is enough (Mk 14:8)

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for
doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness”
(2Timothy 3:16)