We have already learnt many times over in these stories that God sometimes uses man to carry out His plans, but is never dependent upon any one man. When Mo'ses died, Josh'u-a was already prepared to take his place, and to carry forward the conquest of Ca'naan by the Is'ra-el-ites.
And so, after the death of Mo'ses, the Is'ra-el-ites were still encamped on the east side of the Jor'dan, the LORD appeared to Josh'u-a with a stirring message. He was commanded to lead the children of Is'ra-el across the Jor'dan at once, and to conquer the land which had been promised to their fathers.
The LORD then outlined to Josh'u-a the extent of the land which had been set aside for Is'ra-el. From north to south, it was to begin in the regions of the great river Eu-phra'tes, reaching down to the borders of the land of E'dom and Mo'ab, looking toward E'gypt. From east to west, it was to extend from the great Syr'i-an desert to the shores of the Med'i-ter-ra'ne-an Sea. all this territory, with its many types of soil and vegetation, its beautiful mountains and fertile plains and valleys, its rivers and lakes, its wide forests and unlimited natural resources, was to be conquered as the permanent home for a great nation.
The entire area, except that part east of the Jor'dan which had already been taken from the Am'o-rites, Am'mon-ites, and Mid'i-an-ites, was then held by various heathen tribes. It was not held by one united people, nor ruled by one king; there were many small nations occupying different sections of the country, each of them ruled by its own king. In most cases, the capital of these small tribes would be in a fortified town or city, with the surrounding territory used for farming or stock-raising. These tribal nations were often engaged in wars among themselves. The task of conquering the land was therefore much easier, since there was no probability of united opposition from the various tribes which hated one another.
The LORD not only commanded Josh'u-a to conquer the entire land of Ca'naan, but assured him of His presence. He urged him to be strong and of good courage, and to have confidence of victory and success. The laws given by Mo'ses were to be read constantly, and to be carefully obeyed by Josh'u-a and the people. The duties of religion must never be neglected. The LORD cautioned Josh'u-a that he and all Is'ra-el must maintain loyal to God and to His teachings, and that true religion must always hold a central place in the national life of the country.
The war which Josh'u-a was commanded to wage against the heathen tribes of Ca'naan was to be one of extermination. These people who had defied God, worshiped false gods and idols, who were given over to the lowest forms of wickedness, and for whom there was no hope of civilization or moral reform, were to be completely destroyed. Such was the will of God, and such were the orders given to Josh'u-a and to all Is'ra-el. Any failure to carry out these instructions would result in punishment from God and great trouble for Is'ra-el.
