The Israelite Conquest refers to the series of military campaigns and divine interventions through which the Israelites, under the leadership of Joshua, took possession of the land of Canaan as promised by God to their forefathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. This period is primarily documented in the Book of Joshua, with additional references in the Pentateuch and other historical books of the Old Testament.

Divine Mandate and Preparation

The conquest of Canaan was initiated by a divine mandate. God had promised the land to the descendants of Abraham (Genesis 12:7), and this promise was reiterated to Moses and Joshua. In Joshua 1:2-3 , God commands Joshua, "Moses My servant is dead. Now therefore arise, cross over the Jordan—you and all this people—into the land that I am giving to the children of Israel. I have given you every place where the sole of your foot will tread, just as I promised to Moses."

Before the conquest, the Israelites were prepared spiritually and militarily. The crossing of the Jordan River, as described in Joshua 3, was a miraculous event that reaffirmed God's presence with Israel. The Ark of the Covenant, carried by the priests, led the way, and the waters of the Jordan were stopped, allowing the people to cross on dry ground.

Key Campaigns and Battles

1. Jericho: The first major victory was the fall of Jericho, a fortified city. The Israelites, following God's specific instructions, marched around the city for seven days. On the seventh day, after the priests blew the trumpets, the walls of Jericho collapsed (Joshua 6:20: "So when the rams’ horns sounded, the people shouted, and when they heard the blast of the horn, the people gave a great shout, and the wall collapsed. Then all the people charged straight into the city and captured it.").

2. Ai: The initial attempt to capture Ai failed due to Achan's sin, which violated the ban on taking spoils from Jericho. After dealing with the sin in the camp, Joshua led a successful ambush against Ai (Joshua 8).

3. Southern and Northern Campaigns: The conquest continued with a series of campaigns in the southern and northern regions of Canaan. The southern campaign included the miraculous event where the sun stood still at Gibeon (Joshua 10:13: "So the sun stood still and the moon stopped until the nation took vengeance upon its enemies."). The northern campaign involved the defeat of a coalition of kings led by Jabin of Hazor (Joshua 11).

Divine Assistance and Covenant Faithfulness

Throughout the conquest, the Israelites experienced divine assistance, which was crucial for their victories. The miraculous events, such as the fall of Jericho and the extended daylight at Gibeon, underscored God's active role in fulfilling His promises. The Israelites were reminded repeatedly of the importance of covenant faithfulness, as seen in the consequences of Achan's sin and the renewal of the covenant at Mount Ebal (Joshua 8:30-35).

Distribution of the Land

After the major military campaigns, the land was distributed among the twelve tribes of Israel. This distribution was conducted by casting lots, as described in Joshua 14-19, ensuring that each tribe received its inheritance according to God's instructions. The Levites, however, were given cities and pasturelands instead of a contiguous territory, as their inheritance was the Lord Himself (Joshua 13:33).

Challenges and Incomplete Conquest

Despite the significant victories, the conquest was not entirely complete. Some Canaanite groups remained in the land, leading to future conflicts and challenges for the Israelites. The failure to fully drive out the inhabitants was a recurring issue that would later lead to periods of idolatry and oppression, as recorded in the Book of Judges.

The Israelite Conquest remains a pivotal event in biblical history, demonstrating God's faithfulness to His promises and the importance of obedience and faith in His divine plan.