The conquest of Canaan is a pivotal event in the history of Israel as recorded in the Old Testament. The instructions for this conquest are primarily found in the books of Deuteronomy and Joshua, where God provides specific guidance to the Israelites on how to take possession of the Promised Land. These instructions are not merely military strategies but are deeply intertwined with spiritual and covenantal principles.

Divine Command and Promise

The conquest of Canaan is initiated by a divine command. In Deuteronomy 7:1-2 , God instructs the Israelites: "When the LORD your God brings you into the land you are entering to possess, and He drives out before you many nations... you must devote them to complete destruction." This command is rooted in the covenantal promise God made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give their descendants the land of Canaan (Genesis 12:7, 15:18-21).

Preparation and Obedience

Before entering Canaan, the Israelites are reminded of the importance of obedience to God's laws. In Deuteronomy 6:1-3 , Moses emphasizes the need to "keep all His statutes and commandments" so that they may "multiply greatly in a land flowing with milk and honey." The preparation involves both spiritual readiness and practical arrangements, such as the circumcision of the new generation (Joshua 5:2-9) and the observance of the Passover (Joshua 5:10-12).

Spiritual Warfare and Dependence on God

The conquest is characterized by a reliance on God's power rather than human strength. The fall of Jericho, as described in Joshua 6, exemplifies this principle. The Israelites are instructed to march around the city for seven days, and on the seventh day, the walls collapse after the priests blow the trumpets and the people shout. This miraculous victory underscores the necessity of faith and obedience to God's unconventional methods.

Destruction of Idolatry and Pagan Practices

A significant aspect of the conquest is the command to destroy all forms of idolatry and pagan worship. In Deuteronomy 7:5 , God instructs the Israelites to "tear down their altars, smash their sacred stones, cut down their Asherah poles, and burn their idols in the fire." This eradication of idolatry is crucial to maintaining the purity of worship and preventing the Israelites from being led astray by the abominable practices of the Canaanites.

Inheritance and Division of the Land

Once the land is conquered, it is to be divided among the tribes of Israel as an inheritance. Joshua 13-21 details the allocation of territories, emphasizing the fulfillment of God's promise. The Levites, however, receive no land inheritance, as their portion is the Lord Himself and the priestly service (Joshua 13:33).

Warnings Against Disobedience

Throughout the instructions, there are stern warnings against disobedience and the consequences of failing to fully drive out the Canaanites. In Numbers 33:55 , God warns, "But if you do not drive out the inhabitants of the land, those you allow to remain will become barbs in your eyes and thorns in your sides." The Israelites are cautioned that incomplete obedience will lead to future troubles and temptations.

Covenantal Faithfulness

The conquest of Canaan is ultimately about covenantal faithfulness. The Israelites are called to be a holy people, set apart for God. In Deuteronomy 7:6 , they are reminded, "For you are a people holy to the LORD your God. The LORD your God has chosen you to be a people for His prized possession, above all the peoples on the face of the earth." The conquest is not merely a territorial expansion but a divine mandate to establish a nation that reflects God's holiness and righteousness.