Israel grumbles against God every step of the journey. Even so, when they grumble from thirst, God gives them water. When they demand food, he provides manna. When they complain about the manna, he sends them quail. Grace, grace, and grace.

Then they reject God’s guidance and refuse to enter the land of Canaan. Their deepest issue is their deep distrust and dislike of the Lord. Like everyone since Adam and Eve, their hearts are curved away from God. Therefore God makes that first generation wander for forty years until a new generation comes of age.

The book of Joshua tells the story of this second generation’s entry and conquest of the land of Canaan. We must keep three truths in mind when considering this conquest:

1. These are not human-initiated battles. Israel is only to carry out specific orders from the Lord.
2. God is judging these nations because of their history of oppression. His justice is being brought to bear against human injustice.
3. God is impartial—if any Canaanites repent and trust the Lord (as Rahab does), they are spared; if any Israelites rebel against God, they are judged just like the other nations are.