The books of Judges and Joshua offer contrasting information on the events that led to the conquest of Canaan. While the Book of Judges creates a picture of gradual processes, the Book of Joshua creates a picture of a quick and successful conquest. The contradiction in these two Books intrigues the mind of many scholars on the need to determine the intent of the writers. In Joshua 1-11, there is only a representation of minimal attacks in the Southern part of Israel. However, the attacks corresponded with the end of the conquests of all tribes.  On the other hand, scholars view the Book of Judges as being an attempt to complete the conquests that were started by Joshua.

While the Book of Joshua focuses on the portrayal; of Joshua as an active militaryleader and hero, the Book of Judges focus on the struggle that had lastedfor over two centuries. Deuteronomistic History serves as a modern theoretical construct that infers that the books of Joshua, Kings, Deuteronomy,Samuel, and Judges are based on a single literal work. Martin Noth is one of the scholars who is convinced of the link between these books and argues that there is a commonality in the style, language, and content of these works. The view of view of many scholars is that the works were writtenby singleDeuteronomistic during the exilic period.

The works are mainly a reflection of the lives, social and religious structures after the Babylonian conquests that saw the loss of many KingdomsinJerusalem. While questions on ways that the Hebrew Bible was written are a distinction from these events, they are also connected to the Deuteronomistic History. The idea of the Deuteronomist Theology is widely applied in academic discussion to understand both religious texts and modern politics. The theory is based on principles such as the need for Israel to be united, recognition of God as sovereign, worshiping God, upholding Jesaremm as the center of Worship and the view of Israelites as being God’s chosen people.

The principles can be broken down to mean that God is closer to persons who obey and punishes those who contradict the Biblical teachings. It creates the assumption that suffering is a result of disobeying the laws and rules that are outlined in the scripture. In all the Deuteronomic writings, there is the development of both centralized monarchy and aristocracy. These forms of government were based on the need toensure that all people were working and remained productive thus fostering the prosperity of the communities.  The Book of Joshua begins by referring to the death of Moses and the choosing of Joshua as Moses’s successor.

Joshua later sends two spies to provide and offers intelligence on ways to attack the city. After crossing Rover Jordan, all Israelitesproceeded to Gilgaland were initiated according to the biblical teachings. The book of Joshua offers a highlight of episodes of attacksand violence in other communities. The book illustrates that the Israelites were control of the Palestinian territory only after a few campaigns of the war. Reading the Book of Joshua indicates that all the Israelitestribes were united under the leadership of Joshua and thus could have contributed to their success. In the first campaign against Ai and Jericho, Joshuainstructed two spies to discover the weakness of the city.

They later found Rehab, a prostitute who kept them from the King of the city-state.  After thissuccessfulcampaign on the five cities and Hazor, the land was divided among the Israelitestribes. However, these episodes of conflicts create the question of whether God would have allowed a high level of violence. Answering this question calls for a reflection on the Deuteronomy principles which indicates that the DeuteronomyIsraelites are the choices people of God. The standpoint also infers that God had promised the land of Canaan to the Israelites.

Likewise, the principle of obedience creates the impression that God was only rewarding the Israelitesfrom sticking to his teachings and laws. However, this is not the case with the Palestinian as they had many cast gods. The attacks on the Palestinianand the violence that followed may thus be viewed under a Deuteronomy lens as being a punishment for the failure to abide by God’s teachings. In the campaign againstHazor, the burning down of the city signaled the collapse of the Kingdoms in Canaan and thus the creation of a new Kingdom that was based on Biblicalteachings.

In Joshua 1: 6-8, God instructs Joshua to be strong as he would lead them to inherit the land that God had promised to their fathers. The quote “Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them” indicates that the violence on Palestine was necessary as a way of ensuring that God upheld the promise he had made to the earlier generations. The success of the Israelites and Joshua as their leader is described as having been tied to the Torah and the excellent relationship with God. The works between Mosses and God were embodied in the Torah and served as a guide to the Israelites.

The Book of Joshua is thus a description of what can happen if all people held to the religious teachings in the scripture. Joshua is depicted as a leader who was committed to ensuring that all the Biblical teachings were upheld. However, this is not wholly the case in the Book of Judges as it focuses on the deviation from the Biblical teachings after the death of Joshua.  The forgetting of God’s way saw the lengthening of the period that it took to concur the land. The description creates the view that While God was ready to bless Israelites and would equally to punish wrongdoers. When the people were faithful to God and upheld the Torah, the conquests were easy and quick.

The non-adherence to the Biblical teachings prompted a renewal of the covenant that God had with the Israelites. The renewal of the covenant was overseen by Joshua who gathered all tribes at Scheme. Joshua instructed the Israelites to obey,fear God and also turn away from worshiping idol gods. The portrayal of the conquest of Canaan conforms to the Deuteronomy view that the Israelites are a chosen race. It further concerns the view that God would bless and protect Israelites if they followed  the Biblical teachings. The defeat of the Palestinian tribe through the leadership of Joshua is an indication that God chose Israelites.

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