Judges is in some ways the flip side of the book of Joshua. Joshua provides the beginning of the process of entering and conquering the land. The book does hint at challenges—God’s people do not completely eradicate the Canaanites. But overall, the picture is positive. God has fulfilled his promise by giving his people the land. And the Israelites for the most part trust God. Joshua, as he nears death, calls them to continue doing this. They need to take the land, trusting God to keep his promises to drive out the current residents. As Joshua says to them: You will take possession of their land, as the Lord your God promised you. Be very strong; be careful to obey all that is written in the Book of the Law of Moses (Joshua 23:5–6). Covenant obedience entailed that Israel neither associate with other nations, invoke the names of their gods, nor intermarry with them (Joshua 23:7, Joshua 23:12).¹