Judges 2:23
“So Yahweh left those nations, without driving them out hastily. He didn’t deliver them into Joshua’s hand.”
What does Judges 2:23 mean?
After Joshua's death, God allowed certain nations to remain in the land of Canaan rather than giving Israel complete, immediate victory. This wasn't punishment so much as a test and a teacher: these neighboring peoples would challenge Israel's faith and obedience in the generations to come. God knew that easy conquest without struggle might lead people to forget him, so he left obstacles that would keep them dependent on him and faithful to their covenant. It's a hard mercy, like a parent allowing a child to face difficulty so they'll grow stronger.