Joshua 21:43 and other biblical verses are thought to be blatant contradictions among mainstream scholars and atheists. Yet, there is no contradiction, but rather a difference in perspective between God's provision and the Israelites' full realization of it, which depended on their continued obedience and action. This theme follows the tribes all the way to the time of Jesus Christ.
Joshua 21:43-45 is primarily a declaration of God's perfect faithfulness in fulfilling every one of His promises to the house of Israel. He had delivered the land into their hands and given them rest from their major enemies, as He had sworn. The military power of the Canaanites was broken, and no one could stand against Israel at that time.
The scripture affirms that God had given the land as an inheritance and that Israel took possession of it. In this sense, the land was legally theirs by divine decree. The grant of the land was a standing authorization to occupy the entire promised territory. The immediate occupation and enjoyment of the land's blessings, however, was conditional on their ongoing obedience to the Mosaic covenant.
In the first chapter in the book of Judges the entire chapter details how various tribes failed to drive out the Canaanites in their allotted territories (e.g., Judah could not drive out the Jebusites, Manasseh could not take certain cities). These remaining inhabitants often became a snare or a thorn in their sides later on due to Israel's failure to fully obey God's command to dispossess them. Keep in mind, it was Judeans, and the Manasites who slacked in their occupation of the lands, not God. Jesus is the author and finisher of our faith, yet we need to yield to allow God’s love to bring us to maturity.
Keep in mind
Exodus 23:29-30 describes God's promise to the Israelites that He would drive out the inhabitants of the Promised Land gradually, not all at once in a single year, to prevent the land from becoming desolate and overrun by wild beasts. Here we see God had already indicated that the process would be "little by little" to prevent the land from becoming desolate, “requiring continuous effort” and “total obedience” on Israel's part.
We have no contradiction, but rather a reflection of the tension between divine promise and human responsibility.
With God's point of view, the entire promised land had been delivered to Israel in principle and power; His promises had "all come to pass" because the opportunity for full possession was available.
The Bible writer’s viewpoint emphasizes a distinction between the legal possession granted by God and the practical, “conditional” realization of that inheritance, which ultimately depended on the Israelites' actions and obedience.
James sums it up, you say you have faith? “I’ll show you my faith by my actions!”
James 2:14-26
True, and living overcoming strong faith isn't just about believing something intellectually; it's demonstrated through tangible good behavior, compassion, and obedience, proving it's genuine and not just dead or ecclesiastically religious. James challenges the early Apostolic church to "show me your faith without your actions, and I will show you my faith by my actions," emphasizing that actions are the evidence of authentic trusting belief, like Abraham offering Isaac.
The Bible proves that Israel had been going through the motions since day 1. They wanted to replace Moses with a golden calf to lead them back to ecclesiastical slavery. Instead of trusting God who will sustain them through a burning oven heated seven times hotter. Joshua and Caleb never faltered at God’s say so, they trusted the promises and were willing to act on those promises. Therefore Joshua made the true statements that which remind us that God is True, but every man a liar. God promise us but we are the ones who won’t allow “our” story to be written!
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