Moses’ prophecy about falling away from God also came true. But it did not have to be that way. The Israelites who came out of the wilderness and entered Canaan had learned the lesson of obedience. Before Moses died, God had Moses commission the next leader, Joshua. The people assured Joshua of their loyalty.
They answered Joshua, “All that you have commanded us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go. Just as we obeyed Moses in all things, so we will obey you. Only may the LORD your God be with you, as he was with Moses! Whoever rebels against your commandment and disobeys your words, whatever you command him, shall be put to death. Only be strong and courageous.” (Joshua 1:16-18)
In order to conquer Canaan, the Israelites took on great challenges. They followed God’s way, even when His instructions made no human sense. For example, the first Canaanite city the Israelites attacked was Jericho, protected by a strong wall (Joshua 6). God’s method involved marching around the city and finally making loud noises—and the wall fell! The reality was that God defeated Jericho, but He chose to do so by having His people obey in faith (Hebrews 11:30). They learned that God’s way—especially as stated in the law of Moses—always succeeded.
Be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go. (Joshua 1:7)
Israel served the LORD all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders who outlived Joshua and had known all the work that the LORD did for Israel. (Joshua 24:31 cf. Judges 2:7)