Why is Joshua a story in the Bible?

Answer 1

Scholars say that the early people of the southern kingdom of Judah had no understanding of Joshua. They say that he comes from the early oral traditions of Israel. At least part of the story of the conquest of Canaan must have come down to the Deuteronomist as an oral history. In order to encourage national unity, he needed to include as much as possible of the traditions of the refugees who had come down from the north after the Assyrian conquest of Israel. The story also explains, in epic style, the origins of Israel and would appeal to national pride. The people did not know their real origins and needed an answer.