Was Israel in Canaan a failure?

Answer 1

Scholars say that there was no military conquest of Canaan, as described in The Bible. The close similarity of language, religion and culture means that the Hebrew people were Canaanites, whether dissidents or not. So, the presence of Israel in Canaan was neither failure nor fulfilment. However, the story of the Israelite conquest of Canaan is one of the most successful ever. Not only have billions of people literally believed the story, it underpinned the development of Judaism, and eventually Christianity and Islam.

Answer:

It may surprise most readers to hear the tradition, that the Israelites became a glorious realization of God's plan, and they continue to do so. This is why the same prophets who castigate the Israelites, also promise them God's redemption and continued covenant.
The prophecies that lambaste the Israelites, are because we aren't perfect, and God expects more of us. The very purpose of the prophets was to ceaselessly push us to improve. One example of this is when the entire nation was blamed and suffered for the sin of a single person (Joshua ch.7) or of a handful. Throughout the period of the Judges and the Kingdom (of Judah), tradition states that the sinners were a minority and were much better than our later generations (Talmud, Yoma 9b).
Any notion of the Israelites being a failure is based on a shallow perusal of the Tanakh without commentary or tradition.

Answer 2

No. It may surprise most readers to hear the tradition, that the Israelites became a glorious realization of God's plan, and they continue to do so. This is why the same prophets who castigate the Israelites, also promise them God's redemption and continued covenant.

The prophecies that lambaste the Israelites, are because we aren't perfect, and God expects more of us. The very purpose of the prophets was to ceaselessly push us to improve. One example of this is when the entire nation was blamed and suffered for the sin of a single person (Joshua ch.7) or of a handful. Throughout the period of the Judges and the Kingdom (of Judah), tradition states that the sinners were a minority and were much better than our later generations (Talmud, Yoma 9b).

Any notion of the Israelites being a failure is based on a shallow perusal of the Tanakh without commentary or tradition.