שמות, פרק כ״ג, פסוק כ״ט

The conquest of the land is designed as a gradual and carefully calculated process rather than an overnight victory. The expulsion of the local nations will be paced to match the natural population growth of the Israelites. This slow evacuation will be carried out partly by hornets, which will first target the leaders and the powerful figures of the land. This method stands in sharp contrast to a swift, lethal strike like a plague, which would wipe out the population all at once [העמק דבר, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. The expulsion is aimed collectively at the Canaanites and all other nations currently living in the land [קאסוטו, מלבי״ם].

The primary reason for this deliberate delay is the practical concern that the land might become completely empty of people. The land of Israel is vast, and the Israelites leaving Egypt are simply too few in number to populate it quickly. They need time to multiply until they can properly settle and maintain the entire territory [רש״י, אבן עזרא, מלבי״ם, ביאור יש״ר, קאסוטו]. A sudden emptying of the land would create a vacuum, allowing wild animals to multiply quickly and take over the abandoned areas [רש״י, ביאור יש״ר, קאסוטו].

The danger of wild animals raises a theological question. If the Israelites are following the will of God, they should naturally be protected from such threats. One approach suggests that God already knows the Israelites will eventually sin, which will cause His divine protection to be removed and leave them vulnerable to wild beasts [קיצור בעל הטורים, שפתי חכמים]. Another perspective counters that the gradual conquest is based on entirely natural laws. An empty land naturally attracts wild animals, and God does not alter the laws of nature or perform unnecessary miracles unless it is strictly required to prove the authenticity of a prophet [אבן עזרא, שפתי חכמים].