Comments on Joshua 23 This chapter and the next encompass Joshua's farewell address to Israel. The speech repeats several themes Israel is commonly confronted with: don't adopt local idolatrous practices (v. 6-8), don't intermarry with locals (v. 12-13), worship and fear only the Lord God (v. 9-11, 14-16). v10 Compare Lev. 26:7-8. Deut. 28:7. v14-16 compose a stern warning. Joshua presents the Lord as just as willing to keep His word in cursings as He is in blessings. Just as surely as the Lord has blessed Israel up to that point under Joshua, He will surely curse them if they fail to keep His words after Joshua is dead. Copyright © 2002 by S. Kurt Neumiller . All rights reserved. No part of this text may be reproduced in any form or by any means for commercial gain without the express written consent of the author. Digital or printed copies may be freely made and distributed for personal and public non-commercial use.