Joshua 19 finishes with a statement that the land has been divided. Everyone has been assigned their territories and portion, the twelve tribes know where they are to live and serve God.

With the land having been allocated, God’s people are now being prepared for life in the land. They receive final instructions from God through Joshua to remind them of what God expects from them.

In reality, this preparation started in Joshua 18–19 where the tent of meeting was moved from Gilgal to Shiloh. That move was meant to teach God’s people that they need to regularly meet with him if they are going to be equipped and encouraged to serve him in the land. Meeting with God and coming into his presence was the primary means by which God would work in his people to strengthen their faith.

In Joshua 20, Israel continues to be prepared for life in the land with the focus now moving on to God’s justice. If the Lord is to dwell amongst his people, then his justice must be seen in the land. The land must be a place where the guilty are punished and the innocent are protected. The land must be a place where God’s commandments are upheld. To this end the Lord reminds Joshua about the need for cities of refuge.