Joshua 20:1-9 ; Joshua 21:1-3
On the other side of the Jordan, three cities of refuge in case of manslaughter had already been appointed by Moses (Deuteronomy 4:41-43). Three others are now selected in the country itself in the north, centre and south. Each one is situated on a mountain (v. 7), reminding us of that saying of the Lord Jesus: "A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid" (Matthew 5:14). Visible to all and the unfortunate manslayer especially who was running there for refuge, the city of refuge was a constant reminder of the grace of God. The first of these cities, Kedesh, was found in Galilee, a region dear to the believer’s heart. It was there that Jesus of Nazareth lived for thirty years, there where He served, healed, taught the disciples and the crowds. Shechem in Ephraim is often identified with that "city of Samaria, which is called Sychar, near to the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph " (and for that reason included in the inheritance of Ephraim son of Joseph: Joshua 24:32). Shechem also brings to mind the divine Traveller who, wearied with His journey, sat down one day beside its well (John 4:6). Finally Hebron, the fortress of conquered death, becomes a place of shelter and a lofty retreat.
Chapter 21 is devoted to the inheritance of the Levites. Forty-eight towns are granted to them, allocated from the inheritance of the other tribes.