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THEME - The Red Heifer
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It
is our desire to make these devotionals readily available to anyone
who can use them. We pray that as you daily read and meditate on
God's Word, you will be able to use these to help you spiritually
grow in your daily walk with the Lord
LBC devotionals
are written by the following men:
- DW - Senior Pastor, Dan Wilkenson
- RJS - Retired Pastor, Dr. Bob Shifflett
May God richly bless you this day!
Sunday, January 1st
Ashes for Beauty
Numbers 19
For those who are not familiar with the Red Heifer, we are spending this month with this subject and trusting to bring out some great truths regarding this Jewish cleansing that was instituted by Moses during the forty year wanderings in the Wilderness.
Several years ago, there was a
great stir among the Orthodox Jews that they had located a red heifer
that could be used for the cleansing of the future Temple to be built
in Jerusalem. Worldwide press coverage greeted the arrival of a red
calf in
The ritual of purification using
the ashes of the Red Heifer is one of the least understood of Hashem's
commandments. Though these ashes were necessary to cleanse anyone entering
the
The Hebrew text reveals why the
practice is so shrouded in mystery. More than a commandment, this is
an ordinance that is to be followed without question or understanding.
To be continued tomorrow. RJS
Ashes for Beauty
Number 19
The
Jewish Sages offer a hint to this puzzle by linking the Red Heifer with
the sin of the Golden Calf. The idol was burned and pulverized. This
powder was poured into water and the Israelites were forced to drink
it. Also of note are the continual references to burning the red cow,
since the Golden Calf was not sacrificed, but burned. It is the powdered
form of the Red Heifer, the ashes, that is mixed with water to purify
the children of
There may be another intriguing clue in the apocryphal Book of Enoch. In chapter 84, section 17, he tells his son Methuselah of a dream. Its prophetic imagery portrays the key figures of biblical history as animals: "I saw a vision in my bed; and behold, a cow sprung forth from the earth; and this cow was white. Afterwards a female heifer sprung forth; and with it another heifer: one of them was black, and one was red. The black heifer then struck the red one, and pursued it over the earth. From that period, I could see nothing more of the red heifer." In Enoch's dream the black cow symbolizes Cain and the red cow represents Abel. After the elder slays the younger, we read in Genesis how the blood of Abel cried out from the ground. Cain had also buried the body of his brother.
Not only does the Torah detail the first homicide in history, but it also records the first ritual defilement. And that's the initial purpose of the purification process: to cleanse one after coming in contact with the dead. Could this first murder of an innocent be the origin of a perplexing but sacred right?
We are introduced to the ordinance of the Red Heifer halfway through the Book of Numbers, in chapter 19. According to Jewish tradition it was actually instituted on the second day of the first month (now called Nissan), in the second year of the Exodus (2449 from Adam). The previous day the first services of the newly completed Tabernacle. The following day, Moses was instructed to have a perfect red cow led outside the camp by Eleazar. To be continued. RJS
Ashes for Beauty - the Red Heifer
Numbers 19
There it was to be slaughtered. The animal was then burned with a mixture of cedar, hyssop and scarlet coloring. A minute amount of the finely sifted ash was thrown into water. It could be a vessel or even a large body of water. Purification occurred only if the surface of the
water was disturbed upon contact with the ashes.
In the Mishnah, we learn that there have been a total of nine perfectly red cows burned. The first was under the supervision of Moses. The second was prepared by Ezra; two by Shimon Ha Tzaddik; Yochanan, the High Priest also sacrificed two; Eliehoenai, the son of Ha-Kof was the seventh. Hanamel, the Egyptian burned the eighth. The ninth Red Cow was sacrificed by Ishmael, son of Piabi. The tenth Red Heifer will
be burned in the time of Mashiach (Messiah).
In that same tract, Mishnah 5, we discover a vital condition of any purification
preparations in the future. The ashes of any subsequent Red Heifer must
be mingled with those of the previous nine. In the days of the First
and
Vendyl Jones has struggled in the heat of the desert to uncover the K'lal,
according to the Copper Scroll, this vessel holds the precious ashes
from Moses� Red Cow. Professor Jones believes that it is vital for
the restoration of the
The Red Heifer
Excerpted from Matthew Henry�s
Commentary on Numbers 19
Christ died, not only like the bulls and goats at the altar, but like the heifer without the camp. There was a great deal of care employed in the choice of the heifer that was to be burnt, much more than in the choice of any other offering.
It
must not only be without blemish, typifying the spotless purity and
sinless perfection of the Lord Jesus. It must be a red heifer, because
of the rarity of the color, that it might be the more remarkable: the
Jews say, "If but two hairs were black or white, it was unlawful.�� Christ, as man, was the Son of Adam, (Adam means red),
and we find Christ red in his apparel, red with his own blood, and red
with the blood of his enemies. And it must be one on which never came
yoke, which was not insisted on in other sacrifices. This heifer was
to be provided at the expense of the congregation, because they were
all to have a joint interest in it; and so all believers have in Christ
(A type of the church).
The chief priests of that time had the principal hand in the death of
Christ. The heifer was to be slain without the camp, as an impure thing,
which bespeaks the insufficiency of the methods prescribed by the ceremonial
law to take away sin. To answer this type, our Lord Jesus, being made
sin and a curse for us, suffered without the gate, Heb. 13:12.
Eleazar was to sprinkle the blood directly before the door of the tabernacle, and looking steadfastly towards it, v. 4. This made it in some sort an expiation; for the sprinkling of the blood before the Lord was the chief solemnity in all the sacrifices of atonement. This signified the satisfaction that was made to God by the death of Christ, our great high priest, who by the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot unto God; directly before the sanctuary, when he said, Father, into thy hands I commit my spirit. It also signifies how necessary it was to the purifying of our hearts that satisfaction should be made to divine justice. This sprinkling of the blood put virtue into the ashes. [We believe that the above and following regarding the Red Heifer is a type of cleansing as seen in the total sacrifice of Christ for His church]. RJS
The Red Heifer, Continued from Matt. Henry
The
heifer was to be wholly burnt, v. 5. This typified the extreme sufferings
of our Lord Jesus, both in soul and body, as a sacrifice made by fire.
The priest was to cast it into the fire, while it was burning, cedar
wood, hyssop, and scarlet, which were used in the cleansing of lepers
(Lev. 14:6, 7), that the ashes of these might be mingled with the ashes
of the heifer, because they were designed for purification. [One of
the great miracles of Christ, was the cleansing of the Leper in that
Jesus reached out and touched this leprous man and was not contaminated
by the leprosy, rather the leper was cleansed from his deadly disease].
The ashes of the heifer (separated as well as they could from the ashes
of the wood wherewith it was burnt) were to be carefully gathered up
by the hand of a clean person. The Jews say that this one served till
the captivity, nearly 1000 years, and that there was never another heifer
burnt till Ezra�s time. These
ashes are said to be laid up as a purification for sin, because though
they were intended to purify only from ceremonial uncleanness, yet they
were a type of that purification for sin which our Lord Jesus made by
his death. Now observe (1.) That the water of purification was made
so by the ashes of a heifer, whose blood was sprinkled before the sanctuary;
so that which cleanses our consciences is the abiding virtue of the
death of Christ; it is His blood that cleanses from all sin, 1 Jn. 1:7.
(2.) These ashes were sufficient for all; there needed not to be a fresh
heifer slain for every person or family this one was enough for all,
even for the strangers that sojourned among them (v. 10); so there is
virtue enough in the blood of Christ for all that repent and believe
the Gospel, for every Israelite, and not for their sins only, but for
the sins of the whole world, 1 Jn. 2:2. (3.) That these ashes were capable
of being preserved without waste for many ages. No bodily substance
is so incorruptible as ashes are, they a very fit emblem of the everlasting
sacrifice of Christ. He is able to cleanse, to the uttermost, both of
person and times. (4.) These ashes were laid up as a treasure, for the
constant purification of
believer. Matthew Henry
The Red Heifer - Continued from Matt. Henry
All
those who were employed in the preparing of the ashes were made ceremonially
unclean by even Eleazar himself, though he did but sprinkle the blood,
v. 7. He that burned the heifer was unclean (v. 8), and he that gathered
up the ashes (v. 10). So all that had a hand in putting Christ to death
contracted guilt by it: his betrayer, his prosecutors, his judge, his
executioner, all did what they did with wicked hands, though it was
by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God (Acts
Directions
are here given concerning the use and application of the ashes which
were prepared for purification. They were laid up and in one place to
keep them in all
The taking care of the dead, to see them decently buried, is not only necessary, but a very good office, and an act of kindness, both to the honor of the dead and the comfort of the living, and yet uncleanness was contracted by it, which intimates that the pollutions of sin mix with and cleave to our best services. There is not a just man upon earth that doeth good and sinneth not. This pollution was contracted by what was done privately in their own houses, which that God sees what is done in secret, and nothing is concealed from divine Majesty. But why did the law make a dead such a defiling thing? (1.) Because death is the wages of sin, entered into the world by it, and reigns by the power of it. RJS
The Red Heifer, Continued from Matthew Henry
Death to mankind is another thing from what it is to other creatures: it is a curse, it is the execution of the law, and therefore the defilement of death signifies the defilement of sin. Because the law could not conquer death, nor abolish it and alter the property of it, as the Gospel does by bringing life and immortality to light, and so introducing a better hope. Since our Redeemer was dead and buried, death is no more destroying to the Israel of God, and therefore dead bodies are no more defiling. Christ triumphed over death. O grave, where is thy victory? Where is thy pollution?
As
the ashes of the heifer signified the merit of Christ, so the running
water signified the power and grace of the blessed Spirit, who is compared
to rivers of living water; and it is by his operation that the righteousness
of Christ is applied to us for our cleansing. Hence, we are said to
be washed, that is, sanctified and justified, not only in the name of
the Lord Jesus, but by the Spirit of our God, 1 Cor. 6:11; 1 Pt. 1:2.
David prays, purge me with hyssop. Faith is the bunch of hyssop wherewith
the conscience is sprinkled and the heart purified. In allusion to the
application of water of separation by sprinkling, the blood of Christ
is said to be the blood of sprinkling (Heb.
Even he that sprinkled the water of separation, or touched it, or touched the unclean person, must be unclean till the evening, that is, must not come near the sanctuary on that day, v. 21, 22. Thus, God would show them their imperfection, and their insufficiency to purify the conscience, that they might look for the Messiah, who in the fullness of time should by the eternal Spirit offer himself without spot unto God, and so purge our consciences from dead works (that is, from sin, which defiles like a dead body, and is therefore called a body of death), that we may have liberty of access to the sanctuary, to serve the living God with living sacrifices. RJS
Eleazar an Alternate High Priest
Numbers 16 and 19
The 16th Chapter deals with the sins of Korah and his followers. It also introduces to us an alternate High Priest for the cleansing of the people. This man was a son of Aaron, the High Priest, but in this chapter and the 19th Chapter Eleazar was used of the Lord and Moses to officiate in a cleansing of the people lest they die of a plague after the untimely deaths of the rebels as recorded in Chapter 16. It would be worth your time to read this 16th chapter and the 19th have a better understanding of this man and how God used him. [We must refer back to the event when two of Aaron's sons, Nadab and Abihu, brought strange fire before the Lord and were devoured by fire from the Lord, Lev. 10:1-2. This left two sons, Eleazar and Ithamar to assist in serving the Lord with Aaron. Eleazar was the third son and in line for the High Priest and at the death of Aaron, Eleazar became the High Priest]. The High Priest could not contaminate himself with a dead body or anything that would cause him to become unclean. This was why Eleazar was chosen, while Aaron was the High Priest, to prepare the Red Heifer for the cleansing of all that were contaminated by a dead body, or a grave, or bones of the dead.
In the New Covenant our Lord Jesus was the Prophet, Priest and King
and His Priesthood was after the order of Melchisedec For
this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met
Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him;
To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation
King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is,
King of peace; Without father, without mother, without descent, having
neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son
of God; abideth a priest continually, Hebrews 7:1-3. Melchisedec
was a type of Christ as the King of Salem (
The Burning of the Red Heifer was Outside the Camp
Numbers 19:3-ff.
The killing and burning of the Red Heifer prefigures the death of
Christ in so many ways and we will try to cover some of them today.
1. Outside the camp and Christ was crucified outside the city walls,
or the camp. 2. All the other sacrifices were preformed in the Tabernacle
or
Cedar Wood, Hyssop, and Scarlet
Numbers 19:6 and Leviticus 14:4-7
Cedar is listed in the above Scriptures. The Levitical reference has to do with the cleansing of the leper. Leviticus 14:4-7 4Then shall the priest command to take for him that is to be cleansed two birds alive and clean, and cedar wood, and scarlet, and hyssop: 5And the priest shall command that one of the birds be killed in an earthen vessel over running water: 6As for the living bird, he shall take it, and the cedar wood, and the scarlet, and the hyssop, and shall dip them and the living bird in the blood of the bird that was killed over the running water: 7And he shall sprinkle upon him that is to be cleansed from the leprosy seven times, and shall pronounce him clean, and shall let the living bird loose into the open field. Leprosy was cleansed by the using the same three ingredients; cedar wood, hyssop, scarlet and blood removed the curse of leprosy and restored the leper clean and he was able to enter into the camp and return to his family.
Hyssop as we know it today is not found in the
Scarlet (a crimson grub) this worm was used for making the red color to dye clothes. The word "worm" is found in Job 25:6 where man is called a worm and is contrasted with the son of man, none other than Christ, Psalms 22:6-18. Truly Christ is seen in the sacrifice of the Red Heifer. rjs
The Burning of the Red Heifer and
The Sufferings of Christ and the Church
Numbers 19
Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not
greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also
persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours
also, John 15:20. The persecution of the Church began almost
as soon as the church was born. The first opposition is recorded in
Acts 5 and in Acts 8; Stephen suffered death as Saul, the future Apostle
Paul, stood by and watched the stoning of Stephen. Just like the Priest
Eleazer stood by and watched the killing of the Red Heifer. Both mankind
and Satan have persecuted the church from the beginning. Satan detests
the true and faithful believers in the church with an unquenchable passion.
Some of my ancestors escaped
knees these days for Christian statesmen and leaders that may be able
to turn the tide of opposition towards Christian values and our children
in the schools. RJS
Free from the Yoke of the Law
Numbers 19:2 and Compare Deuteronomy 21:1-9
2This is the ordinance of the law which the LORD hath
commanded, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel, that they bring
thee a red heifer without spot, wherein is no blemish, and upon which
never came yoke. In Deuteronomy 21 we have an interesting parallel to
Numbers 19 regarding a red heifer. The requirements as regards place
and victim are symbolic. 1 If one be found slain in the land which the
LORD thy God giveth thee to possess it, lying in the field, and it be
not known who hath slain him. 2Then thy elders and thy judges shall
come forth, and they shall measure unto the cities which are round about
him that is slain. 3And it shall be, that the city which is next unto
the slain man, even the elders of that city shall take an heifer, which
hath not been wrought with, and which hath not drawn in the yoke...6And
all the elders of that city, that are next unto the slain man, shall
wash their hands over the heifer that is beheaded in the valley: 7And
they shall answer and say, Our hands have not shed this blood, neither
have our eyes seen it. Be merciful, O LORD, unto thy people
'Washing the hands, is reference to such
a subject as this, was a rite used to signify that the persons thus
washing were innocent of the crime in question. It was probably from
the Jews that Pilate learned this symbolical method of expressing his
innocence before he condemned Christ."
God's Mercy is Taught in the
Mixture of Ashes and Water
Numbers 19et al.
Mercy is a word that
the world does not understand. It is used sometimes to name a hospital
i.e. "
1. In Ephesians 2:4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love
wherewith he loved us.
2. hi Titus 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but
according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration,
and renewing of the Holy Ghost.
3. Luke 1:72-73 tells us that God remembers His covenant with the Jews,
To perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember his holy
covenant; The oath which he sware to our father Abraham.
4. To all mankind in Luke
5. Romans 15:9, And that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy;
as it is written, For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles,
and sing unto thy name.
6. Hebrews 4:16, Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace
that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
7. Galatians
Our Lord Touched the Dead and the Leper
and was not Contaminated
Luke
...Jesus
went into a city called Nain; and many of his disciples went with him,
and much people. Now when he came nigh to the gate of the city, behold,
there was a dead man carried out, the only son of his mother, and she
was a widow: and much people of the city was with her. And when the
Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not.
14And he came and touched the bier: and they that bare him
stood still. And he said, Young man, I say unto thee, Arise. And he
that was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he delivered him to his
mother. And there came a fear on all: and they glorified God, Luke 7:11-16
The ashes of the Red Heifer were
not needed to cleanse the Lord for He was clean. However, those who
bore the body to the grave and performed the ritual of burial were contaminated
and they needed the cleansing of the ashes of the Red Heifer and water
which was applied for their cleansing. They were still under the law.
The law was not fulfilled until Christ said, "It is finished."
as he died on the cross. When he was come down from the mountain, great multitudes
followed him. 2And, behold, there came a leper and worshipped
him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. 3And
Jesus put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will; be thou clean.
And immediately his leprosy was cleansed, Matt.
Sin Offering Compared with the Red Heifer Offering
Exodus 30:10 and Lev. 4:1-16
The sin offering differs from the trespass offering in that the trespass offering was an offering for one special offence or a transgression committed through ignorance. The sin offering symbolized a general redemption. The sin offering is the most important of all the sacrifices under the old covenant. The sin offering begins with the case of the high priest, provided he should sin through ignorance; for the law made men priests who had infirmities. His ignorance was before others the least excusable, yet he was to bring his offering. If he sinned according to the sin of the people, which supposes him in this matter to stand upon the level with other Israelites, and to have no benefit of his office. He must bring a bullock without blemish for a sin offering as valuable an offering as that for the whole congregation. This intimated the greatness of the guilt connected with the sin of a high priest. The hand of the high priest must be laid upon the head of the bullock with a penitent confession of the sin he has committed. No remission without confession; he that laid his hand on the head of the beast thereby owned that he deserved to die himself and that it was God's great mercy that he would be pleased to accept the offering of this animal to die for him. The Jewish writers themselves say that neither the sin offering nor the trespass offering made atonement, except for repentance and believing in their forgiveness. The bullock must be killed and a great deal of solemnity there must be in disposing of the blood; for it was the blood that made atonement, and without shedding of blood there was no remission, v. 5-7. Some of the blood was to be sprinkled seven times before the veil, with an eye towards the Mercy Seat. Some of it was to be put upon the horns of the golden altar, because at that altar the priest himself ministered and thus was signified the putting away of that pollution which from his sins did cleave to his services. It likewise serves to illustrate the influence which Christ's satisfaction has upon the Priest's, or we could say, the believer of today. Note, this offering differs greatly from the offing of the Red Heifer that we have been studying this month. We shall see more about the sin offering tomorrow and the Red Heifer's sacrifice. rjs
Sin Offering Compared with the Red Heifer Offering
Exodus 30:10 and Lev. 4:1-16
The blood of his sacrifice
is put upon the horns of the altar of incense and sprinkled before the
Lord. When this was done the remainder of the blood was poured at the
foot of the brazen altar. By this rite, the sinner acknowledged that
he deserved to have his blood poured out like water. It likewise signified
the pouring out of the soul before God in true repentance, and typified
our Savior�s pouring out his soul unto death.
The fat of the innards was to be burnt upon the altar of burnt offering,
v. 8-10. By this, the intention of the offering and of the atonement
made by it was directed to the glory of God, who, having been dishonored
by the sin, was thus honored by the sacrifice. It signified the sharp
sufferings of our Lord Jesus when he was made sin (Who is, our sin offering
for us, especially the sorrows of his soul and his inward agonies).
It likewise teaches us of the death of Christ and we, too, are to crucify
the flesh; the duty of repentance, which is the putting away of sin as a detestable
thing, which our soul hates. True penitents say to the Tempter, "Get
you hence Satan; what have we to do any more
with you?'' Oh the privilege of remission. When God pardons sin he abolishes
it, casts it behind his back. The iniquity of
The Red Heifer
Numbers 19
The principle that death and all that pertains to it,
as being the manifestation and results of sin are defilement, that lead
to the interruption of the living relationship between God and His people.
It is not introduced for the first time, nor is it at all peculiar to
the Mosaic law. (It was traditional among the Israelites from the earliest
times, and it is traceable in various forms among other nations, both
ancient and modern). God led Moses to adopt a new and significant sacrifice
for the cleansing of all who were defiled by the dead. This new ordinance
was given after the plague which happened (Numbers
The Red Heifer
Numbers 19
The
red heifer was expelled from the precincts of the camp; so was the Saviour
cut off in no small measure during His life from the fellowship of the
chief representatives of the theocracy, and put to death outside
THE LAW CONCERNING PURIFICATION FROM
THE UNCLEANNESS OF DEATH
In
order that God�s covenant relation might be kept alive during the dying
of the older generation (all who were 20 or over that left
Preparation of the Purifying Water
As
water is the ordinary means by which all kinds of uncleanness is removed,
it was also to be employed in the removal of the uncleanness of death.
As this uncleanness was the strongest of all religious defilements,
fresh water alone was not sufficient to remove it; and consequently,
a certain kind of sprinkling-water was appointed, which was strengthened
by the ashes of a sin-offering, and thus, formed into a holy alkali.
The main point in the law which follows, therefore, was the preparation
of the ashes, and these had to be obtained by the sacrifice of a red
heifer. Numbers 19:2 The sons of
Eleazar the priest was to supervise the death,
but not touch the Red Heifer
NUMBERS 19:3-4
The sacrifice itself was to be superintended by Eleazar the priest, the eldest son of the high priest. The High Priest�s presumptive successor in office because Aaron, or the high priest, whose duty it was to present the sin-offerings for the congregation (Lev 4:16), could not, according to his official position, which required him to avoid all uncleanness of death (Lev 21:11-12), perform such an act as this. This sacrifice stood in the closest relation to death and the uncleanness of death, and for that reason had to be performed outside the camp. The subject, to �bring her forth� and �slay her,� is indefinite; since it was not the duty of the priest to slay the sacrificial animal, but of the one who offered or in the case before us of the congregation, which would appoint one of its own number for the purpose. All that the priest had to do was to sprinkle the blood before the Tabernacle. Eleazar was to sprinkle some of the blood seven times toward the front of the tabernacle (seven times, as in Lev 4:17). Through this sprinkling of the blood the slaying became a sacrifice, being brought thereby into relation to Jehovah and the sanctuary. While the life, which was sacrificed for the sin of the congregation, was given up to the Lord, and offered up in the only way in which a sacrifice prepared like this, outside the sanctuary, could possibly be offered. Numbers 19:5-6 After this, they were to burn the cow with the skin, flesh, blood, and dung, before his (Eleazar�s) eyes, and he was to throw cedar-wood, hyssop, and scarlet wool into the fire. The burning of the sacrificial animal outside the camp took place in the case of every sin-offering for the whole congregation. In the case before us, the whole of the sacrificial act had to be performed outside the camp, because the design of this sin-offering was not for the congregation that might thereby be received through the expiation of its sin into the fellowship of the God; only the unclean person who had preformed the sacrifice. God was present at the altar and in the sanctuary, but this was an antidote provided for the entire congregation, which had the infection of death. RJS
The Blood was Retained in this Sacrifice
Numbers19:5
In this sacrifice, the blood which was generally poured out at the foot of the altar was burned along with the rest, and the ashes to be obtained were impregnated with the substance thereof. In order to increase the strength of these ashes, which were already well fitted to serve as a powerful antidote to the corruption of death, as being the incorruptible remains of the sin offering which had not been destroyed by the fire, Cedar-wood was thrown into the fire as the symbol of the incorruptible continuance of life; and hyssop, as the symbol of purification from the corruption of death. The scarlet wool, a symbol of the deep red of which fore-shadowed the blood of Christ; the strongest of the strong and vital energy so that the ashes might be regarded �as purified and refined by the fire.� NUMBERS 19:7-9 The persons who took part in this sacrifice, that is the priest and the man who attended to the burning, and the clean man who gathered the ashes together, deposited them in a clean place for subsequent use became unclean until the evening in consequence. Not from the fact that they had officiated for unclean persons, and in a certain sense had participated in their uncleanness, but through the uncleanness of sin and death, which had passed over to the sin offering. Just as the man who led into the wilderness the goat which had been rendered unclean through the imposition of sin, became himself unclean in consequence of taking the goat into the wilderness (Lev 16:26). Even the sprinkling water prepared from the ashes defiled every one who touched it (v. 21), but when the ashes were regarded in relation to their appointment as the means of purification, they were to be treated as clean. Not only were they to be collected together by a clean man, but they were to be kept for future use in a clean place, just as the ashes of the sacrifices that were taken away from the altar were to be carried to a clean place outside the camp (Lev 6:4). These defilements like every other which only lasted until the evening, were to be removed by washing. The ashes were collected to serve the congregation for years to come. RJS
Ceremony of purification
Numbers 19:17-20
They were to take for the unclean person some of the dust of the burning of the cow, i.e., some of the ashes obtained by burning the cow, and put living, i.e., fresh water upon it in a vessel. A clean man was to take a bunch of hyssop (see Exodus 12:22), because of its inherent purifying power, and dip it in the water, on the third and seventh day after the defilement had taken place, and to sprinkle the tent, with the vessels and persons in it, as well as every one who had touched a corpse. Whether a person slain, or one who had died a natural death, or a grave; after which the persons were to wash their clothes and bathe, that they might be clean in the evening. The uncleanness in question is held up as the highest grade of uncleanness, by its duration being fixed at seven days, i.e., an entire week. So the appointment of a double purification with the sprinkling water shows the force of the uncleanness to be removed. In v. 20, the threat of punishment for the neglect of purification is repeated from v. 13, for the purpose of making it most emphatic.
Numbers 19:21-22, this also was to be an everlasting statute, that he who sprinkled the water of purification, or even touched it and he who was touched by a person defiled (by a corpse), and also the person who touched him, should be unclean until the evening a rule which also applied to other forms of uncleanness. No blemish - A fit type of Christ. Upon which never came yoke - Christ in himself was free from all the yoke or obligation of God�s command, until for our sakes he put himself under the law; or that Christ was not forced to undertake our burden and cross, but did voluntarily chose it. He was bound and held with no other cords but those of his own love. Eleazar was the second priest, and in some cases, the deputy of the high priest, not to Aaron, because this service made him unclean for a season, and consequently unfit for holy ministrations, whereas the high priest was, as far as he could be preserved from all sorts of defilement. It was done without the camp partly because it was reputed an unclean and accursed thing, being laden with the sins of all the people; to signify that Christ should suffer without the camp, in the place where malefactors suffered. RJS
The Mystery of the Red Heifer
Colossians 1:24-29
The Red Heifer provides an alternate path to cleansing relative to the sin offering and the fellowship offering. It comes on the heals of dead bodies in the place of worship. The responsibility of the High Priest was to guard the place of God�s special presence from defilement. At various times, these high priests had to defend the tabernacle with force of arms even from kings. We read about, King Uzziah trying to offer incense before the veil of the temple, and the high priest with the temple guard standing in his way with force of arms, I Chronicles 26:16-21. We read about the cooperation between the high priest, the rulers and the captain of the guard in dealing with these different jurisdictions during the usurpation to the throne of Queen Athaliah, I Kings 11:1-16.
When the clean place of the temple itself was defiled this could only be cleansed by the coming of a Red Heifer. Today Jews look for the coming of the Red Heifer. Indeed, there may well be a literal Red Heifer, but make no mistake, Jesus Christ and His church are the spiritual Red Heifer. As we have seen in our devotionals this month, the parallels are unmistakable. You could think of the tabernacle as a great fortress where fellowship with God and that which was spiritually clean was defended from all impurity. The same picture is not true of the church of Jesus Christ. The cleansing offered by the Red Heifer is powerful and unstoppable. Jesus said, (Matthew 16:18) � I will build my church, and the power of death will not be able to defeat it. The present church is clean through the Red Heifer and cannot be defiled. As such Jesus said, (Matthew 28:18-20) � �All power in heaven and on earth is given to me. 19 So go and make followers of all people in the world. Baptize them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach them to obey everything that I have taught you, and I will be with you always, even until the end of this age.� This fulfills the promise that God gave Abraham that in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.� I wonder today, have you been made clean by the ashes of the Red Heifer. Jesus said, (John 6:37) � the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out. Salvation and cleansing is available to all through the ashes of the Red Heifer. The Red Heifer unites both the old and the new covenant for they are one in Christ. It unites Jew and Gentile for they are one in Christ. Have you come to Him without the camp? DW
Cleansing from an Unclean Heifer
Hebrews 11:23-40
Jesus Christ was clean; yet according to the promise of Genesis 3:15 one was to come forth from the womb of the woman that would take away the curse of sin. We read in Genesis 3:15 where God says, I will make you (the serpent) and the woman enemies to each other. Your descendants and her descendants will be enemies. One of her descendants will crush your head, and you will bite his heel.� The book of Ephesians speaks of the relationship between Christ and the church as similar to that between husband and wife. In this chapter we read, 11 � Christ gave gifts to people�he made some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to go and tell the Good News� . 12 Christ gave those gifts to prepare God�s holy people for the work of serving, to make the body of Christ stronger. 13 This work must continue until we are all joined together in the same faith and in the same knowledge of the Son of God. We must become like a mature person, growing until we become like Christ and have his perfection. The New Century Version In other words, Christ�s death opened the door to cleansing not previously available to his people. This cleansing operates through gifts that will perfect all God�s people to the image of Christ.
The ashes of the Red Heifer are a picture of the present church and this cleansing work. The priests went about the work of cleansing God�s people. Their job was to discern the difference between the clean and the unclean. Through the blood of Jesus Christ, the present church is clean yet unclean. The apostle Peter writes to early Christians saying, (I Peter 2:9) � ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation� In 2 Corinthians 4:7 we read that � we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. The Red Heifer pictured an alternate sacrifice and an alternate path to cleansing. When the tabernacle or temple was defiled, it had to be cleansed. This cleansing needed to come from an alternate path. This alternate path is a picture of Jesus Christ. It was outside the normal path. It involved that which appeared unclean. This is an offense to Jewish thinking, but it shouldn�t have been. It was in the Law. It was covered in the cleansing of the red heifer. When John the Baptist and Jesus came preaching, their message was that Israel was unclean and needed cleansing. Jesus was the Red Heifer, and the work of Christ in and through the present church is the ashes of the Red Heifer. DW
Restoration to Fellowship
Matthew 27:50-55
Under the old covenant, fellowship with God was possible and permissible through the work of the tabernacle and temple. In the Garden of Eden, fellowship with God was broken by sin. Adam and Eve were expelled from the garden where they walked with God in free fellowship. With the entrance of sin into this world, this free fellowship was no longer possible.
The sacrifice of the Red Heifer had elements of the fellowship offering.
The sprinkling of blood, the use of a female, and peace between God and man were important aspects of this offering. Through the cleansing of the Red Heifer the tabernacle and temple could be cleansed. It was the responsibility of the high priest to maintain the purity of these structures of worship. He was provided with great resources, including force of arms, to do this. However, once he failed, the structure was no longer clean and needed an alternate path to cleansing in order to restore fellowship.
In today�s text, we read that � the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom� The perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ opened the door to fellowship by the perfect cleansing of God�s people. We read in Hebrews 9:13 � if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: 14How much more shall the blood of Christ,� purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? Note that spiritual cleansing involves the transformation of the inner man. Sin is a matter of the heart and soul, and cleansing is a matter of the heart and soul.
Under the old covenant, God�s presence was protected from unclean people. God�s presence was in the holiest place of the tabernacle and later on, the temple. Since the death of Jesus Christ, the door to fellowship is open. We read in I Corinthians 3:16 16Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? We are yet to be conformed to the image of Christ, and yet the Spirit of God dwells in the hearts of all who believe. This is possible through the cleansing of the Red Heifer. The Red Heifer is Jesus Christ, and the ashes of the Red Heifer are the present church. Colossians 1:27 God would make known �this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. DW
Unclean Ashes bring Cleansing
II Corinthians 5:16-21
The cross is a great stumbling block to Jewish thinking. In the Law we read, Deuteronomy 21:22, 23 � hang him on a tree� he that is hanged is accursed of God� In God�s plan and purpose of redemption, Jesus took the curse of sin on Himself. As he took this curse, God forsook Him. We read in 2 Corinthians 5:21 Christ had no sin, but God made him become sin so that in Christ we could become right with God. From the death of Christ or the ashes of the Red Heifer if you will, comes cleansing. We have cleansing coming from the unclean. The just penalty for sin is death. Christ died for our sins. He suffered the penalty of sin for us. The sacrifice of Christ both sustains divine justice and redeems fallen humanity. We read in Romans 3:26 that in the sacrifice of Christ, God is both just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.
Water is a picture of divine truth. Before the priests could enter the tabernacle and later on the temple, they had to wash their hands and feet at the laver. At the last Passover our Lord spent with His disciples, He washed their feet. This washing is a picture of the cleansing of the heart and soul that comes through God�s word. In John 17:17 we read where Jesus prays for His disciples, sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. Spiritual cleansing involves divine truth taking hold of our hearts and minds.
The work of Christ involved uncleanness and taking on Himself the curse of sin. Yet, in this work, Jesus conquered sin, death, and hell. Therefore, the result of this work is pictured in that of the Red Heifer. In the end, cleanness comes from the unclean. It is the same with the ashes of the Red Heifer and the work of the present church. In II Corinthians 5:19 we read, God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. 20Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ�s stead, be ye reconciled to God. The work of Christ continues in and through His people. In John 20:21 we read where Jesus says to His disciples, �Peace be with you. As the Father sent me, I now send you.� God is at work in the present church age through His people bringing cleansing to the entire world. The door of fellowship is open for all who receive Christ. DW
The Third Day
Philippians 3:9-14
In Numbers 19:12 we read that Aaron�s son Eleazar shall purify himself with it on the third day, and on the seventh day he shall be clean: but if he purify not himself the third day, then the seventh day he shall not be clean. Jesus rose from the dead on the third day. According to Jesus Christ, this was an important sign to the nation Israel. We read in Luke 11:30 that as Jonas was a sign unto the Ninevites, so shall also the Son of man be to this generation. We read in Romans 6:3-6, Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: 6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
Our cleansing became operative through the power of the new life of Christ�s resurrection from the dead. However, it will not be complete until the completion of this age. This is signified by the seventh day. When will this age be complete? The present church will be complete when it is taken out of this world (I Thessalonians 4:13-17). When we see Jesus, our cleansing will be complete. 1 John 3:2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him�
However, there is no other way for the present church. Those who are not cleansed the third day will not be cleansed on the 7th day. It is even as the apostles preached, (Acts 4:12) neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. Our cleansing comes not through worship of the old covenant. It is outside the old covenant as provided through ashes of the Red Heifer. Our cleansing is operative through the power of the resurrection. It involves a transformed life. 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. It is critical that we experience the power of a transformed life, if we would take part in the cleansing offered in the present church age. DW
Delivered by the High Priest
Isaiah 53:10-12
You cannot read the Gospel account without seeing how the High Priest was involved in offering up the sacrifice of Jesus Christ at Calvary. Jesus is tried before Caiaphas, the high priest. Caiaphas finds nothing in Jesus worthy of death, but speaks to justify his unjust actions. He says (John 11:50-52) that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not. 51And this spake he not of himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation; 52And not for that nation only, but that also he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad. God speaking through the very corrupt High Priest that secures the death of Jesus Christ notes that the nation needs deliverance, which is beyond the power of the law. Caiaphas spoke politically, but God spoke though him with the same words a redemptive message.
In the present age, the ashes of the Red Heifer are working to cleanse the entire world. This fulfills God�s promise to Abraham that in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed. The work of redemption in Christ was outside the work of redemption pictured in the worship of the old covenant that surrounded the tabernacle and temple. The work of the new covenant makes the old effective. We read in the book of Hebrews (11:39, 40) about those who died in faith under the old covenant that all having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: 40 God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect. The worship of the old covenant illustrated important spiritual principles surrounding the work of Christ. The cleansing of the Red Heifer illustrated the work of Christ and the church.
Without the work of Christ, the fellowship of the tabernacle and temple was incomplete. Without the present church, Israel is incomplete. I believe there is a prophetic picture here. There is a link between the present church, and the 144,000 who God uses to restore Israel to the place of fellowship and blessing. When the present church is taken out of this world, God�s work in this world is secured through the terrible days of the tribulation by the work of 144,000 sealed witnesses. Their cleansing involves the work of the present church, the ashes of the Red Heifer. DW
The Seventh Day
I Thessalonians 5:1-5
There are those that hold to a 7,000 year human history. In part, this is based on the Biblical chronology work of the Anglican archbishop Usher. As there were seven days in the creation week, there are seven days or seven periods of 1000 years that make up world history. The 1000-year kingdom of Christ is the seventh day when redemption is complete. During this time there will be a rest from the struggle with Satan as he is bound for 1000 years.
There could be support for this in Hosea�s prophecy. In Hosea 6:2 we read after two days will he revive us: in the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight. If the 7000-year view is correct, the present age where Israel is set aside lasts 2000 years and when Israel lives in the sight of God is the 1000-year reign of Christ. The 1000-year reign goes on to blend into eternity.
Our text seems to indicate those who are faithful ought to have some understanding of the times and seasons. The faithful are not in darkness. The end will not come for them as a thief in the night. We noted earlier that there is a connection between this great Messianic age in Israel and the present church age. The mystery of the present church age is pictured in the cleansing provided by the Red Heifer so that indeed they without us should not be made perfect. Part of that perfection is our ruling and reigning with Jesus Christ. We read in Revelation 1:5, 6 about Jesus that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, 6And hath made us kings and priests unto God� We have a priestly function in the present age and partake in His suffering. In II Timothy 2:2 we read, 12If we suffer, we shall also reign with him� Today, Christ�s kingdom is not of this world, but the day is coming when (Revelation 11:15) The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever. This is the seventh day, the day of rest and a time to reflect on God�s work and blessings.
It is God�s purpose not only to bring spiritual blessing, but also to bring temporal blessing. This was an important part of the promises of the old covenant. These great promises have yet to be fulfilled. Indeed, they cannot be fulfilled until the spiritual blessings become a reality. DW
Clean but Touching Death
Luke 8:48-56
In our text, we read about Jesus raising Jairus� daughter from the dead. Jairus is the ruler of a synagogue. According to the principles of the Old covenant, Jesus would be rendered unclean by touching a dead body. Why is Jesus exempt here? It is according to the principles of the cleansing of the Red Heifer. Aaron�s son Eleazar became unclean in his work, but once his work was finished, the defilement of death was defeated.
In the cleansing of the Red Heifer, different principles apply. According to Numbers 19, the death of those who aspired to be priests and died before the holy place was cleansed through the ashes of a Red Heifer. The ashes of the Red Heifer conquered death. I Corinthians 15:54-57 � Death is swallowed up in victory. 55O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? 56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. 57But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Death is primarily a spiritual issue. We die because we are polluted by sin. Jesus conquered sin, death and hell. As such, He has the power over death and hell. Jesus demonstrated this power not only by raising Himself from the dead, but by raising others. Of His own life Jesus said, (John 10:18) No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. Jesus is the Lord of life; He is the source of life. The ashes of the Red Heifer are unclean, and yet when combined with water, they bring cleansing, spiritual life and fellowship where there was death. This is exactly what we see when we look at the work of Jesus Christ, as it was, and as it is being done in and through the present church.
Spiritually death speaks of separation from God. When Adam and Eve partook of the forbidden fruit, free fellowship with God was broken and physical death followed as a result. Through the power of the resurrection, we are made a (Colossians 3:10) � new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him� What was lost in the fall is restored and exceeded in the power of Christ�s resurrection. We begin a little lower than the angels do and we end joint heirs with Christ. Such is the power of the resurrection. DW