Read Numbers 19:1-22
This isn’t the only place the Bible speaks of the importance of purification. You may recall Leviticus 11-15 as well as a couple other places in the law of Moses. However, it is my understanding this is the only account that talks about the red heifer. An interesting reference to be sure! While color usually didn’t matter for animal sacrifice, this one must be perfect and resemble the color of blood.
The mere necessity to talk about touching dead people in more than one Biblical text leads me to believe it was a big deal in those days. Was it a “thing” for people go around touching dead people? What made it so defiling? Perhaps these texts are the reason I have never touched a dead person, and I’ve had plenty of loved ones go before me.
To bring this process up to date, at least to the New Testament times, the preacher had this to say in Hebrews 9:13-14. “Under the old system, the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer could cleanse people’s bodies from ceremonial impurity. Just think how much more the blood of Christ will purify our consciences from sinful deeds so that we can worship the living God. For by the power of the eternal Spirit, Christ offered himself to God as a perfect sacrifice for our sins.” That was helpful. Now there is some stuff to reflect upon today.
We never want to fall for the untruth that the Old Testament is outdated and irrelevant. If we allow the Holy Spirit to guide us, we can see how beautifully the Old Testament sets up and amplifies everything about the New Testament. I feel bad for those people who disregard it and miss out on so many deep and sincere truths about the character of God.
God uses sacrifices and the cleansing rituals to clear away anything that would keep us from him. In the “old days” that cleansing looked a lot different. Rather than get sprinkled with ashes and water, we have Jesus. We can let our devotion to Christ and our desire to be more like him, cleanse us. Jesus is that perfect sacrifice for us, it’s nothing we do. We simply adore and follow him.
When we come before the LORD, we want to leave our baggage behind. That way, we can truly focus on God and building that relationship. We know we, in turn, will be refreshed and ready for our assignment.
Let’s pray. Lord, thank you for giving your life to cleanse me from the impurity of my sinfulness. Forgive me for times I have defiled myself in ways I could have avoided. Give me the wisdom to be more devoted and focused on your desires for me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
