Numbers Chapter 19
God provided a structure for those who had become unclean to be purified with water that was prepared in a very special way. The uncleanness that needed to be purified came through touching a dead body or the bones from a dead body or a grave. God gave instructions for a completely different type of sacrifice. He instructed them to sacrifice a female cow that was red in color signifying blood, and they burned this animal completely on an altar with most of its blood and all. The cow was burned with cedar and hyssop that was wrapped with scarlet yarn. The ashes produced from this animal being completely consumed was then included in small portions into water for the priest to use for purification.
“Scarlet, the color of blood, was used in the veil and curtains of the tabernacle (Exodus 26:31), in the garments of the high priest (Exodus 28:5-6), and for the covering for the table of showbread (Numbers 4:8). Scarlet was the sign of Rahab’s salvation (Joshua 2:21) and the color of the “king’s robe” mockingly set on Jesus by Roman soldiers (Matthew 27:28).” [Guzik]
Let's Reflect
1. According to verse 11, God said that a person who touched a dead body was unclean for how long?
2. Even the priest who handled the dead body of the heifer were considered unclean. The man who gathered up the ashes from this special sacrifice had to be what?
3. According to verse 13 if a person had touched a dead body and then came to the tabernacle without having been purified, they were guilty of what?
4. When a person died in a tent everything inside that tent including any open containers of food was considered unclean. What special plant was used to sprinkle the water of purification on the tent?
5. Even the man who touched the water for purification would be considered unclean until what time?
The offering of the red heifer and the water of purification are a picture pointing to the perfect work of Jesus Christ. All uncleanness and all sin problems have been taken care of in the New Covenant by the sacrificial death of Jesus on that cross. Praise the Lord!
