articlesforchristians

THE ASHES OF THE RED HEIFER
One of the most intriguing symbols of the coming Messiah is the unique sacrifice of a red heifer, as described in Numbers chapter 19. Every detail of this special offering, both in Scripture and Jewish tradition, beautifully illustrates the suffering of the Messiah and the cleansing power of His death to purify the unclean.

First, all other sacrifices were male, and this was a female offering. Second, the color is specific.
The sacrifice of the red heifer, called in Hebrew the Parah Adumah, is perhaps the most unusual of all the required sacrifices. The Scripture emphasizes that the red heifer must be without spot or blemish and must never have worn a yoke. This entire offering is a detailed type and shadow of the future crucifixion of Christ.

• The offering was a female sacrifice (Num. 19:2)
  • This was significant because it represents the church. Remember that Christ died and redeemed a Bride
    •  Ephesians 5:25-27Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
• The heifer was without blemish (Num, 19:2)
  • Christ was without blemish
    • 1 Peter 1:19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:
• The heifer was offered (outside) the camp (Num. 19:3)
  • Christ was crucified (outside) the gate.
    • Heb. 13:11-12 For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned without the camp. Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate.
• The priest watched while others slew it (Num. 19:3)
  • The priests looked on at the crucifixion.
    • Matthew 27:41-42 Likewise also the chief priests mocking him, with the scribes and elders, said, He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him.
• The blood was sprinkled seven times (Num. 19:4)
  • The seven places where Christ shed His blood are:
    • On His head with the crown of thorns.
      • Matthew 27:29 And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews!
    • On His back when He was scourged.
      • Mark 15:15 And so Pilate, willing to content the people, released Barabbas unto them, and delivered Jesus, when he had scourged him, to be crucified.
    • On His left hand where He was crucified.
      • John 20:27 Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.
    • On His right hand where He was crucified.
      • John 20:27 Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.
    • On His left foot where He was crucified.
      • Luke 24:39-40 Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have. And when he had thus spoken, he shewed them his hands and his feet.
    • On His right foot where He was crucified.
      • Luke 24:39-40 Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have. And when he had thus spoken, he shewed them his hands and his feet.
    • On His side after His death.
      • John 19:34 But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water.
• The entire offering was burned (Num. 19:5)
  • It is prophesied that Jesus’s body would not see corruption. It also says that his soul will not stay in Hell.
    • Palms 16:10 For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.
  • Jesus taught that those in hell was tormented in flame.
    • Luke 16:22-26 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.
  • Christ’s body was the final offering.
    • Hebrews 10:8-10 Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law; Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second. By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
• Scarlet was placed into the fire. (Num. 19.6)
  • A scarlet robe was placed on Christ.
    • Matt. 27:27-28 Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the common hall, and gathered unto him the whole band of soldiers. And they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe.
• Wood was placed into the fire. (Num. 19:6)
  • Christ was crucified on a wooden cross.
    • 1 Peter 2:24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
• Hyssop was placed into the fire (Num. 19:6).
  • Hyssop was placed to Christ’s lips.
    • John 19:28-30 After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst. Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and they filled a spunge with vinegar, and put it upon hyssop, and put it to his mouth. When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.
• The ashes were for water of separation (Num. 19.9).
  • Jesus is the Word (click to learn more)
    • John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
  • We are washed by the water of the word.
    • Ephesians 5:25-27Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
  • Christ’s blood brings separation from sin.
    • 1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
• The unclean were purified on the third day (Num. 19:12)
  • Christ arose victorious on the third day.
    • Matthew 16:21 From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.
    • Matthew 28:6 He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.
      

After Christ declared, “It is finished,” the centurion pierced His side, and blood and water flowed out (John 19:34). This event holds deep significance, as these two elements were essential in the tabernacle (and later the temple) for purification. The blood from the sacrificial brass altar symbolized forgiveness and the removal of sin, while the water from the laver represented the purification or sanctification of the priest. Today, through the blood of Christ, we are both forgiven and sanctified. (See 1 Cor. 6:11 and Eph. 1:7)

Hebrews 9:11-15 But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.