The red heifer was different from all the sacrifices detailed in Leviticus. First of all, the red heifer was not sacrificed; it was slaughtered - outside the camp - nowhere near the bronze altar. Second; sacrificial animals were males; the red heifer was female. Third, sacrificial animals were not burned whole; the red heifer was.
The finished product, for which the ashes of the red heifer were the main ingredient, was cleansing water. This water was specially formulated to restore a person's ritual cleanness after that person came into contact with a dead body. This was a gift of grace, allowing a family member to minister to the deceased, knowing that their own cleanness could be restored.
Hebrews 9:13-14 explains how, as the ashes of the red heifer cleanse the ceremonially unclean allowing them to continue in relationship with the community, the blood of Christ cleanses us from our uncleanness allowing us to live in relationship with God.
What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus
What can make me whole again? nothing but the blood of Jesus
O precious is the flow that makes me white as snow
No other fount I know; nothing but the blood of Jesus [1]
Does your relationship with God need restored?
[1] W/M: Robert Lowry - published 1876 - public domain
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