Bring
. . . a red heifer without defect or blemish. (Numbers 19:2)
The red heifer was different from all the sacrifices detailed in Leviticus. First, most sacrificial animals were males; the red heifer was female. Second, sacrificial animals were normally not burned whole; the red heifer was. And third, the red heifer was not sacrificed; it was slaughtered – outside the camp – nowhere near the bronze altar.
The red heifer was different from all the sacrifices detailed in Leviticus. First, most sacrificial animals were males; the red heifer was female. Second, sacrificial animals were normally not burned whole; the red heifer was. And third, the red heifer was not sacrificed; it was slaughtered – outside the camp – nowhere near the bronze altar.
The finished product, for which the ashes of the red heifer were the main ingredient, was cleansing water. This water was formulated by adding cedar wood, hyssop and scarlet wool to the burning heifer and its purpose was to restore ritual cleanness after a 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 cleansed the ceremonially unclean allowing them to continue in relationship with the community, the blood of Christ cleanses us from our uncleanness restoring us to community with God and his children.
135
years ago Robert Lowry put it better than I ever could:
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]
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]
The Israelites asked for safe passage through Edom, but they were not allowed to pass through and the Edomites came up against them. However, God enabled them to destroy Arad, Sihon, and Og of Bashon. Was there a reason God did not allow them to destray Edom as well? Also, I am assuming all of these cities were not in the promised land since they had not crossed over the Jordan River yet. Were these Israelites near the end of their 40 years in the desert, i.e., the descendants that would be allowed to go into the promised land?
ReplyDeleteMerry, You're right; this was near the end of their wilderness travels. They would continue up the east side of the Dead Sea (although they had to go out of their way and travel much farther because of Edom's uncooperative attitude) and arrive at the Plains of Moab, a flat place where the Jordan river drained into the Dead Sea. There they would camp awaiting the orders to cross the Jordan and move into Canaan. They were camped directly across the river from Jericho - site of their first battle of occupation.
ReplyDeleteAs to why God did not allow them to attack Edom: Esau was Jacob's brother. So the Edomites (his descendants) were cousins to the Israelites. God still had good will for the Edomites. That good will was not however reciprocated by the Edomites to the Israelites. They would in face become age old enemies in time.