Numbers 19:1-22
Q.1. How were the blood and the ashes of the red heifer to be used? How was it first to be applied? – (Num.19:1-10)
This sacrifice undoubtedly pointed forward to the cleansing blood of Christ – This is the statute of the law which the Lord has commanded, saying, `Speak to the sons of Israel that they bring you an unblemished red heifer in which is no defect and on which a yoke has never been placed (Num.19:2). Firstly Eleazar, the high priest, was to sprinkle the blood symbolically seven times at the tent of meeting (Num.19:3-4). After the heifer was sacrificed, it was burned with cedar wood, hyssop, and scarlet material. All involved were to wash themselves and their clothing. The ashes were then collected and stored in a clean place – … and the congregation of the sons of Israel shall keep it as water to remove impurity; it is purification from sin (Num.19:9). In this laborious way, Israel had a means of cleansing – … and it shall be a perpetual statute to the sons of Israel and to the alien who sojourns among them (Num.19:10).
Q.2. For what were the ashes of the red heifer to be used? How important was this ordinance to God? – (Num.19:11-22)
The water mixed with the ashes of the red heifer was to remove purity, and restore the cleansing needed for fellowship. The Book of Numbers gave great detail about the rules governing cleansing for anyone who touched a corpse under various circumstances (Num.19:11-19). To refuse to follow the laws governing cleansing, defiled the sanctuary of the Lord (Num.19:13 & 20). These rules safeguarded the people against infectious diseases and plagues before they were understood. God was protecting His people and teaching them that a human being was to be treated with dignity.