The Heifer and The Messiah
Yesterday, I was studying Numbers 19. In that chapter, God spoke about the cleansing of Israelites who touched dead bodies or in an enclosed room with corpse. In order to cleanse them, they need to put the ashes of a red heifer into the water, and sprinkle on the unclean person. What amazes me in this chapter foreshadows what Christ had done for us. Here is the list of similarities: 1. The heifer was sacrificed outside the camp (v3). Jesus was crucified outside the city (Heb 13:12) 2. The heifer must be perfect, without a single blemish (v2). Jesus is without sin, a perfect sacrifice (1 Pet 1:19) 3. Heifer’s blood sprinkled in the sanctuary; Jesus blood cleanses us from sin (Heb 9:13-14) 4. Heifer’s ashes mixed with water for purification; Water represents the Holy Spirit dwelling in us, who sanctifies us. (Isa 44:3; Rom 8:9-11) 5. Heifer purifies from corpse (physical death) defilement (v11-13); Jesus cleanses us from sin and death. (Rom 6:23; 2Tim 1:10) 6. The “clean...