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” person who purify the “unclean” also becomes unclean (v21); Jesus became “unclean” when he became sin for us, so that we become righteous. (2Cor 5:21)

7. Heifer will be sacrificed again and again to provide ashes for the Israelites to use (v9); Jesus Christ sacrifice is once for all, for anyone who will believe (Heb 10:10)

In order to "clean" us, Jesus had to become "unclean." In order to give us eternal life, Jesus had to die. In order to give us access to God, Jesus was "abandoned" by God on the cross. May we all praise God and the Lord Jesus for their amazing love for us! Hallelujah!!!

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