Suggested Bible Reading: Numbers 18-20
Devotional Thought:
Chapter nineteen details the offering of the red heifer and is consistent with the character of the book of Numbers. It teaches God’s provision for sins in the wilderness and gives an answer of how to deal with sins after conversion. The teaching of chapter 19 is rich in truth and includes (1) why the teaching was given, (2) why the choice of the red heifer, (3) the design of the sacrifice, and (4) how the Jew could apply the cleansing aspect of the heifer’s ashes. These are all aspects that should be of great interest for every Christian. The sacrifice of the red heifer approaches more closely to the “once for all” example, we have been studying in Hebrews on Sunday mornings, of the sacrifice of Christ at Calvary than any other Levitical offering. It seems that very rarely did a heifer need to be slain to renew the ashes. One commentary states, “that only six have been required during the whole of the Jewish history, for the smallest amount of the ashes availed to impart cleansing virtue to the sacred water.” The law of the red heifer shows how the believer can balance the two extreme views of sin: (1) presumption that says sin does not matter, and (2) despair that says it cannot be cleansed. Unfortunately, we find both extremes in our churches today. In this chapter, the holiness of God is emphasized and the serious nature of sin is clearly illustrated. God’s people were a people separated unto Him, and because of this the Israelite had to avoid ceremonial defilement of different kinds, particularly contamination from dead bodies. The Bible teaches that death is the most visible outcome of sin. “… and sin when it is finished bringeth forth death.” (James 1:15). It should also be carefully observed that there is no mention in the chapter of guilt or of atonement. The red heifer teaches that while the Day of Atonement put the people into a favorable position, they could not treat the defilement of sin as no big deal. This is why a unique feature of this sin offering was that the blood was never brought into the tabernacle, the holy place, or into the holiest of all, the holy of holies. It shows in type that the work of atonement by Christ on the cross is a work that can never be undone and that on this basis the believer is justified once for all from the penalty of sin. On the other hand, the law of the red heifer teaches that the believer, if fellowship with God is to be enjoyed, must be cleansed and free from the defilement of sin; therefore, the believer is encouraged to confess his sin as taught in 1 John 1:9.
Prayer Requests:
• Lord, please help me to keep short sin accounts. I want so desperately to walk in consistent fellowship with you.
• Lord, thank you for making a way for us to deal with our sinful choices and for knowing we are but dust. Help me to never presume upon your grace, but to hate sin like you do.
• Lord, please help me to accurately reflect the seriousness of sins consequences and model the joy of walking in fellowship with you.