This is part of a video series covering the entire Bible in 4 years, one chapter at a time. Start at the beginning with Genesis 1 (Youtube link: https://youtu.be/wC2qD4RGOdo) and work through the playlist. Or go to https://www.peace.org.au/bible.html for more information.
In this video listen to Numbers 19 read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.
In Numbers 19 we meet the red heifer. A heifer is a female cow that hasn’t had a calf yet, so is technically a virgin cow. This is an interesting symbol which represents both Christ and the Church.
First of Christ because it is a sacrifice that happens outside the camp, just as Christ was sacrificed outside the city. But secondly of the Church because this is a female heifer without spot and wrinkle, and is red. The church is also described as the wife of Christ, pure and spotless and red meaning under the blood of Christ.
As Christ dies for the Church, symbolised by the sacrifice of the red heifer, the church is also dead in him in the same symbolism. In baptism we are told that we died with Christ, so this symbol is both of these things.
Numbers 19 describes how the ashes of this sacrificed heifer are for cleansing when a dead body was touched. It was to be used on day three and day seven after becoming unclean.
As believers, when we die with Christ we are now a new creature, and we must let go of our old dead man, but sometimes we want to dig him up again. But if we dig him up again, we become unclean. So we must go to Christ again. And as Christ was raised on the third day for our redemption, and in creation the seventh day is also the day of rest, we find our redemption and our rest in Christ.
This is an example of a powerful Old Testament symbol.
Do you keep digging up your old man? The answer is to go to Christ.
May 21, 2021 | Message by David Alley