Christ in all the scriptures
The offering of the Red Heifer Numbers 19 part 1
We have already established that all the offerings depict different aspects of the one offering of Jesus Christ. There are seven in all, and, together, they present the panoramic view of the death of Christ. We tend to be content with saying that "Jesus died for me", but the Holy Spirit would have us understand the various aspects of it, portraying the fulness of the work accomplished, resulting in such a full salvation. They are:
1) The burnt (ascending) offering- Leviticus 1; the death of Christ in devotion to God, all on the altar for God. This aspect is expanded in the gospel of John
2) The meat (grain) offering-Leviticus 2; the perfection of His life, typified in fine flour, fragrant frankincense, fresh oil, and flavouring salt. All the frankincense was for God. This pervades all four gospels.
3) The peace offering-Leviticus 3; Man and God in perfect harmony, in fellowship, enjoying the same meal. In this all the fat (the best) was for God. The subject matter of Luke's gospel and the second half of Ephesians 2. Full reconciliation to God and man will be the outcome for those of faith.
4) The sin offering-Leviticus 4; sins of ignorance fully removed. Sins of omission as well as sins of commission. Not only what we do that is evil, but what we fail to do as dependent creatures. We all come short of the glory of God, Christ in His death dealt with the whole aspect of our sinful nature. In the sin and trespass offerings all the blood was for God. Subject matter of the gospel of Mark and Peter's first epistle.
5) The trespass offering-Leviticus 5. Wilful, deliberate, disobedience and rebellion, or failure to observe the commandments of the Lord. Faith in the sacrifice of Christ removes the offence and results in God's forgiveness (4 times in chapter 5, "it shall be forgiven him"-v10, v13, v16, v18). Aspects of this in the gospel of Matthew, written to Jews who had the law and who should have known better.
6) The drink offerings-Exodus 29v38-42; Numbers 15v3-16 (also Lev. 23 and Num. 28-29) They were libations consisting of measures of wine poured out on the offerings on the altar. Their purpose was to enhance the flame and produce a sweet aroma. The pouring out meant that none of them could be recovered and symbolise total surrender and consecration. This is cited by Paul in Philippians 2v17 in the context of his service for that church. Also at the end of his life he described his death as a libation offering to the Lord (2nd Tim. 4v6). This offering was fulfilled in Christ, who so poured Himself out in the service of God-refer Isaiah 53v12 "He poured out His soul to death..."; John 10v17, "Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life..."; John 15v13, "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends if ye do whatsoever I command you"; Philippians 5v2, "Christ also hath loved us and given Himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savour"; Philippians 2v7, "He emptied Himself (R. V.- poured Himself out), and took upon Himself the form of a slave...". His libation offering enhanced all His other offerings, bringing sweet pleasure to God. From the most brutal, most treacherous murder of the Son of God, there arose that beautiful fragrance to God, which enabled Him to bless sinful mankind. The potion was measured wine for each offering, and the biblical symbol of wine is that which makes glad the heart of man (Psalm 104v15). There was from the extreme suffering of Calvary, that which brought pleasure to God (Isaiah 53v10).
7) The offering of the Red heifer-Numbers 19. This is referred to in Hebrews 9v13-14, "For if the blood of bulls and goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?" This is the seventh and final aspect of the one offering of Jesus Christ once for all. It has to do with cleansing from defilement on the wilderness journey. The chapter is emphatic..."it is a purification for sin"-v9; "He shall purify himself with it on the third day and on the seventh day"-v12; "...the ashes of a burnt heifer of purification for sin..."-v17. Not only did this defilement affect the individual but the whole household, and indeed the whole congregation. What is this defilement? It is not personal sin for that was dealt with in the sin and trespass offerings. This is defilement by proxy! defilement contracted from contact with a dead body. It may be in the home or at work in the field, or returning from war, contact with death meant defilement. In a congregation of several million it was likely to be a daily occurrence, and everyone was affected. Such is the holiness of God that even personal contact with the dead demanded cleansing. We begin to understand the need for constant cleansing. How are we to understand this today?
The world in which we live, through which we are passing to glory is a world dominated by evil thoughts and deeds and attitudes-Galatians 1v4; 1st John 2v16; John 1v10; 1st Corinthians 1v21. Indeed in Ephesians 2v1-3 the world is seen as "dead men walking", physically alive but spiritually dead. Their lives are controlled by the demon prince who has created a world order contrary to God, and their lifestyle is dominated by carnal lusts of body and mind, and whose destiny is judgment. We are not of it but we must live in it and witness to it of the mercy of God. We touch the "living dead" by contact with our neighbours, our workmates, our colleagues, even family. We don't always know it but defilement comes readily in a world dominated by evil. Christ died to deal not only with the root of sin but the fruit of sin which can so easily charm us and break fellowship with the Lord. Relationship will never be broken but fellowship can and will be. The death of Christ has dealt with both aspects of our need, the initial cleansing and the daily need for it. Both are cited in the New Testament, and He has made provision. Consider the following scriptures:
John 13v10, "He that is washed (bathed all over) needeth not save to wash (daily) his feet but is clean every whit". Titus 3v5, "...the washing of regeneration (initial overall cleansing) and renewal of the Holy Ghost (ongoing cleansing)." 1st John 1v9, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins AND to cleanse us from all unrighteousness". So comprehensive is the death of Christ for us, He has dealt with our eternal and our temporal needs in the sight of God. For our part, we are in awe at the holiness of God that such high standards are required for our reconciliation. We are equally in awe at the comprehensive efficacy of the death of Christ to bring us to God. Hebrews 10v14 says it all, "For by one offering He hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified". That one offering included restoring the glory of God; demonstrating the dignity of humanity; removing every impediment to peace and harmony; banishing the memory of sins and iniquities forever; forgiving all trespasses; pouring Himself out for the pleasure of God and the joy of man; inexhaustible cleansing till the journey's end.
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