The purpose of the red heifer was to be used as a sin offering. Its burnt ashes was to be used for the purification of those who touched the dead body of any person who died in the tent or killed by the sword. The ashes of the burnt sin offering is to be mixed with fresh water. Hyssop is then used to dip it in the water and sprinkled on the tent and on all the furnishings and on the persons who were there and on whoever touched the bone, or the slain or the dead or the grave. This will make them clean after seven days. It was a serious matter to be kept holy, for those who disobey will be cut off from the people of Israel.

This purification ritual came about because of increasing death. The people had rebelled several times, and many had died during these rebellions. Finally, at the time of Aaron’s rod which budded, the people realized that death was the inevitable result of their sinning against the Lord (Numbers 17:12-13). The first generation of Israel who left Egypt were not allowed into the promise land. They were destined to die in the wilderness because of their disobedience.

It was already understood, even from Genesis 2, that death was the result of sin, and that purification from sin was necessary, or further defilement and death would be the natural result.

Those who are defiled and yet come near the tabernacle would surely die. In response, God provided the sin offering of the red heifer in order to cleanse the people from the stain of sin related to death. The red heifer chosen for the offering has to be without blemish or defects, and it must never be used in any kind of work. We could also say that no yoke on it meant that it had never been under slavery or bondage. The reddish brown cow must have to be young in order for no yoke to be put on it. The high priest inspected the sacrifice, but he was not to be the one who slaughtered the animal, which was done outside the camp. Once it was slaughtered and burnt, the ashes would be used for the purification ceremony. God provided a way for them to be able to return back to the tabernacle to worship Him.

This red heifer was a foreshadow of the perfect sacrifice of the Messiah, Jesus Christ. It was not coincidence that Jesus was taken before the high priest, who examined him and then handed him over to be killed. He was taken through the Damascus gate to Calvary, which was outside the city walls. Hebrews 9:13-14 says:

For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the sprinkling of defiled persons with the ashes of a heifer, sanctify for the purification of the flesh, how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God.

Dear brothers and sisters, the Hebrew author argues that the red heifer could only temporary cleanse us of our sins to remove us from death. Yet, when Christ came, He took our defilement away permanently. He restores our broken relationship with God permanently. God provided a way out for Israel to restore themselves back to God through the red heifer in the past, and now, he gave His only son to be the perfect restoration for us. We are a blessed generation because of this permanent grace given to those who believe in Him. Lest we forget. Lest we forget Gethsemane. Lest we forget Thine agony. Lest we forget Thy love for us. We praise God for His great love for us!

Pray: Father, help us to return to you with a heart of gratitude of what Christ has done on the cross. Lest we forget that we are recipients of an undeserving grace that comes from you. In Jesus name we pray, amen.