The Red Heifer

Reasoning The Scriptures

The Red Heifer By M.S.Mariadas and Y.R.Dinakaran Bible Students, M.B.S.A

The heifer, unlike the par ("bull") was not usually used in the Old Testament as a sacrificial animal. The red heifer was the exception. This animal was slaughtered and burned outside the camp (Num. 19:1-9). The ashes were preserved for future use. The ashes were to be kept for a "water separation," or “purification for sin" (vs. 9, 17-22). That ceremony was to remove defilement incurred through contact with the dead (vs. 11-16). The word in Numbers 19 for heifer is parah (paw raw'). This is the feminine gender of the term for "bullock." It means a cow, a kine, or a calf or a young cow. Before we could unfold this lesson, let us briefly look at some important Laws regarding the Red heifer. LAWS REGARDING THE RED HEIFER • • • •

• • • •

•

• •

The red heifer was to be "without spot" and without blemish.” - Num 19:2 It was to be without a yoke. - Num 19: 2 It must be Red. - Num 19: 2 It was to be sacrificed outside the Camp; not on the altar of the tabernacle. –Num 19:3 Its blood was to be sprinkled before the door of the Tabernacle – Num 19:4 Its body was to be burnt outside the camp; same as sin offering sacrifices. – Num 19:5 (Compare Lev 4:12; Numbers 19:9.) Hyssop, Cedar, Scarlet Thread must be added while burning. - Num 19: 6 Its ashes must be heaped up and kept for the usage of all tribes of Israel. -Num 19: 9 The sacrifice of red heifer is also counted as sin offering. “Shall gather up the ashes of the heifer and deposit them outside the camp in a clean place. And they shall be kept for the water for impurity for the congregation of the people of Israel; it is a sin offering.” - Num 19:9 ( ESV) The ashes should be added with the “waters of separation” and sprinkled on the unclean. - Num 19: 17 The unclean was to be pronounced clean on 3rd day and 7th day. - Num 19 :11, 19

Truth is stranger than fiction; Truth is a Solid Rock – infallible. All our blind beliefs are sinking sand. Long ago a poet wrote, “On Christ the solid Rock I stand, all other ground is sinking Sand.” How true it is, when our faith is not stayed on Christ, the solid rock will fall and sink by and by. Many Christian scholars, to suit their doctrines, have twisted the Truth and have built their faith on sinking sands and have fallen. Light dispels darkness; likewise Truth dispels error. But to some brethren error dies hard because they reason only with their blind belief, rather than scripturally. We are not condemning our brethren, nor we are against them, we boldly condemn the ERROR and FALSEHOOD which have crept into the truth once delivered by Apostles and our Lord. We condemn those who glorify the error rather than the Truth.

The Red Heifer

1

Reasoning The Scriptures Pastor Charles Taze Russell has misinterpreted the Offering of Red Heifer in his own way. He, in order to support his Sin Offering (i.e. The Church’s Share in the Sacrifice of Christ) doctrine, applied the sacrifice of the red heifer to the Ancient Worthies. Regarding the Red Heifer, in one of his publication, he has written: What, then, did this sacrifice of the red heifer signify? -- What class or persons were represented by it as having suffered outside the "Camp," and in what sense of the word would their sufferings have to do with the cleansing or purification of the people of God--including those who shall yet become his people during the Millennial age? We answer that a class of God's people, not of the "Royal Priesthood," did suffer for righteousness' sake outside the "Camp." A brief history of these, and of the fiery trials which they endured, is given us by the Apostle in Heb. 11. Of these he says, after recounting the faith exploits. Here we have a class fitting to the account of the Red Heifer -- a class which laid down their lives outside the "Camp;" a class in every way honorable and yet not a priestly class. This class, being no part of the Body of the High Priest, could have no part or share in the sin-offerings of the Atonement Day -- nor could it be admitted into the spiritual conditions typified by the Holy and Most Holy. It may seem to some remarkable that we should, with so much positive ness, declare that these ancient worthies were not members of the "Royal Priesthood;" while with equal positive ness we declare that the no more faithful servants of God of this Gospel age are members of this "Royal Priesthood." Our positive ness on this subject is the positive ness of the Word of God, which in the very connection with the narrative of the faithfulness of these patriarchs declares in so many words, "These all having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise [received not the chief blessing], God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect." Heb. 11:39, 40 But while these ancient worthies are not in any sense part of the sin-offering, they are nevertheless connected with the cleansing from sin: (note :- Bro Russell has said that the sacrifice of the ancient worthies will cleanse sin) their ashes (the knowledge and remembrance of their faithfulness unto death), mingled with the water of truth, and applied with the purgative, cleansing hyssop, is valuable, purifying, sanctifying all who desire to come into full harmony with God--and "sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purification of the flesh." Not, however, of themselves would these lessons of faithfulness in the past be valuable to us, but only by, through and associated with the sin-offerings of the Day of Atonement, to which the Apostle refers in the same connection--"the blood of bulls and goats." And not only are the remembrance and lessons of the faithfulness of the ancient worthies (typified by the ashes of the red heifer) of sanctifying power to us now, but in a much larger sense they will be applicable and a blessing to the world of mankind in general during the Millennial age – [Tabernacle Shadows of Better Sacrifice, chapter 7, Pages 105-112]

It is true that Error always dies hard. It is with this blind belief in the world today that some bible students are being led. It is our duty to correct them and show the real truth. Our aim is to correct and rectify those errors of Bro. Russell, which for so many years have been taught and believed without any scriptural authority. So, dear brethren, with humble spirit and prayers we put forth some of our understanding which we believe is true and scriptural. If our understanding in any way contrary to the doctrines of the Apostles and prophets, we want to be corrected and so it can be rectified.

The Red Heifer

2

Reasoning The Scriptures THE TRUE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE RED HEIFER The red heifer was to be "without spot and without blemish,” same as the Paschal Lamb Num 19:2 Exo 12:5. Note:- all the sacrifices offered in the Old Testament were to be without spot and without blemish (Lev 22:19) It is generally agreed by students of the Scriptures that the term "without defect” and "without blemish" figuratively represents someone who is undefiled and without sin. There has been only one person who has walked on this earth of ours who can qualify to fit that description. That person is Jesus Christ and him alone. This is verified for us by the writer of the Epistle of first Peter. (1st Peter 1:19:) “But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.” This key is that Christ "as of a Lamb offered himself unblemished to God". No one but Jesus could offer himself unblemished to God. Now, Christ Jesus, though born of a woman, yet he was without spot and without blemish. Everybody else is born blemished with the defects of sin by way of inheritance due to Father Adam's fall from perfection. This is clearly verified by the Apostle Paul in the book of Romans. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Romans 3:23 (NIV) the Psalmist also makes reference to this. Psalm 51:5 “Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me." (NIV) The scriptures leave no doubt that only Jesus was without sin and thus could be pictured in the types and shadows of the Old Testament sacrifices as one without blemish and without defect. Now Let us reason whether the ancient worthies were without blemish and without spot of sin? No, never. They were all descendents of Adam, and in Adam, all die; but through Christ, all live. The red heifer was never to have been yoked. A yoke is a symbol of controlled or forced submission (1 Kings 12:4, 9, 10, 11, 14). Adam. Before he sinned, had but one law to obey – not to eat of the tree of good and evil. But after he sinned, was driven and expelled from the presence of God, he came under the Yoke of sin and death. Prophet Isaiah While referring to the Israelites forced submission to Midianites called the yoke a Burden. “For thou hast broken the yoke of his burden, and the staff of his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, as in the day of Midian” Isa 9:4 compare with 10:27. Sin is also a burden which made all mankind to bend and serve Satan. Prophet Jeremiah while referring the iniquities committed by the Children of Israel said the Yoke as Transgression “The yoke of my transgressions is bound by his hand: they are wreathed, [and] come up upon my neck: he hath made my strength to fall, the Lord hath delivered me into [their] hands, [from whom] I am not able to rise up”. Lam 1:14 compare with Isa 58:6, 7. Thus we can come to a conclusion that a yoke may well represent the forced submission and control of Sin and Death. A yoke has the significance of subjection and servitude thus showing that no works are to be attached to salvation. We can view this from two standpoints. One was mentioned earlier in that Jesus was never subject to the yoke or bondage of sin. From a second standpoint it should be noted that animals that are yoked are compelled to do what is required of them. Jesus was never "yoked", he was not compelled nor coerced, or required to be a sacrifice for the sins of the world, for he voluntarily laid down his life because he wished to please his heavenly Father. • Hebrews 10:9-10 “Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first that he may establish the second. 10 by the will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” (KJV)

The Red Heifer

3

Reasoning The Scriptures •

Psalm 40:6-8 “ Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but my ears you have pierced; burnt offerings and sin Offerings you did not require. Then I said, "Here I am, I have come -- it is written about me in the scroll. desire to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart." (NIV)

Christ, born of woman, was never under the Yoke of sin and death, he was sinless and perfect - Heb 7:26; Luke 1:35. Now, we ask those who accepted Bro. Russell’s teachings, in what way the ancient worthies were without a Yoke? Of course, the ancient worthies were under the yoke of sin and death. (Some lived before the Law was given to Moses.) But it was their faith that justified them (Rom. 4:20-23). We never see any scriptures telling ancient worthies were ever without a yoke. In Hebrews 9:13, 14 are found references to the Red Heifer compared to the effectiveness of Christ's blood for the forgiveness of sins. “For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of a 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?” The Apostle Paul clearly unfolds the antitype of the Red Heifer in Heb 9:13-14; that it is none other than the Blood of Christ which purge our conscience from the dead works. The Red Heifer typifies Christ’s voluntary coming to redeem us and His sinless character even though He took our sins as His own. The "blood of Christ" is compared to the "blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer" and is shown to be a perfect substitute for the previous types which foreshadowed the one and only possible "unblemished" sacrifice acceptable to God. If the blood of the "red heifer" and "goats" had meant to represent any other person or group of persons as some teach, would the great Apostle Paul not have included them in the comparison in verse 14 above? But the fact is that he didn't. He related the blood of bulls, of goats and of the ashes of the red heifer to only the blood of Christ. What more proof do we need to prove Christ is the antitype of the Red Heifer? WHY A RED HEIFER? The Primary Law regarding the Heifer was, that it was to be RED is very significant. A totally red heifer was a rarity. Jesus often identified himself as the "Son of Man". Adam, the first Son was created and formed from the dust of the earth. Adam has "ruddy" as one of its meanings which is believed to have its connection with the "red earth" from which he, the first man, was formed. Adam was the only being who God brought into this world by this process. In this sense Adam was not only unique but more than rare, being a one and only. The "heifer" being "red" would picture Jesus as the "Son of Man", a unique human being, and the only one that could qualify as a substitute to take the place of Adam. 1 Corinthians 15:45 "And so it is written, the first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit." (KJV) Christ as the son of Adam (earthy-red) came in red apparel— red with His own blood which was the blood of mankind, red with the blood of His enemies. Although enemies, He reconciled us to God, through His death (Isa. 63:1-3; Rom. 5:10).

The Red Heifer

4

Reasoning The Scriptures WHY A FEMALE GENDER? Now let us deal with the point that the red heifer was of the female gender. Numbers 19:2 "This is a requirement of the law that the LORD has commanded: Tell the Israelites to bring you a red heifer without defect or blemish and that has never been under a yoke." (NIV) The question that comes to mind is how can a female animal be used to represent Jesus? While it should be noted that all the Atonement Day sacrifices were of the male gender, the fact that the red heifer is female in gender should not pose any real problem in the proper interpretation of this type. As verse 2 above tells us, the people, the Israelites, were to provide this female animal and bring it to the priests for sacrificing. This was also the case subsequent to the Day of Atonement where the people were specifically told to bring a female animal for their sin offering as the following texts show: •

Leviticus 4:28 “When he is made aware of the sin he committed, he must bring as his offering for the sin he committed a female goat without defect." (NIV)

•

Leviticus 4:32 “`If he brings a lamb as his sin offering, he is to bring a female without defect." (NIV)

•

Leviticus 5:6 "as a penalty for the sin he has committed, he must bring to the LORD a female lamb or goat from the flock as a sin offering; and the priest shall make atonement for him for his sin." (NIV)

There may be other reasons for these sin offering animals to be female but below are the thoughts of one commentator. "The use of the female in this case (red heifer) may be intended to symbolize the giving forth of the new life to those who had been defiled by contact with death." A Christian is often contaminated by coming into contact with the deadness of the World and needs then to be cleansed of its effects. Certainly we can all agree that Jesus' sacrifice has given the Christian a new life as new creatures in Him, and Continues the renewal process all through their walk in the narrow way in this life. It should be noted that the Atonement Day sacrifices were not slain outside the camp but on the altar that was in the court of the Tabernacle and only the hide, flesh and the dung of the bullock were burned outside the camp. (Lev.8:16-17) THE RED HEIFER SACRIFICED OUT SIDE THE CAMP Jesus’ passion fulfills the typological [prophetic] elements of the red heifer sacrifice. The heifer was to be slain outside the city; Jesus was slain “outside the gate” (Hebrews 13:12). Historically the heifer was taken to the Mount of Olives and slain. Jesus’ passion prayer occurred in Gethsemane on the Mount of Olives (Matthew 26:30). The entire heifer was to be consumed. Jesus gave himself completely in sacrifice. The red heifer was a congregational, or corporate offering (Num. 19:1). It was to be offered outside the camp as an impure thing, typifying Christ who was made to be sin and a curse for us. He suffered outside the established order of things (Heb. 13:12). Outside the camp, Note: - All the way from Genesis to Deuteronomy a Heifer offered, referred and pointed our Lord’s death 1). Gen 15:8-9, 12 & 17, 2) Num 19. 3 & Heb 9:14 3).Deut 21:4. 5 The Red Heifer

Reasoning The Scriptures The heifer was to be totally consumed with nothing remaining but ashes. This typified the extent to which the last Adam (Christ) would go. He offered Himself, symbolized as a sacrifice made by fire (2 Cor. 5:21; Isa. 9:18; Psa. 22:14). The death of Christ was a separation from the Father. This is the depth to which Christ went in order to save the world. He went to Sheol for us. He offered His soul for us (Isa. 53:12). The burning to ashes represents the total consumption and destruction of sin and sinners (Mal. 4:1, 3). This is the full extent covered in the infinite sacrifice to which Christ gave himself! He took our place as the Sin-bearer. Yea, more than this. He was sin for us in order that He might destroy him (Satan) who had the power of sin and death (Heb. 2: 14, 15 2 Cor 5:21) HYSSOP, CEDAR AND SCARLET In addition to the obvious spiritual significance of the law of the Sacrifice of the Red Heifer, we now understand that the water of purification described in Number 19 actually had the ability to destroy germs and infection. The resulting water of purification solution contained ashes from the Red Heifer sacrifice combined with cedar, hyssop and scarlet thread. This water of purification contained "cedar" oil that came from a kind of juniper tree that grew in both Israel and in the Sinai. This cedar oil would irritate the skin, encouraging the person to vigorously rub the solution into their hands. Most importantly, the hyssop tree-associated with mint, possibly marjoram, would produce hyssop oil. This hyssop oil is actually a very effective antiseptic and antibacterial agent. Hyssop oil contains 50 percent carvacrol which is an antifungal and antibacterial agent and is still used in medicine, according to the book None Of These Diseases. When we note that the waters of purification from the Red Heifer sacrifice were to be used to cleanse someone who had become defiled and unclean due to touching a dead body, we begin to understand that this law was an incredibly effective medical law as well as a spiritual law. The Book of Hebrews reveals that Paul, an educated rabbi, understood that the Red Heifer sacrifice had a practical medical effect as well as its more obvious spiritual element. Paul declared that "the blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of a heifer, sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies for the purifying of the flesh" (Hebrews 9:13). The Jews stood apart from the pagan nations in attention to sanitation and personal cleanliness as a result of the commands of God revealed in the Old Testament. During the sacrifice of the heifer, hyssop, cedar and scarlet were to be added. While on trial Jesus had a scarlet robe placed on him (Matthew 27:28). As he hung on the cross he asked for a drink. The soldiers dipped hyssop in vinegar and gave it to him (John 19:29). And cedar was a wood or a tree, like wise Christ was crucified on a tree (wood, cross) the burning or destroying of Cedar, Hyssop and scarlet seem to offer beautiful significances •

The cedar wood signifies strength and soundness. The cedar is unique in its ability to resist corruption as well as preserving things around it. This was certainly true of Jesus. The burning represents the death and destruction of all true greatness and human glory of the only perfect human sacrifice, Jesus Christ

The hyssop was a plant that grew about eighteen inches high that possessed Flowers and leaves which possess an aromatic smell and a warm pungent taste. The hyssop signifies the acceptability of the red heifer, a sweet savor consumed in the fire (death) unto the Lord. So it was with Jesus' sacrifice. 6 The Red Heifer •

Reasoning The Scriptures •

The scarlet wool would represent the destruction of sin. The prophet Isaiah assists us here as well as the Apostle Paul to interpret its meaning. Isaiah 1:18 “Come now; let us reason together," Says the LORD. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool." (NIV) Hebrews 7:27 "Unlike the other high priests, he (Jesus) does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself." (NIV)

CLEANSING ON 3RD DAY AND 7TH DAY The red heifer’s ashes were applied to the defiled person in two stages, on the third day and on the seventh (Numbers 19:12). The third day may refer to the statements given by John 2:19 -20, “Jesus answered and said unto them, ‘Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.’” The merits of Christ’s Sacrifice (typified by the Ashes) were actually able to be appropriated after His resurrection and ascension to heaven (John 20:17) i.e. after the third day by his disciples. Likewise, the merits of Christ’s Sacrifice represented by the Ashes of the heifer will be appropriated eventually on the seventh millennial day by all Mankind who died through Adam. Thus, Jesus’ sacrifice fulfills the prophetic significance of the red heifer sacrifice. WHY WAS THE BLOOD OF THE RED HEIFER SPRINKLED SEVEN TIMES TOWARDS THE TABERNACLE OR TENT OF MEETING? The Day of Atonement sacrifices slain in the court and sacrificed on the Altar in the court represented various aspects of Jesus' atonement sacrifice for sin. These sacrifices atoned for all existing sins, and as stated earlier, the sacrifice of the red heifer was to cleanse the sinner of any future sins that might be committed. The sprinkling of the blood of the red heifer seven times towards the tabernacle or tent of meeting would indicate or point back as a way of remembrance to the perfect (represented by the number 7) and all inclusive ("once for all" - Heb.10:10) sacrifice of Jesus nearly two thousand years ago. The sacrifice of the red heifer was not directly connected with the regular and usual worship service of the sanctuary. The ceremony was conducted outside the camp. The offering of the red heifer was not only for the Israelite, but also for the stranger or Gentile among them. (Num. 19:10). It was universal in its scope. Like wise Christ offering was not only for the Church but also for the entire world, it was for Both Jew and Gentile, no distinction between Jew and Greek, bond or free, male or female. 1st John 2:2; Gal 3:28. THE ASHES OF THE RED HEIFER USED FOR THE FLESH

PURIFICATION OF THE

The ashes were sufficient for all the people. When a person or a family needed purification, a fresh heifer was not required to be sacrificed. One was sufficient for all, including the sojourning stranger (Num. 19:10). So the sacrifice of Christ is sufficient for everyone - for the Church and for all mankind (1 John 2:2). The Ashes were also used to purify the defilement of the flesh (Num 19:9). Likewise, Christ, the Word, in the beginning is all powerful to purify the filth and defilement stated by Apostle Paul in 2 Cor. 7:1. Christ’s sacrifice is everlastingly efficacious. There is enough virtue in His sacrifice for the 7 The Red Heifer

Reasoning The Scriptures sins of the world (1 John 2:2). The ashes are a remembrance of Jesus' past death which when combined with the living waters of Truth that he has given us, takes care of all future sins that might be committed when they are confessed and repented of by calling upon God in the name of Jesus Christ. 1 John 1:9: "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness"(NIV). The ashes and the living water are always there for us when we need them. The ashes were stored for all future needs. So the sacrifice of Christ is laid up for us as an inexhaustible fountain of merit to which we have daily access for the purging of our consciences (Heb. 9:13, 14; Zech. 13:1). This is the reason we see many purification rituals in Hinduism (India) are connected with Ashes. The burnt body of a human and its remaining ashes was to be dispersed in the river Ganges – this is assumed by Hindus as purification of soul. Always a Hindu Sage used to carry a Kamandal (a small laver) filled with ashes and whenever he came across good people, he sprinkles the ashes to bless them; whereas with bad people he used them to curse them. Even today, those who ceremonially cleanse themselves and enter into the temple apply on them the vibhoodhi (Holy Ash) resembling ashes. Sages used to accumulate the ashes burned during Homas and yjnaas (Sacrifices and offerings). These ashes were not be thrown, but sprinkled to purify. All these rituals are more or less copied and borrowed from Israel; the world never knows the symbolic meaning hidden behind these Old Testament rituals - but thank Jehovah for making known to us the Substance of the Shadows presented in the Old Testament! RESURRECTION IMPLICATIONS The red heifer was for the typical deliverance from death; Jesus’ sacrifice is for the Real deliverance from death. Jesus’ sacrifice is effective spiritually; something the red heifer ceremony could only anticipate. Because Jesus died to deliver us from death (Hebrews 2:14), and because his sacrifice is effective, this means we are currently delivered from death. We say cleanliness is next to Godliness, but without Christ nobody can get cleansed. The Hebrews draws on the imagery of the Old Law Covenant sacrifices: “Let us draw near to God with a true heart, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water” (Hebrews 10:22). The Old Law Covenant sacrifices were applied by the sprinkling of the blood, ashes and washing of the body; yet they could never cleanse the conscience, nor deliver from death (Hebrews 9:9; 10:1-4). The blood of Jesus, however, is applied to our hearts at the time when our bodies are “washed with pure water.” This is an unmistakable reference to baptism. In Romans 6:34, the writer says that those baptized into Christ join with his death, burial and resurrection; they are raised to walk in newness of life. The Resurrection life is for those who enter the power of His resurrection. The apostle affirms in Colossians 2:11-13 that in baptism the believer is “buried” with Christ and “raised up with him by faith in the operation of God.” He also says that at this juncture, “you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses.” Here is deliverance from death by the power of the sacrifice of Jesus.

The Red Heifer

8

Reasoning The Scriptures Further, the red heifer was offered alone. Christ was all alone. There is but one sin-bearer and He trod the winepress alone. He endured the contradiction (hostility) of sinners (those he came to save) against himself, alone (Heb. 12:3). And it is of interest here to note that the person who offered the red heifer himself became unclean. The only way he could be purified was by the ashes of that offering. So it is with those who crucified Christ. Man became guilty and defiled by sacrificing Christ. And it is by that very same sacrifice that the sin and guilt which crucified Him cleanses us. It is by virtue of the same blood which He shed on Calvary, that we are cleansed from our guilt through faith. The sacrifice of Christ pollutes the clean (those who suppose they are so) by their guilt in crucifying Him; and that same sacrifice cleanses those who are unclean. Christ went outside the camp of heaven and became the accursed of God for the fallen human race. In His being cursed, He redeemed us from the curse (Gal. 3:13). He was "made to be sin for us, that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him"(2 Cor. 5:21). The sacrifice of the red heifer was the cross in type. It was designed to create an influence in favor of the cross, even where there was no interest. It was the means to move the world. That sacrifice, accomplished outside the camp of Israel, was witnessed by heathen passers-by. The offering was itself a call to all who were unclean, helpless and perishing. It was an invitation to come for purification. It drew the attention of those outside the confines of the camp of Israel as well as Israel. It was the gospel declaration to "Look unto me and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth!" - Isa. 45:22 The crucified Christ draws everyone to Himself (John 12:32). Though a sinner resist from being drawn to Christ, he will be pulled to Him. One must willingly keep himself away or he will be led to the foot of the cross. More than this, he will have to tear himself away from the mighty drawing influence of the Holy Spirit. God has made it hard for the sinner to be lost. The red heifer, sacrificed outside the camp, was the gospel of Jesus Christ hanging upon the cross for the lost race. In the Levitical age it was the message, the doctrine, the argument and the warning to the impenitent. It was encouragement for the defiled and the sorrowing. It was the hope of every believer. It was designed to awaken an interest in the minds of men to cause them to fix their eyes on Christ. Christ crucified was typified in the sacrifice of the red heifer. And in this type there was no other like it, that was so characterized by clear, precise and terse expression of the far-reaching gospel of Christ crucified.

“He that hath my word let him speak my word faithfully. . .” - Jeremiah 23:28

The Red Heifer

9