Bible Pathways 02/21/05
February 21
Read Numbers 19 - 20
In Today's Reading:
Red heifer sacrifice; Miriam's death; Moses sins by striking the rock; Edom refuses Israel passage; Aaron's death
The red heifer sacrifice was instituted in the wilderness of Paran at a time when all Israel was under the sentence of death. The Law required that whosoever touches the dead body of any man that is dead, and purifies not himself, defiles the Tabernacle of the LORD (Numbers 19:13).
The blood of the red heifer was burned with the carcass, and then its ashes were mixed with running water (19:5,17) and sprinkled upon the defiled ones in order to restore them to the holy God (19:18-19). The Hebrew word for "running" also means "living" - implying not only cleansing from sin but renewal of life. The water of purification was made from the ashes of just one heifer, which was sufficient for all the people.
Through the red heifer ordinance, God gave a new revelation of the importance of cleansing from defilement - whether it be through our thoughts, our conversations, the books we read, our associations with unbelievers, or whatever we may do that defiles our minds or bodies. God has said: Be . . . holy: for I am holy (I Peter 1:16).
The red heifer sacrifice is symbolic of Christ who cleanses us from all sin (I John 1:7). Through His death on the cross, He has given to us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these you might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust (II Peter 1:4). The plan of God is that Christ's own life be reproduced in Christians.
Exercising humility is a means of overcoming pride, jealousy, greed, and envy (see Colossians 3:12). Some assume we should pray for humility; but the real need is to pray that Christ be magnified in our lives. God does not give humility or patience or love as separate gifts of His grace. The indwelling Christ is the answer to every need. As we pray for Him to live out His life in us, we will express humility, patience, love, and everything else that reveals His character. Paul said: I am crucified with Christ; nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ lives in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me (Galatians 2:20).
Word Studies:
19:6 hyssop = a bushy plant used for cleaning; 20:3 chode = argued; 20:12 sanctify Me = uphold Me in reverential honor; 20:13 strove = contended; 20:14 travail = hardship; 20:15 vexed = afflicted; dealt harshly.
Christ Revealed:
Through the rock that Moses struck (Numbers 20:8-11; see Exodus 17:6). Christ, our Rock, who was struck once through His death on the cross, does not need to be struck again. Jesus was smitten for our sins (see Matt. 26:67; 27:30; Mark 15:19; Luke 22:63; John 19:3. That spiritual Rock that followed (accompanied) them . . . was Christ (I Corin. 10:4). For in that He died, He died to sin once (Rom. 6:10).
Prayer Needs:
Pray for BP Staff: Allen Joslyn · Government Officials: Rep. John Lewis (GA), Rep. John Shimkus (IL), and Sen. Olympia Snowe (ME) · Country: Mexico (100 million) in North America · Major language: Spanish · Religious freedom · 88% Roman Catholic; 4% Protestant; .1% Eastern Orthodox · Prayer Suggestion: Give thanks to the God of heaven; His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever (Psalm 136:26).
Optional Reading: Luke 8
Memory Verse for the Week: Ephesians 5:11
