God told the Israelite community how to purify themselves. The priest oversaw the slaughter of the heifer, then sprinkled the blood seven times (4), calling to mind sin offerings (Lev 4:5-7). The heifer was burned together with other red symbols (cedar, hyssop, scarlet wool) to emphasize the shedding of blood for forgiveness (Lev 17:11). The ashes would be used by the community to sanctify them so they may be outwardly clean. How much more will the blood of Jesus cleanse our consciences so we may serve the living God (Heb 9:13-14)!

Death, as a wage of sin (Ro 6:23), caused uncleanness (11-16), in terms of approaching the holy God. The whole community should help each other to be clean through observing a unique ceremony (17-22). A clean member would go outside the camp to get the ashes and prepare the water for sprinkling (17), and then "wash" their unclean neighbor. This ceremony calls to mind God's desire to make us clean, with a new heart (Ex 36:25-26). It reminds us of how Jesus commanded us to wash one another's feet (Jn 13:13-14). Such community life is counter-cultural. But as Jesus suffered outside the gate to make us holy, let's go to him, bearing this disgrace (Heb 13:12-14), looking forward to his reward.


Application: Father, thank you for the blood of Jesus that cleanses us. Help us cleanse one another so we may dwell with you.
One Word: Are you washed in the blood?