Jimmie
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Numbers 19:1-22: Our weekly study in the WORD! "Chukat" (ordinances)
There are several themes in this Bible study. Number one is the “Red Heifer.” This was for members of the community of Israel who had come into contact with the dead. We need to be reasonable since death was a common experience with Israel, as with all of us; it is part of life. Death is the twilight of our existence. If death is our twilight, then our “sunrise” will be in the “World of Come,” the “Eternal Heavenly Kingdom. If Yeshua is our Messiah and LORD and Savior, death is just a passage to eternal life with our King, Master, LORD, friend, husband, and Redeemer.
There were deaths every day, what with a congregation of between 2 and 3 million people. The dead had to be taken out of the tents and quickly buried. At death, the body starts to decompose, especially in a hot climate. Bacteria starts to form and can contaminate all who come into contact with said corpse. The "Red Heifer" would be the method of "cleansing" the person contaminated by the corpse. Now, the word "Chukat" comes from the root "Chok," which means a commandment or instruction that makes no sense to us, yet God orders it to be done.
The priest had to sacrifice and burn up completely a cow, converting it to ashes, including the dung, blood, and hide. With this sacrifice, there were very important ingredients to be mixed with the ashes: cedarwood, hyssop, and crimson. So, we now have cow ashes, cedar wood, hyssop, and crimson. These would be mixed with water, and this mixture would be applied to a person who had touched a dead person (for reasons of preparation and burial). After that, the person would be “tahor” (clean) and could re-enter the camp, since the person had to be outside for seven days. It is interesting to note that the priest applying the mixture would be considered “Tamei” (unclean) until the evening! How does this illustrate Yeshua HaMashiach? (Jesus our LORD and Savior)
We have the animal sacrifice, which always symbolizes our Messiah; then the cedarwood can symbolize the cross of Calvary; He was our sacrifice for sin and was nailed to a wooden cross. The hyssop reminds us of the first Passover, when lamb’s blood was applied on the doorposts of Israel’s Egyptian dwellings. Without the shedding of blood, there can be no remission of sin. The “crimson thread” reminds us of the blood, which was shed on the cross; His sinless blood was applied to our sins.
Remember that the blood of the cow was also burned into ashes. When the priest sprinkled the person with the ash-water mixture, the blood was within the ashes. We are reminded that when our Messiah died on the cross, when the Roman soldier pierced Yeshua's side with his spear, out poured "Blood and Water. Now here, there was something strange. The priest who sprinkled the ash-water mix onto the person became unclean until the evening, and the person who was unclean because of the corpse became clean! This was to be done on the 3rd day and on the 7th day.
The 3rd day reminds us of our Messiah who arose from the dead to life again, the 7th day is the Sabbath, a time of rest. So the person who had buried the corpse would be received once again into the congregation, full of "joy, life, and rest" after being "dead" (unclean) (in a way of speaking)
Just as the priest remained “unclean” until the evening, so our Messiah became “unclean” for those few hours on the cross, because He bore our sins, past, present, and future. Our “uncleanness” was exchanged for “cleanness” through Yeshua. That is how this "Red Cow" symbolized our Messiah.
Chapter 20 deals with the death of Miriam. A leader, some say, can only take so much until tempers explode. He (Moshe) has lost his beloved sister; the people are complaining “again” they want water, understandable; we all need water to live. Adonai understands and speaks to Moshe, “Take Aaron and your staff, go to “The” Rock and speak to it, and it shall bring forth water.” Seems like it was not just any rock; it was “THE” Rock. Oral tradition says that this rock followed the congregation wherever they went, and water flowed from “The Rock.” In his first letter to the Corinthians, Paul states, "For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ" (1 Corinthians 10:4). Was there a "Physical Rock that followed Israel? or did God select a huge Rock in the desert at each campground, from which water would flow? Interesting question.
Interestingly, the Hebrew word is not the usual word “Tzur” or “Aven” used for “Rock” or “stone”; the word “Selah” is used. This word means a “large stone or rock fortress or stronghold”. It also means a “rock that contains water. In Hebrew, within the word "Selah" which is spelled in Hebrew with three letters S+L+H the word "Mayim" (water) is found. .
In the area of Mt Sinai, in Saudi Arabia, one can see a “large strong, rugged Rock” with a crack down the middle of it. It seems like it is at least 50 feet tall. It is believed that “This” is “The Rock” (HaSelah). Moshe, however, in his anger, did NOT obey the voice of HaShem. Instead, he said to the people; ” Listen, you rebels, shall WE get water for you out of this rock?” and then struck the rock TWICE with his staff. Water still came out; God still had compassion for His people, YET…Moshe and Aaron were in deep trouble!
This moment of anger cost Moshe his entrance into the promised land. The ROCK, symbolized YESHUA, who is our SOLID ROCK, our FORTRESS! (Selah) who was struck only ONCE, for our sins. He died ONCE, was crucified ONCE! For ALL of our sins, past, present, and future. Moshe misrepresented YHVH; he said, “Are WE to get water for you…” The people saw “Moshe and Aaron,” so they probably thought, ‘Moshe and Aaron got water for us.’ Let’s hear it for Moshe and Aaron, nice going guys!” so they got the glory instead of Adonai. However, we know that Moshe DID enter the promised land, 1500 years later, at the Mt. of Transfiguration. He appeared with Eliyahu; Moshe represented the Torah, and Eliyahu HaNavi (The Prophets), and of course, Yeshua represented the New Covenant; all three symbolize the “Whole complete WORD of God” with nothing lacking!
Chapter 21 talks about the “fiery serpents” in the desert that were sent as punishment by God to bite the people who were “again” complaining. As soon as the people repented, God told Moshe to make a “bronze serpent” and place it on a pole and erect it so that ALL could see. In all places in scripture, the “serpent” symbolizes HaSatan, with exception of this ONE time, this time, the bronze or copper serpent symbolizes Yeshua, as he said in John; “As the serpent was lifted up in the desert, so the Son of Man will be lifted up” (John 3:14) He was both “lifted up” on the Cross of Calvary, and “lifted up” into the Heavenlies in his ascension.
The people repented (they realized their error) then they voiced their feelings, and God responded with forgiveness, providing the means (The bronze serpent on a pole)
It is interesting that the word for “fiery serpent” is “Nachash Seraph,” probably because, when biting a person, the bite burned like fire. The “Seraphim” are angels that are related to “fire”. The Torah tells us that YHVH sent “N’chashim” (serpents) to bite the people. But during this fierce judgment, the people repent and plead to Moshe, “Tell YHVH to take away the “Nachash!” (21:7) in the English, the word “serpent” is written in the plural “serpents” but NOT in the original Hebrew, in the Hebrew, the word is singular, “Serpent” this is interesting, why singular” were there not many snakes around biting the people? Yes, but the singular word and phrase, “intercede with YHVH that He remove the “serpent” from us.” This points us to the symbolism of “HaSatan,” who is “The Serpent,” the same that was in the Garden of Eden. The people repent and, in a way, are saying, “remove Satan from our midst”
This is what happened at Calvary, when our Messiah took upon himself all the “Bites of HaSatan, the “Nachash,” to heal us so that we might have eternal life. The image of the beast that caused death was also the source of life! Yeshua became death so that we might have life.
Interesting to note that probably not all the Congregation of Israel could visibly “see” the serpent, being the encampment perhaps 5 to 7 miles square due to the number of people and cattle, so even “looking in the direction “ of the serpent would have served the purpose of receiving healing from the snake bites (my thought). Today, our faith is our “healing” to receive salvation through trusting in Yeshua/Jesus who was “lifted up” and bore our sins. Even though we can not see our LORD and Savior physically, our faith is enough to heal us from the curse of sin.
Shalom
There are several themes in this Bible study. Number one is the “Red Heifer.” This was for members of the community of Israel who had come into contact with the dead. We need to be reasonable since death was a common experience with Israel, as with all of us; it is part of life. Death is the twilight of our existence. If death is our twilight, then our “sunrise” will be in the “World of Come,” the “Eternal Heavenly Kingdom. If Yeshua is our Messiah and LORD and Savior, death is just a passage to eternal life with our King, Master, LORD, friend, husband, and Redeemer.
There were deaths every day, what with a congregation of between 2 and 3 million people. The dead had to be taken out of the tents and quickly buried. At death, the body starts to decompose, especially in a hot climate. Bacteria starts to form and can contaminate all who come into contact with said corpse. The "Red Heifer" would be the method of "cleansing" the person contaminated by the corpse. Now, the word "Chukat" comes from the root "Chok," which means a commandment or instruction that makes no sense to us, yet God orders it to be done.
The priest had to sacrifice and burn up completely a cow, converting it to ashes, including the dung, blood, and hide. With this sacrifice, there were very important ingredients to be mixed with the ashes: cedarwood, hyssop, and crimson. So, we now have cow ashes, cedar wood, hyssop, and crimson. These would be mixed with water, and this mixture would be applied to a person who had touched a dead person (for reasons of preparation and burial). After that, the person would be “tahor” (clean) and could re-enter the camp, since the person had to be outside for seven days. It is interesting to note that the priest applying the mixture would be considered “Tamei” (unclean) until the evening! How does this illustrate Yeshua HaMashiach? (Jesus our LORD and Savior)
We have the animal sacrifice, which always symbolizes our Messiah; then the cedarwood can symbolize the cross of Calvary; He was our sacrifice for sin and was nailed to a wooden cross. The hyssop reminds us of the first Passover, when lamb’s blood was applied on the doorposts of Israel’s Egyptian dwellings. Without the shedding of blood, there can be no remission of sin. The “crimson thread” reminds us of the blood, which was shed on the cross; His sinless blood was applied to our sins.
Remember that the blood of the cow was also burned into ashes. When the priest sprinkled the person with the ash-water mixture, the blood was within the ashes. We are reminded that when our Messiah died on the cross, when the Roman soldier pierced Yeshua's side with his spear, out poured "Blood and Water. Now here, there was something strange. The priest who sprinkled the ash-water mix onto the person became unclean until the evening, and the person who was unclean because of the corpse became clean! This was to be done on the 3rd day and on the 7th day.
The 3rd day reminds us of our Messiah who arose from the dead to life again, the 7th day is the Sabbath, a time of rest. So the person who had buried the corpse would be received once again into the congregation, full of "joy, life, and rest" after being "dead" (unclean) (in a way of speaking)
Just as the priest remained “unclean” until the evening, so our Messiah became “unclean” for those few hours on the cross, because He bore our sins, past, present, and future. Our “uncleanness” was exchanged for “cleanness” through Yeshua. That is how this "Red Cow" symbolized our Messiah.
Chapter 20 deals with the death of Miriam. A leader, some say, can only take so much until tempers explode. He (Moshe) has lost his beloved sister; the people are complaining “again” they want water, understandable; we all need water to live. Adonai understands and speaks to Moshe, “Take Aaron and your staff, go to “The” Rock and speak to it, and it shall bring forth water.” Seems like it was not just any rock; it was “THE” Rock. Oral tradition says that this rock followed the congregation wherever they went, and water flowed from “The Rock.” In his first letter to the Corinthians, Paul states, "For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ" (1 Corinthians 10:4). Was there a "Physical Rock that followed Israel? or did God select a huge Rock in the desert at each campground, from which water would flow? Interesting question.
Interestingly, the Hebrew word is not the usual word “Tzur” or “Aven” used for “Rock” or “stone”; the word “Selah” is used. This word means a “large stone or rock fortress or stronghold”. It also means a “rock that contains water. In Hebrew, within the word "Selah" which is spelled in Hebrew with three letters S+L+H the word "Mayim" (water) is found. .
In the area of Mt Sinai, in Saudi Arabia, one can see a “large strong, rugged Rock” with a crack down the middle of it. It seems like it is at least 50 feet tall. It is believed that “This” is “The Rock” (HaSelah). Moshe, however, in his anger, did NOT obey the voice of HaShem. Instead, he said to the people; ” Listen, you rebels, shall WE get water for you out of this rock?” and then struck the rock TWICE with his staff. Water still came out; God still had compassion for His people, YET…Moshe and Aaron were in deep trouble!
This moment of anger cost Moshe his entrance into the promised land. The ROCK, symbolized YESHUA, who is our SOLID ROCK, our FORTRESS! (Selah) who was struck only ONCE, for our sins. He died ONCE, was crucified ONCE! For ALL of our sins, past, present, and future. Moshe misrepresented YHVH; he said, “Are WE to get water for you…” The people saw “Moshe and Aaron,” so they probably thought, ‘Moshe and Aaron got water for us.’ Let’s hear it for Moshe and Aaron, nice going guys!” so they got the glory instead of Adonai. However, we know that Moshe DID enter the promised land, 1500 years later, at the Mt. of Transfiguration. He appeared with Eliyahu; Moshe represented the Torah, and Eliyahu HaNavi (The Prophets), and of course, Yeshua represented the New Covenant; all three symbolize the “Whole complete WORD of God” with nothing lacking!
Chapter 21 talks about the “fiery serpents” in the desert that were sent as punishment by God to bite the people who were “again” complaining. As soon as the people repented, God told Moshe to make a “bronze serpent” and place it on a pole and erect it so that ALL could see. In all places in scripture, the “serpent” symbolizes HaSatan, with exception of this ONE time, this time, the bronze or copper serpent symbolizes Yeshua, as he said in John; “As the serpent was lifted up in the desert, so the Son of Man will be lifted up” (John 3:14) He was both “lifted up” on the Cross of Calvary, and “lifted up” into the Heavenlies in his ascension.
The people repented (they realized their error) then they voiced their feelings, and God responded with forgiveness, providing the means (The bronze serpent on a pole)
It is interesting that the word for “fiery serpent” is “Nachash Seraph,” probably because, when biting a person, the bite burned like fire. The “Seraphim” are angels that are related to “fire”. The Torah tells us that YHVH sent “N’chashim” (serpents) to bite the people. But during this fierce judgment, the people repent and plead to Moshe, “Tell YHVH to take away the “Nachash!” (21:7) in the English, the word “serpent” is written in the plural “serpents” but NOT in the original Hebrew, in the Hebrew, the word is singular, “Serpent” this is interesting, why singular” were there not many snakes around biting the people? Yes, but the singular word and phrase, “intercede with YHVH that He remove the “serpent” from us.” This points us to the symbolism of “HaSatan,” who is “The Serpent,” the same that was in the Garden of Eden. The people repent and, in a way, are saying, “remove Satan from our midst”
This is what happened at Calvary, when our Messiah took upon himself all the “Bites of HaSatan, the “Nachash,” to heal us so that we might have eternal life. The image of the beast that caused death was also the source of life! Yeshua became death so that we might have life.
Interesting to note that probably not all the Congregation of Israel could visibly “see” the serpent, being the encampment perhaps 5 to 7 miles square due to the number of people and cattle, so even “looking in the direction “ of the serpent would have served the purpose of receiving healing from the snake bites (my thought). Today, our faith is our “healing” to receive salvation through trusting in Yeshua/Jesus who was “lifted up” and bore our sins. Even though we can not see our LORD and Savior physically, our faith is enough to heal us from the curse of sin.
Shalom
