In Numbers 19 gives greater detail about how a person who is unclean becomes clean. I am amazed at how much death, sacrifice, and blood are apart of cleansing. Eleazar, a priest and Aaron’s son, was to watch the killing and burned of an unblemished red heifer outside the camp. Cedar wood was added to the burning heifer and the ash was collected in a clean spot outside. This ash was mixed with water and an unclean person would wash themselves with the water to become clean. It sounds a little savage to wash yourself with water containing ash from a burnt heifer. It makes sense to me because in Hebrews 9:22 states, “And according to the Law, one may almost say, all things are cleansed with blood, and with out the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.” Through out my reading through the Bible it is evident that sacrifice and blood are a major component in seeking forgiveness from God. I am no different in my life today. I have placed my trust in Jesus Christ as my only hope for forgiveness from my sins and His shed blood is the blood that covers me and declares that I am clean. I Peter 1:2 says it best, “according to the the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with His blood: May grace and peace be yours in the fullest measure.” Grace and peace are mine because of what Jesus Christ did for me when he died on the cross.
The chapter 20 tells how the people of Israel grumble again because there is no water to drink. Moses and Aaron go before God where He instructs them to assemble the people and before them Moses was to talk to the rock and water would come forth from the stone. However Moses instead struck the rock with the rod that was in his hand. Moses and Aaron disobeyed God by showing their unbelief. With this unbelief Moses and Aaron were not allowed to bring the people into the promised land. Does my unbelief hinder me? I wonder what ways I have showed a lack of faith and belief before God and I miss out on blessing that God wanted to give me. I know that God’s love for me is not dependent upon anything i do because He loved me in my sinful state long before I was ever born. Lord, please grant me the faith to trust and believe you when it seems like the way seems impossible.
Chapter 20 ends with a changing of the high priest. God tells Moses and Aaron that Aaron would soon die. How would that make you feel if God tells you that you are going to die and be gathered with your people. Moses, Aaron, and Eleazar walked up Mount Hor where the garments of the high priest were taken off Aaron and placed upon Eleazar. Was this a tearful moment at the parting of a family member and friend? The end of the chapter tells about how the people of Israel upon realizing that Aaron was dead mourned and wept for 30 days. This story of the death of Aaron should bring hope to believers today. Hebrews 7:23 says, “The former priest, on the the one hand, existed in greater numbers because they were prevented by death from continuing.” Aaron and every one of his descendants was going to die and that was a fact. When Jesus Christ came he was of a new order of priest not descended from the Levitical line of priests. He died once for all upon the cross. He was not hindered by death from continuing as the High Priest. Jesus Christ is the one true way that we can find hope for our future because He leads the way overcoming death for us.
Today I was studying Hebrews chapter 9 and I was amazed at how everything that I am reading in my Bible studies is being linked together. It is great to see how scripture from the Old Testament is used in the New Testament.