Thursday, March 18, 2010

The Ashes of the Red Heifer

In Numbers 19, God gives instructions to Moses about the ashes of the red heifer. Moses is told that the heifer must meet several specifications. First, it to be perfect in that there is no spot or blemish to be found in it. Second, it must not have more than two hairs of any color. Thirdly, it must not have ever had a yoke upon her neck.



Finally, the heifer was to be taken outside of the camp and slaughtered with a knife and its body burned to ashes before the high priest on cedar wood. It was then to be mixed with hyssop, scarlet, and running water to be stored in a stone pot for the purpose of purification; most importantly the purification of the temple, its implements, and priests.



The significance of the red heifer is important today as that before the third temple can be rebuilt as prophesied in Scripture and the priesthood restored, the ashes of the red heifer must be reestablished for the purification of the temple, its implements, and priests.



This is where some disagreement arises. The disagreement is as to whether simply raising another red heifer that meets the specifications is sufficient while others believe that the original ashes from the ninth red heifer from Moses must first be found and added to the new before it is acceptable.



This is exciting as that Jewish tradition teaches that upon the establishment of the tenth red heifer, the Messiah will come!

2 comments:

  1. If the crucifixion of Jesus put an End to sacrifice and offering, why would the Temple be rebuilt? If the Temple did get rebuilt, wouldn't it just be a further abomination of the Jewish rejection of Christ?

    Also, you said that the 70th week would be fulfilled between the rapture and the Second Coming. I guess my understanding of this passage is preventing me from seeing it. Can you show me how or where you see that here? Thanks, brother!

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  2. Hey Brian. I spoke with Grandma this morning and she mentioned that she got to visit with you guys the other day. That's awesome.

    I certainly do look forward to being able to speak with you on theological issues. Certainly, iron does indeed sharpen iron.

    The subject is so huge that we could start at any point and get lost in the rabbit trails. Let's try to focus on one thing at a time. Sound good?

    Let's start with Daniel's 70th Week. It's as good a place as any to start the discussion.

    The Bible says that from the time that Israel came into the Promised Land until the time that they were expelled was 490 years. The 70 years of captivity in Babylon were the result of them not allowing the land to rest on the Sabbath (490/7=70) (Jeremiah 25:1-9, 11-12; 29:10-11).

    Daniel goes to God in Daniel 9 and says, "Hey, you've told me about all of the Gentiles nations and your plans for them (another discussion), but what about us?" God's response was in essence that He was to give them another 490 years (9:24). During that time He would accomplish the six things mentioned. However, after 483 years, the plan was cut short because they "cut off the Messiah." As a result, we are in the Church Age or the Times of the Gentiles which will end with the Rapture of the Church, thus Daniel's 70th Week will begin and end when God brings in "everlasting righteousness", "sealed up vision and prophecy", and the Most Holy is annointed." At which point, Christ will bring in the Kingdom, which was rejected the first time.

    I'm also emailing you my notes on Daniel 9:24.

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I do appreciate any observations or questions you may have.

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