Does the Bible have anything to say about cleansing? If so, what can we learn from the Bible? Are any of the Bible’s teachings applicable in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic? We will explore answers to these questions in this post by looking at Numbers chapter 19 in the Bible.

For those who are new to Bible, it is a collection of books and “Numbers” is the title of one of these books. In the Bible, each book consists of one or more chapters, and each chapter has numbered sections called verses. So, the notation “Numbers 19:8” refers to the book of Numbers in the Bible, the 19^th chapter, and the 8^th verse.

Two Meanings

Numbers chapter 19 has two meanings—literal and symbolic. By this means of two or more meanings of verses or passages (two or more consecutive verses), God teaches many things in the Bible that is hidden in plain sight from the superficial reader.

The multiplicity of meanings in the Bible necessitates a diligent study of its contents in order to unpack what God has to say to humanity. Of note, however, is that the Bible cannot be correctly understood and applied without God’s help.

The Literal Meaning

Numbers chapter 19 records the words God spoke to Moses, the man whom God used to deliver ancient Israel from slavery in Egypt, and to Aaron, his brother and the high priest of Israel.

Here, in its literal meaning, God gave commandments regarding the ceremony of the red heifer, which is a young cow that has never given birth to a calf.

God’s Law Concerning a Red Heifer (Cow)

“And the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying, this is the ordinance of the law which the LORD hath commanded, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel, that they bring thee a red heifer (cow) without spot, wherein is no blemish, and upon which never came yoke.” Numbers 19:1, 2.

“And ye shall give her unto Eleazar the priest, that he may bring her forth without the camp, and one shall slay her before his face:  And Eleazar the priest shall take of her blood with his finger, and sprinkle of her blood directly before the tabernacle of the congregation seven times.” Numbers 19:3, 4.

“And one shall burn the heifer in his sight; her skin, and her flesh, and her blood, with her dung [excrement], shall he burn:  And the priest shall take cedar wood, and hyssop, and scarlet, and cast it into the midst of the burning of the heifer.” Numbers 19:5, 6.

“And a man that is clean shall gather up the ashes of the heifer, and lay them up without the camp in a clean place, and it shall be kept for the congregation of the children of Israel for a water of separation: it is a purification for sin.” Numbers 19:9.

God’s Law Concerning the Cleansing of Those Performing the Ceremony

“Then the priest shall wash his clothes, and he shall bathe his flesh in water, and afterward he shall come into the camp, and the priest shall be unclean until the even [evening].” Numbers 19:7.

“And he that burneth her shall wash his clothes in water, and bathe his flesh in water, and shall be unclean until the even [evening].” Numbers 19:8.

“And he that gathereth the ashes of the heifer shall wash his clothes, and be unclean until the even [evening]: and it shall be unto the children of Israel, and unto the stranger that sojourneth [lodges] among them, for a statute for ever.” Numbers 19:10.

God’s Law Concerning a Dead Body

“He that toucheth the dead body of any man shall be unclean seven days. He shall purify himself with it on the third day, and on the seventh day he shall be clean: but if he purify not himself the third day, then the seventh day he shall not be clean.” Numbers 19:11, 12.

“Whosoever toucheth the dead body of any man that is dead, and purifieth not himself, defileth the tabernacle of the LORD; and that soul shall be cut off from Israel: because the water of separation was not sprinkled upon him, he shall be unclean; his uncleanness is yet upon him.” Numbers 19:13.

“This is the law, when a man dieth in a tent: all that come into the tent, and all that is in the tent, shall be unclean seven days. And every open vessel, which hath no covering bound upon it, is unclean.” Numbers 19:14, 15.

“And whosoever toucheth one that is slain with a sword in the open fields, or a dead body, or a bone of a man, or a grave, shall be unclean seven days.” Numbers 19:16.

God’s Law Concerning the Cleansing of Those Who had Contact With a Dead Body

“And for an unclean person they shall take of the ashes of the burnt heifer (cow) of purification for sin, and running water shall be put thereto in a vessel: And a clean person shall take hyssop, and dip it in the water, and sprinkle it upon the tent, and upon all the vessels, and upon the persons that were there, and upon him that touched a bone, or one slain, or one dead, or a grave.” Numbers 19:17, 18.

“And the clean person shall sprinkle upon the unclean on the third day, and on the seventh day: and on the seventh day he shall purify himself, and wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and shall be clean at even.” Numbers 19:19.

“But the man that shall be unclean, and shall not purify himself, that soul shall be cut off from among the congregation, because he hath defiled the sanctuary of the LORD: the water of separation hath not been sprinkled upon him; he is unclean.” Numbers 19:20.

“And it shall be a perpetual statute unto them, that he that sprinkleth the water of separation shall wash his clothes; and he that toucheth the water of separation shall be unclean until even. And whatsoever the unclean person toucheth shall be unclean; and the soul that toucheth it shall be unclean until even [evening].” Numbers 19:21, 22.

Health Principles Taught by God

God teaches health principles regarding the cleansing of those performing the ceremony of the red heifer (cow). That is, the cleansing of those who have come in contact with a dead animal or its remains, and also items that have become contaminated.

Every one of these persons or items are to be considered unclean. Therefore, these persons need to sanitise themselves by washing their clothes and bathing their flesh in water, and the items also need to be sanitised.

Now God says, “Thou wash thee with nitre, and take thee much soap.” Jeremiah 2:22. Nitre is sodium carbonate, which when mixed with oil was used as soap for bathing in ancient Israel. In addition, nitre, also known as “fullers’ [launderers’] soap” (Malachi 3:2) was used for washing clothes. So, sanitisation involved washing with soap and water.

According to God’s law, there is a period of time when persons are possibly infectious. Thus, God says, “He [that] is unclean: he shall dwell alone.” Leviticus 13:46. In other words, the person is to be in quarantine for a specified period of time.

Likewise, these health principles apply to those who have come in contact with a dead person or their remains.

As it relates to health principles, the sprinkling represents the need to apply a remedy, that is, to give medication, to those in quarantine if they are sick.

This is what we can learn from the literal meaning of Numbers chapter 19. We see then that thousands of years before humanity had any understanding of germs and viruses, God gave health principles which if followed would prevent the spreading of disease.

So, the health principles being used today in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic are not new. They were given by God Himself.

The Symbolic Meaning

The key to understanding the symbolism of Numbers chapter 19 is given in these words of Christ, “Moses…wrote of me.” John 5:46.

What did Moses write? He wrote the first five books of the Bible, namely, the books of Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. These five books are collectively known as the Pentateuch.

So, Christ is saying that the underlying message, the symbolism, the hidden meaning, of these five books is all about Him, Christ. In effect then, the Pentateuch is a teaching tool devised by God to teach about Christ.

A Brief Look at Chronology

In setting out to understand the Bible, it is helpful to locate the Bible’s writings, its teachings, its events, in their place in time. That is, it is helpful to understand the Bible’s chronology.

Now the year 2020 is also spoken of as the year 2020 A.D. What does A.D. mean? A.D. is an abbreviation of the Latin phrase Anno Domini which means “in the year of our Lord.” So, 1 A.D. was meant to be the year when Christ was born in human flesh as a baby boy named “Jesus.” Matthew 1:21.

Therefore, 2020 A.D. means this is the 2020^th year since the birth of Jesus Christ in 1 A.D. The years before Jesus Christ was born are referred to as B.C. meaning “before Christ.” Thus, 53 B.C. means 53 years before Christ was born. It turns out that after the year 1 A.D. was specified, it was discovered that Christ was actually born about 5 B.C.

Now coming back to Christ’s statement that Moses wrote of Him, Moses wrote the Pentateuch over the period from about 1485 B.C. to 1405 B.C. In it, Moses prophesied about Christ, for Christ later lived on earth from about 5 B.C. to 31 A.D.

We have now anchored Moses’ writings and Christ’s life in time. In addition, it will be helpful in unpacking the symbolism of Numbers chapter 19 to get an overview of Christ as He is revealed in the Bible.

A Brief Look at Understanding the Bible

First of all, any attempt to understand the Bible, even on a first reading, will fail without our asking God for His help to correctly interpret the Bible.

The reason for this is that the Bible is “the word of God…[and] not…the word of men.” 1 Thessalonians 2:13. In other words, it is not a human production but a product of the infinite mind of God.

Therefore, in seeking to understand the Bible, it is “the [Holy] Spirit of truth…he [who] will guide you into all truth.” John 16:13. What is the truth? It is that “God is love” (1 John 4:8) and so God has a law of love by which He rules the universe.

Thus, the Bible in its entirety is an expression by God of what is, and what is not, in accordance with God’s law of love that humanity may learn what is acceptable to God.

Now God says, “Ye have not, because ye ask not.” James 4:2. So, we must ask God for His help in this undertaking to understand the Bible. We may ask God, that is, pray to God, saying, “Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law [of love].” Psalm 119:18.

The individual who prays such a prayer in sincerity will receive the blessing of God. They will receive all the help from God that they need.

Why God Gave the Bible to Humanity

The Bible is intended to teach truths which humanity, in their natural condition, are unaware of and to which they are opposed. God desires that these truths, when accepted by the individual, will turn them from the error of their ways to God’s ways of holiness. That is, that the individual will give God permission to work in their life to transform them from sin to holiness.

When such a transformation is successful, the person will be saved from eternal death by God and instead will receive eternal life from God. It is impossible for what is, in essence, a change of heart in the person, to occur without God’s help.

A Brief Look at Christ: His Importance to Humanity

Now that we see how to approach an attempt to understand the Bible, we will look at key points to grasp about Jesus Christ.

The importance of Christ to humanity comes against the backdrop of the situation between God and every human being. Speaking of Himself, God says, “The LORD [God] hath a controversy with the nations [with humanity], he will plead with all flesh [all human beings]; he will give them that are wicked to the sword [to eternal death], saith the LORD [God].” Jeremiah 25:31.

“For the wages of sin is [eternal] death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:23.

That is, every human being, every person, needs to be saved from eternal death if they are to instead have eternal life. How then can a person receive what the Bible calls “the gift of God” (Romans 6:23)? The answer is to be found in Christ.

A Brief Look at Christ: His Work for Humanity

He, Christ, lived on earth, died, was buried, rose to life again, that is, He was resurrected, and ascended to heaven where He is until this day.

Now humanity’s destiny with eternal death revolves around their past, present, and future sins.

Through Christ’s death for “the sins of the whole world” (1 John 2:2), God is willing to forgive past sins on two conditions. These two requirements are (1) if the person turns away from all their sin in their heart, which is to say, if they repent, and (2) if they believe, if they have faith, in Christ as their only hope of gaining eternal life.

Praise God for the death of Christ exhausted the penalty of eternal death for sin for all mankind! Furthermore, God will take care of the person’s present and future sins by causing them, if they give God permission, to cease from sinning.

How is this achieved? As an individual, we will sin no more “because the love of God is shed abroad [poured] in our hearts by the Holy Ghost [Holy Spirit] which is given unto us.” Romans 5:5.

This is a supernatural act which only God can do, and whereby the love that is in Christ’s heart is given as a gift to the individual. This gift was received and will be received by every human being who is saved by God.

Christ and Human History

To be clear, God’s “gift of righteousness” (Romans 5:17) applies to all humanity, to all those who have ever lived. Starting with those persons who lived before Christ died and was resurrected, and including those persons who have lived and will live after His resurrection. Thus, God’s gift will be available all the days of humanity’s probation, which are the days of their opportunity to be saved.

When Christ returns, humanity’s probation, will close and the world as we now know it will come to an end. God will then complete His judgment of every human being who has ever lived and so bring an end to His controversy with humanity.

The Symbolism of the Ceremony of the Red Heifer (Cow)

The ceremony of the red heifer (cow) is a part of the ceremonial laws given in the Pentateuch, which consists of the first five books of the Bible. All the ceremonial laws teach about Christ and the gospel which is God’s plan to save all humanity from eternal death.

So, in unpacking the symbolism of Numbers chapter 19, we will be looking for God’s teachings, His revelations, about Christ and the gospel.

The Selection of the Red Heifer (Cow)

God said, “This is the ordinance of the law which the LORD [God] hath commanded, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel, that they bring thee a red heifer (cow) without spot, wherein is no blemish, and upon which never came yoke.” Numbers 19:2.

The heifer was red which was a rare colour among cows. So, Christ is “the chiefest among ten thousand.” Song of Solomon 5:10. In other words, Christ is unique among the billions of people who have ever lived or will ever live.

Furthermore, the red colour of heifer pointed to Christ who was “red in…[His] apparel” (Isaiah 63:2) symbolising His blood-stained garments when He was tortured and murdered by crucifixion, where His hands and feet were nailed to a cross, a t-shaped wooden structure.

Also, Christ when He comes to the earth the second time to separate the saved people from the lost people, “he…[is] clothed with a vesture [garment] dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.” Revelation 19:13.

The heifer (cow) was to be without spot or blemish and this represents the fact that all humanity was “redeemed [bought back]…with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.” 1 Peter 1:18, 19.

Lastly, the heifer was never to have been yoked, symbolising that Christ, “he…by himself purged our [humanity’s] sins.” Hebrews 1:3. This work Christ did alone. Neither was Christ forced into this service for God. For when the Father asked, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” (Isaiah 6:8), Christ volunteered saying, “Here am I; send me.” Isaiah 6:8.

The Killing of the Red Heifer (Cow)

God said, “And ye shall give her [the red heifer] unto Eleazar the priest, that he may bring her forth without the camp, and one shall slay [kill] her before his face.” Numbers 19:3.

Here Eleazar, the priest, represents the Father and the red heifer represents Christ. “For God [the Father] sent not his Son [Christ] into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him [Christ] might be saved.” John 3:17.

The heifer was killed and, likewise, Christ was not to die by His own hands or from natural causes. It happened, therefore, that “Him [Christ], being delivered by the determinate [specific] counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye [the Jews] have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain [killed].” Acts 2:23.

The heifer was killed outside of the camp. Similarly, “Jesus [Christ]…that he might sanctify the people [make humanity holy] with his own blood, suffered without [outside] the gate” (Hebrews 13:12) of the city of Jerusalem.

The Blood of the Red Heifer (Cow)

“And Eleazar the priest shall take of her blood with his finger, and sprinkle of her blood directly before the tabernacle of the congregation [the earthly sanctuary] seven times.” Numbers 19:4.

This act of Eleazar testified that a time would come when Christ “neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood…entered in once into the holy place [of the heavenly sanctuary], having obtained eternal redemption for us” (Hebrews 9:12), for all humanity.

Furthermore, all mankind are such as “having…boldness to enter into the holiest [the Most Holy Place of the heavenly sanctuary] by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us [all humanity], through the veil, that is to say, his flesh.” Hebrews 10:19, 20.

Therefore, because of Christ every human being can enter into God’s presence instead of “being alienated from…God.” Ephesians 4:18.

The Burning of the Red Heifer (Cow)

“And one shall burn the heifer in his [Eleazar’s] sight; her skin, and her flesh, and her blood, with her dung [excrement], shall he burn.” Numbers 19:5.

“And the priest shall take cedar wood, and hyssop, and scarlet, and cast it into the midst of the burning of the heifer.” Numbers 19:6.

The heifer was burned in Eleazar’s sight representing the Father who “hath put him [Christ] to grief.” Isaiah 53:10. The burning fire represented the extreme “sufferings of Christ” (1 Peter 1:11) “because he…poured out his soul unto death.” Isaiah 53:12.

Of note, cedar wood, hyssop, and scarlet cloth were cast into the burning fire.

Cedar wood being resistant to decay well represented Christ “who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners.” Hebrews 7:26. In His life on earth, Christ was separate from the pollution and corruption of sin.

The hyssop plant was representative of the “healing medicines” (Jeremiah 30:13) which God provided for the sin-sick souls of humanity through the “sufferings of Christ.” 1 Peter 1:11.

The scarlet cloth was a symbol of “the blood of Jesus Christ.” 1 John 1:7.

All three items cast into the fire symbolised “the fiery trial” (1 Peter 4:12) of Christ. It was a prophecy that “every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try [test] every man’s work of what sort it is.” 1 Corinthians 3:13.

And what did this fiery trial of Christ reveal? “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13) for Christ laid down His life for every human being.

The Ashes of the Red Heifer (Cow)

“And a man that is clean shall gather up the ashes of the heifer, and lay them up without the camp in a clean place, and it shall be kept for the congregation of the children of Israel for a water of separation: it is a purification for sin.” Numbers 19:9.

The ashes of the heifer were a symbol of what Christ would accomplish for the saving, the salvation, of humanity from eternal death. For “though he were a Son [to God, the Father], yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; and being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him.” Hebrews 5:8, 9.

The Symbolism of the Cleansing of Those Performing the Ceremony

“Then the priest shall wash his clothes, and he shall bathe his flesh in water, and afterward he shall come into the camp, and the priest shall be unclean until the even. And he that burneth her shall wash his clothes in water, and bathe his flesh in water, and shall be unclean until the even.” Numbers 19:7, 8.

“And he that gathereth the ashes of the heifer shall wash his clothes, and be unclean until the even: and it shall be unto the children of Israel, and unto the stranger that sojourneth among them, for a statute for ever.” Numbers 19:10.

Symbolically, the ceremony rendered the participants unclean by coming in contact with sin. For God says, “Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.” 1 Corinthians 15:33. That is, association with sinful people will corrupt one’s morals.

Therefore, the washing of the clothes and the bathing of the body with water symbolised “the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; which he [God the Father] shed on us [humanity] abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour.” Titus 3:5, 6. This is what is effective in cleansing the individual from sin.

The Symbolism of God’s Law Concerning a Dead Body

“And whosoever toucheth one that is slain with a sword in the open fields, or a dead body, or a bone of a man, or a grave, shall be unclean seven days.” Numbers 19:16.

“And every open vessel, which hath no covering bound upon it, is unclean.” Numbers 19:15.

“Whosoever toucheth the dead body of any man that is dead, and purifieth not himself, defileth the tabernacle of the LORD; and that soul shall be cut off from Israel: because the water of separation was not sprinkled upon him, he shall be unclean; his uncleanness is yet upon him.” Numbers 19:13.

The Application of the Law

This law addressed every human being who in their natural condition are “dead in trespasses and sins.” Ephesians 2:1. The open vessel without covering represented the individual of whom it could not be said their “sin is covered” (Psalm 32:1), forgiven by God.

All such persons were unclean in the eyes of God for they were not cleansed from their sin.

The Significance of the Sprinkling

“The water of separation” (Numbers 19:20) represented the blood of Christ and “the blood of Jesus Christ…cleanseth us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7. This is a reference to the salvation of humanity accomplished by Christ.

The sprinkling the person then with “the water of separation” (Numbers 19:20) is an indication that the person believes in, and desires, God’s blessing in cleansing them from their sin. This cleansing from sin means that the individual ceases to sin and instead does only good.

Those who refuse to be sprinkled are not cleansed from their sin. They will be cut off from the people who have been cleansed by God and who will receive eternal life from God. Those cut off will receive eternal death from God.

The Symbolism of God’s Law of Cleansing Regarding Contact With a Dead Body

“And the clean person shall sprinkle upon the unclean on the third day, and on the seventh day: and on the seventh day he shall purify himself, and wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and shall be clean at even [evening].” Numbers 19:19.

Here Numbers 19:19 is a new element of symbolism in God’s law of cleansing regarding contact with a dead body.

In this symbol Christ is the “clean person” (Numbers 19:19) and humanity are the “unclean” (Numbers 19:19) people.

What is the significance of “the third day” Numbers 19:19? Christ, “he was buried, and that he rose again [to life] the third day.” 1 Corinthians 15:4. So, again this is a reference to Christ’s accomplished work for humanity. Christ’s death was followed by His rising to life again, His resurrection, and the resurrection testified to Christ’s success in His mission to save mankind from eternal death.

In this symbolism, what is the significance of “the seventh day” Numbers 19:19? The seventh day represents the endpoint of a person’s life, whether they have purified themselves from sin or not. Those cleansed receive eternal life from God while those who are not cleansed receive eternal death.

The seventh day also represents the time when those persons who have availed themselves of God’s provisions for their cleansing from all sin receive the finishing touch from God. This occurs on the day Christ returns to the earth when all who have been cleansed “shall be changed.” 1 Corinthians 15:52.

That is, Christ “shall change…[their] vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body.” Philippians 3:21. It can then be said of such people “he [God] hath glorified thee.” Isaiah 55:5. They have been fitted up for eternal life by God.

Conclusion

We have looked at Number chapter 19 in the Bible where we explore its literal and symbolic meanings.

We have seen that, in the literal meaning, God teaches health principles to humanity which are applicable in this time of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Symbolically, Numbers chapter 19 teaches us about Christ and the salvation, the saving from eternal death, which Christ accomplished for humanity.

So, a ceremonial law that God specified in the Bible in Numbers chapter 19 is seen to have health implications and to teach generations of humanity about Christ.

How This Blog Teaches Bible Study

My blog posts take one or more Bible verses and unpack what is often the hidden meaning in them, to help you to gain in your understanding of the Bible, and to receive insights into how to study it. For God says, “Study [the Bible] to shew [show] thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing [interpreting] the word of truth [the Bible].” 2 Timothy 2:15. There are new blog posts every two weeks on a Monday at 12:01 a.m. in timezone UTC-5 (GMT-5).

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