Numbers 19:2-4 (NKJV): This is the ordinance of the law which the Lord has commanded, saying: 'Speak to the children of Israel, that they bring you a red heifer without blemish, in which there is no defect and on which a yoke has never come. You shall give it to Eleazar the priest, that he may take it outside the camp, and it shall be slaughtered before him; And Eleazar the priest would take some of its blood with his finger, and sprinkle some of its blood seven times directly in front of the tabernacle of meeting'.
The above is a 'picture' of Jesus Christ in all His beauty and holiness, the One without blemish, in Him there's no defect, and on Him there's no yoke. Yet, in all His beauty and holiness, He was also slain (slaughtered) for the sins of mankind. His blood would then be sprinkled seven times. This speaks of 'the perfection of His work on the cross'.
Note: The number '7' in Hebrew numeric means 'perfection, purification, consecration, or sovereignty'.
One may also wonder why this ordinance (i.e. law to be followed) in Numbers 19 was given to Moses and Aaron in the Book of Numbers, and not in the Book of Leviticus (a book pertaining to the Levites, and in particular, the priests). The answer is found when you study the background of the Book of Numbers. This book narrates 'the journey of the Israelites in the wilderness on their way to the Promised Land'. So, this ordinance in Numbers 19 actually applies to 'you and me as sojourners in our journey on this earth'. In other words, it applies to the believers in the New Covenant.
However, note also that in the New Covenant, you look at the Law in the Old Covenant not to see the Law, but to see Christ who has fully satisfied and fulfilled the Law (Matthew 5:17).
Numbers 19:5-6 (NKJV) then says, 'Then the heifer shall be burned in his (the priest's) sight: its hide, its flesh, its blood, and its offal shall (all) be burned. And the priest shall take cedar wood and hyssop and scarlet (wool), and cast them into the midst of the fire burning the heifer'.
Today, Jesus has become both your burnt offering and sin offering, and it has already happened when He died for you on the cross some 2,000 years ago. He has also indeed carried all your sins, 'filth', and curse together with Him when He died for you (2 Corinthians 5:21, Galatians 3:13).
'Cedar wood' (a kind of big and magnificent evergreen tree used as timber) here speaks of 'the greatness of Jesus',
'Hyssop' (a kind of small, flexible vegetation) speaks of 'the humility of Jesus'.
The 'scarlet (wool)' then speaks of 'the blood of Jesus that washes and carries your sins', till you are as white as snow (see also Isaiah 1:18).
In short, He has given Himself wholly and completely on the cross, so that you have the forgiveness of sins and redemption through His blood (Ephesians 1:7). It was a complete and perfect work.
And Numbers 19 says all the above were burned till they become ashes.
Now, what does 'ashes' actually mean here? 'Ashes' marks the end of a burning. It is the finest that the fire can burn something into. In other words, you can't burn 'ashes' any further. It is the result of the completed work of burning with fire. This speaks of the perfect, completed, and finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross.
Numbers 19:17-18 (NKJV) then says, 'And for an unclean person they shall take some of the ashes of the heifer burnt for purification from sin, and running water shall be put on them in a vessel. A clean person shall take hyssop and dip it in the water, sprinkle it on the tent, on all the vessels, or on the one who touched a bone, the slain, the dead, or a grave'.
The nature of water is such that it brings cleansing and refreshing. It also has purifying effect to one's body. Now, the same is also true with the Word of God to one's life!
Ephesians 5:26-27 (NKJV) says, 'that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the Word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish'.
So, 'running water' here speaks of 'the washing of water by the Word'.
What does 'water with ashes' mean then? This speaks of 'the preaching of the Word that is full of the revelation of Jesus on the cross'. And as it is being sprinkled using hyssop (see James 3:5 - 'hyssop' here speaks of the 'tongue' as well) on all the vessels, the 'unclean' shall be made 'clean'. This speaks of 'sanctification' for a believer in the New Covenant through the preaching/teaching of the Word by the 'elders' (i.e. those who teaches the Word and those who are involved in the lives of the people) in the Body of Christ.
Of course, just because someone teaches the Bible, it doesn't mean that person is teaching 'water with ashes'. So, choose to listen to preaching/teaching of the Word that is full of the revelation of Jesus on the cross. As someone puts it aptly, "Choose Calvary, not culture; choose faith in the blood of Jesus, not faith in works; and choose grace, not works."
2 Timothy 2:20-21 (NKJV) says, 'But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel of honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work'.
Notice the word 'vessel' here? Let Scripture interpret Scripture (Numbers 19:17-18 and 2 Timothy 2:20-21). This 'vessel' here speaks of you, the believer.
The word 'sanctified' here in Greek is 'hagiazo', which means 'separated, consecrated', i.e. 'to be set apart from dirt to cleanliness'.
Therefore, the more one is being washed by 'the washing of water by the Word' (i.e. sitting under the preaching/teaching of the Word that is full of the revelation of Jesus on the cross), the more one is being cleansed as well, i.e. being separated from confusion to peace, from sicknesses to health, and of course from 'dirt' to 'cleanliness'! Such is the power of 'water'!
Note: In New Covenant ministry, the effect is in the 'hearing' of the Word being preached (Romans 10:17), while in the Old Covenant ministry, the effect is in the 'doing' of the Laws and Ordinances. That's how important hearing is for a believer in the New Covenant. That's why upon the outpouring of the Holy Spirit when the disciples were filled with the Holy Spirit (in Acts 2), the first thing that happened on that day (marking the beginning of the church age) was Peter preaching the Word and the people hearing it! (Acts 2:14-41)
In conclusion, as you keep hearing 'the preaching of the Word that is full of the revelation of Jesus on the cross', that's when you'll also be sanctified and cleansed (by the washing of water by the Word), useful for the Master, and prepared for every good work. Amen.
