1. Cleansing from sin
Numbers 19

2. Cleansing from sin BACKGROUND
Numbers is an account of the time between the Exodus and the entry into the Promised Land
We have seen times of rebellion against God, Moses and Aaron
God has dealt with the rebellions and the rebels
The Israelites are still in the wilderness and there are many corpses strewn around the camp
How will God deal with this situation?

3. CEREMONIAL UNCLEANNESS
Cleansing from sin
CEREMONIAL UNCLEANNESS
According to the Law any contact with a dead body will make a person ceremonially unclean (see v 11)
If a person is unclean he cannot approach God (Leviticus 22:3 – 7)
God provides a way in which many can be made clean again
A cleansing water will be made to apply to people

4. Cleansing from sin CLEANSING WATER (1 – 10)
A perfect red heifer will be sacrificed
The sacrifice will be made outside the camp
Eleazar the priest will make the sacrifice rather than Aaron – possibly because he represents the next generation
He will sprinkle some blood seven times at the tabernacle or facing the tabernacle
He will burn the heifer
The ashes of the heifer will be mixed with water to make a cleansing solution

5. Cleansing from sin CLEANSING WATER (1 – 10)
Wood, hyssop and wool are added to the fire – these are elements used in other sacrifices
Everyone who takes part in the sacrifice and the preparation of the ashes will be unclean until they have washed and until evening
The ashes will be stored outside the camp
This ceremony was to be a lasting ordinance for the Israelites and those who dwelt with them

6. HOW TO USE THE CLEANSING WATER (11 – 22)
Cleansing from sin
HOW TO USE THE CLEANSING WATER (11 – 22)
An unclean person should use the water on the third and seventh day after they become unclean
If they do so they will be clean but if they do not they will cut off from the camp and tabernacle
Examples of what happens when someone dies in a tent or in the field are given – everyone in the tent and any open vessel in the tent are unclean, anyone even touching a dead bone in the field will be unclean

7. HOW TO USE THE CLEANSING WATER (11 – 22)
Cleansing from sin
HOW TO USE THE CLEANSING WATER (11 – 22)
The water can be applied by any person who is clean, not just a priest
Anyone applying the water will become unclean and will need to be washed and will remain unclean until the evening
Sin spreads, is contagious and is serious

8. Cleansing from sin LESSONS FOR TODAY
Sin separates us from God and from His people
We cannot approach a holy, pure and perfect God without being cleansed and made pure
We no longer need to sacrifice a red heifer
Jesus has become our all sufficient sacrifice
Hebrews 9:13 – 15 refers back to this incident – “how much more shall the blood of Christ...cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God”

9. Cleansing from sin LESSONS FOR TODAY
A sacrifice once for all (see Hebrews 10:10)
A sacrifice made outside the camp (see Hebrews 13:11 – 15)
A sacrifice that equips us to serve (the cleansed Israelite could serve God again)
A sacrifice that guarantees our inheritance (the cleansed Israelite was once again counted amongst the camp)