Knowledge of the future has wide appeal. This was evident when a work mate of mine who showed virtually no interest in living a godly life shared his fascination with the "red heifer" spoken of in Numbers 19. I found this most strange. "You may think I don't know about things like that," he said with a twinkle in his eye. "I've been reading about it. You gotta have a red heifer to have worship in the temple in Jerusalem. They be looking for that heifer!" I didn't know what to think. He clearly felt as if he had obtained privileged information and was even smug about it.
He was correct a red heifer is required under the Law, though he didn't say anything about what practical function it served - that the ashes were used for making the water of separation to cleanse people who had come in contact with a dead body. To him, the discovery of a red heifer was a sign of the culmination of end time events, that when a young cow which met the biblical criteria provided proof the temple in Jerusalem would be rebuilt. We had many conversations over the years we worked together, but this one had the most impact because it was totally "out of left field." Common themes of his conversations were about sport, women, shooting pool, his business savvy, and how confident he was. I saw no evidence of interest in leading a life which honoured God and His Word, yet at the same time he was deeply intrigued concerning finding a red heifer and the fulfillment of prophecy.
The thing I felt tragic about my colleague's perspective is how he believed knowledge indicated faith when it was nothing of the sort. Knowing about a red heifer and believing people at the Temple Institute were searching for one would not help him be cleansed from his own sin. It is very fine to find a red heifer, but under the Law only a cleansed and sanctified priest could administer this water of separation on the third and seventh day. What is the point of having a perfect heifer without a sanctified priest? Under the Law without the temple, altars, anointing oil, and blood of the sacrifice, this cannot be done. Thankfully Jesus is for His followers both sacrifice and High Priest, having washed us in His blood through repentance and faith in Him. The water of separation was for people who had been in contact with the dead, and we who were ourselves dead in sins have been born again by the life of Jesus Christ.
How wonderful it is God has given us minds to think and a conscience which is sensitive to things of God! I pray my friend and many others like him who are interested in random passages of scripture would take the next step of having their hearts and minds transformed by saving faith in Jesus Christ. Only when we have the Spirit of God within us can we have understanding and practically apply scripture to our lives and what we see in the world around us. Seeing a kosher red heifer would be rare and interesting, but wouldn't it be wise to consider the Messiah who is coming to judge the nations?
He was correct a red heifer is required under the Law, though he didn't say anything about what practical function it served - that the ashes were used for making the water of separation to cleanse people who had come in contact with a dead body. To him, the discovery of a red heifer was a sign of the culmination of end time events, that when a young cow which met the biblical criteria provided proof the temple in Jerusalem would be rebuilt. We had many conversations over the years we worked together, but this one had the most impact because it was totally "out of left field." Common themes of his conversations were about sport, women, shooting pool, his business savvy, and how confident he was. I saw no evidence of interest in leading a life which honoured God and His Word, yet at the same time he was deeply intrigued concerning finding a red heifer and the fulfillment of prophecy.
The thing I felt tragic about my colleague's perspective is how he believed knowledge indicated faith when it was nothing of the sort. Knowing about a red heifer and believing people at the Temple Institute were searching for one would not help him be cleansed from his own sin. It is very fine to find a red heifer, but under the Law only a cleansed and sanctified priest could administer this water of separation on the third and seventh day. What is the point of having a perfect heifer without a sanctified priest? Under the Law without the temple, altars, anointing oil, and blood of the sacrifice, this cannot be done. Thankfully Jesus is for His followers both sacrifice and High Priest, having washed us in His blood through repentance and faith in Him. The water of separation was for people who had been in contact with the dead, and we who were ourselves dead in sins have been born again by the life of Jesus Christ.
How wonderful it is God has given us minds to think and a conscience which is sensitive to things of God! I pray my friend and many others like him who are interested in random passages of scripture would take the next step of having their hearts and minds transformed by saving faith in Jesus Christ. Only when we have the Spirit of God within us can we have understanding and practically apply scripture to our lives and what we see in the world around us. Seeing a kosher red heifer would be rare and interesting, but wouldn't it be wise to consider the Messiah who is coming to judge the nations?
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