Numbers 19 - The Red Cow

Numbers 19 describes a curious ceremony in which a red cow must be immolated as a sin offering, burned, and then its ashes mixed with water to cleanse the unclean. When I read through the chapter the first time, I didn't quite see the point of it. I figured it was an action ordained by God because the people had sinned and needed purification. But there were so many inexplicable details involved in this sacrifice (for instance, why a red cow?) that it had me scratching my head. And, interestingly, I've come to realize that there isn't a lot of explanation in the Old Testament (at least not in the Pentateuch). The Law is laid down, the instructions given, and the ultimate point of it all is left unsaid (not that the people were left completely in the dark, but no one really analyzed what was going on). For me, this leads to one of the most convincing arguments for typology or supersessionism (or whatever other fancy name is out there). When one looks at the Mosaic Law equipped with the New Law given by Christ, one suddenly sees a complete picture, replete with explanations, reasonings, and rationales. It would be as if we were walking around at night in pitch black and suddenly we are given night-vision goggles and everything around us is visible. The Bible gives us no indication that the Israelites understood the ultimate meaning of the rigid code they were told to follow by Moses (in fact, their constant murmuring is indication that they didn't enjoy following something they didn't understand). But for us, living in the age after Christ has fulfilled the Law and illuminated it for us, we can see why the Jews had to do what they did, why the Law was filled with so many seemingly unimportant details, why, for instance, it had to be a red cow! Because it was all pointing to Jesus Christ! When one realizes this, there is no longer a pointless verse in the Old Testament. Every action is symbolic, is a figure for what is to come. The way was being prepared, even as far back as the days of Moses.

The reason I had to touch on the symbolism of the Old Testament is because this particular chapter, Numbers 19, which was originally obscure to me, was illuminated when I realized it was all symbolic. The red cow is Jesus Christ.

"Command the children of Israel, that they bring unto thee a red cow of full age, in which there is no blemish, and which hath not carried the yoke:
And you shall deliver her to Eleazar the priest, who shall bring her forth without the camp, and shall immolate her in the sight of all." (Numbers 19:2-3)

Christ was sacrificed when He reached the "full age"; He had "no blemish," for He was sinless. He was taken to the High Priest, was led outside the city, and was crucified "in the sight of all." And the parallels continue. The immolation of the red cow was to expiate the sins of the people, as was the sacrifice of Christ. My commentary says, "Thus we perceive the meaning of many things which to the Jews were veiled in shadows." Again, all things were pointing toward Christ. Whether or not Moses knew this is debatable. There are hints in the Bible that he knew vaguely of Someone Who was to come at a later age to save the children of Israel. Alas, it must for now remain as a mystery of faith.