Parashah Chukah and the Gospel and the Red Heifer

Reflections from Parashah Chukat 
June 19, 2021
9th of Tamuz, 5781

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Within the last two Parashiot, our Torah readings equally records the tragedy that a lack of trust which can develop in those who choose to not to look to Adonai in every circumstance. First, in Numbers 13:32 - ten of the twelve spies spread fear and a negative report and lead the people to doubt God’s goodness. Then, in Numbers 16:1-3, doubt turns into rebellion - culminating into judgment for those who opposed Adonai and His appointed leaders. However, as we reach Parashah Chukah (Numbers 19:1-22:1) God reminds for us again, the Hope of Redemption for not just Isra’el, but ultimately to all the peoples of the world who call upon the Lord’s Name!
 
Parashah Chukah (meaning regulations or decrees) is the 39th reading within the Torah and the 6th Parashah within the Book of Numbers. Within Chukah, Adonai provides us instruction on the following:
 

• God through Moshe gives instruction concerning the (Tumat Hamet), or the touching of a dead human body.

 

• Detail is given concerning the death of Miryam (the sister of Moshe) and Aharon (the Cohen HaGadol).

 

• Description is given of Moshe’s failure at the waters of Meribah where he strikes the rock twice to produce mayim(water) from the rock.

 

• And discussion is given concerning Isra’el conquest over Arad, the Amorites and Bashan - as God further enables His people in taking possession of their Land. 

 
Yet most notably of our Parashah is the description provided in Numbers 19:1-10 in the provision of the Red Heifer. In this, the Red Heifer is seen as unique from all other where it must be without spot, blemish or defect and likewise, must not be a beast of burden or have had been fitted with a yoke (vs. 2). 
 
Of the sacrifice of the Red Heifer, Messianic Scholar, Dr. Rabbi David Friedman in the Complete Jewish Study Bible, concerning vs. 3 notes,
 
 “El’azar the cohen is to take some of the blood with his finger and sprinkle this blood toward the front of the tent of meeting seven times,” is the (Shachat) or, Ritual Slaughter, thus referring “to the method by which an animal was killed in order to be used as an offering.” 
 
Most notably, for us as believers, the sacrifice of Red Heifer points directly to, and foreshadows Yeshua’s sacrifice for us and for our redemption …
 

• Yeshua, like the Red Heifer was without blemish or defect, just as Messiah was without sin for our redemption (Isaiah 53:9; 1 Corinthians 5:21).

 

• The Red Heifer was sacrificed outside the camp, Yeshua died for our sins outside of Jerusalem and away from the Holy Temple (Hebrews 13:11-12).

 

• Just as the ashes of the Red Heifer cleansed the people from contamination or death, so Yeshua’s sacrifice saves us from the penalty of sin and death. 

 
From this what we find is that the sacrifice of the Red Heifer is not an archaic or primitive practice, but instead an image of salvation for all who place their hope in Yeshua our Messiah. 
Beloved lets fully place our trust in Him today!     
                                                                                                                          
 
 ~ Rabbi Mark Rantz