Parasha Hukkat (Regulation, Statute, Decree)
Num.19:1 – 22:1 Haftarah Chukat: Judg 11:1-33
By Raphael ben Levi
Num.19 speak of the regulations concerning the red heifer (a young female cow that had not yet borne a calf) that was slaughtered and burned outside the camp at the “Mount of Anointment,” on the Mount of Olives opposite the eastern gate of the Temple Mount.
Unlike all other sacrifices offered at the Temple, this was made some distance away facing the Temple.
Afterwards, its ashes were mixed with natural spring water, (“the waters of purification”) The waters of purification were necessary to ritually cleanse those who had been contaminated by death through contact with a corpse, bone, or grave. Once purified, they could enter the Tabernacle to draw near to the Living God.
The concept of clean and unclean or pure (tahor) and impure (tamei) are akin to an insider and an outsider and only those who were tahor (clean / pure) could enter the dwelling place of God’s presence. Those who were tamei (defiled) were forbidden entrance into the Temple and unless they became purified, they would be cut off from Israel such as lepers.
Such great care was taken in this respect that In Jewish tradition even proximity to a corpse (defined as within the distance of one’s shadow) made a person unclean. Consequently, tombs were whitewashed so they were clearly marked to warn those passing by to give plenty of space lest they be defiled. When Yeshua described the Pharisees of His day as ‘whitewashed tombs,’ He served them with a severe reprimand that was immediately understood and of great offence to them.
All forms of defilement and sin are great separaters as in Ps.51 that caused King David such anguish as he prayed: “Lev tahor bra-li Elohim, Veruakh nakhon Chadesh be-kirbi Al tash-lokheyni mil’fanekha, Veruakh kodshekha, al tikakh mimeni”
Create in me a pure heart, O God, And renew a right spirit within me.
Cast me not away from Thy presence, And take not Thy holy Spirit from me.
The ashes of a red heifer which cleanses a person from defilement is a mystery within Judaism as they question how it can be possible for the ashes of the red heifer purify the defiled and defile the pure?
It is recognised as being beyond any kind of sense or meaningful interpretation and known as a ‘chok,’ a law with no explanation that even King Solomon, the wisest man that ever lived, could not provide any explanation.
But things become clear when we understand that every requirement surrounding the sacrificial process of the Red Heifer (Parah Adumuh) was fulfilled perfectly by Yeshua.
He alone throughout the history of humanity was without sin or blemish (2 Cor. 5:21; Jn 8:46), and yet became sin for us and was killed outside the camp (Heb.13:12–13).
He has earned for us the right to be cleansed from all sin and defilement (1Pet 1:2; Heb 12:24; Rev 1:5; Eph 5:25–6), not with the ashes of the Red Heifer, nor the blood of bulls and goats, but through His perfect sacrifice for us.
“He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but He entered the Most Holy Place once for all by His own blood, having obtained eternal redemption. The blood of goats and bulls and the ASHES OF A HEIFER sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean. How much more, then, will the blood of the Messiah, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!” (Heb 9:13–14)
There are many parallels between the red heifer and our Messiah Yeshua. Here are some examples.
• Red is the colour of sin (Isa.1:18, “Though your sins be as scarlet . . . red like crimson.”).
• Red is the colour of the skin infection described in Leviticus (13:19,24,42–43).
• Burning the heifer represents the death and suffering of Mashiach at HIs crucifixion marking God’s judgment against sin.
- The red heifer had borne no yoke and Yeshua was neither was Yeshua ever under the yoke of sin or contaminated by anything anything else of an earthly nature.
- The red heifer was slain on the Mount of Olives by the priests that was located off the Temple Mount outside the walls of Jerusalem. So too, Yeshua was sacrificed outside the city gates of Jerusalem (Heb 13:12) and maybe on the Mount of Olives from which the front of the temple and the veil was clearly visible since the rent veil was visible from the place of crucifixion (Matt 27:51,54; Mark 15:38–39).
- The heifer was totally burnt representing Messiah’s atonement for us complete atonement for our sins. There was nothing more or less He could have done in providing us with His salvation.
So, what is the answer to the riddle that the Jewish sages say is a “chok” which even King Solomon could offer any answer to?
It is life out of death by Yeshua who conquered death and offers life for those who receive Him as their saviour and Lord. Through Him, we no longer remain outside the “camp” because He has provided for us cleansing from the defilement of sin, and with it eternal redemption. not with the ashes of the Red Heifer, nor the blood of bulls and goats, but with the perfect offering of His lifeblood shed for us.
THE SCARLET THREAD
In this week’s parsha we read another curious instruction with regard to the sacrifice of the red heifer: “The priest is to take cedar-wood hyssop and scarlet yearn and throw them onto the heifer as it is burning up.”
Here we have another reference to the curious ‘scarlet thread’ that weaves its way in and out enigmatically in various places in Scripture.
Solomon referred to the colour of scarlet in his description of the Shullamite with lips that he likened to a scarlet thread: “Your lips are like a thread of scarlet, and your mouth is lovely.” Even her smallest feature was noteworthy and of utmost value as to attract King Solomon’s attention. Her lips represent the seal His God’s promises to those who know and love Him that are all fulfilled through Yeshua.
Here we see portrayed a love story which exceeds even the Song of Solomon yet is inextricably connected. Solomon, who was a direct descendent of Rahab, provides us with a glimpse of the relationship between Mashiach and His chosen people.
And so we see how the scarlet thread links us with a heroine of faith: Rahab a harlot who saved the lives of 2 Israelite spies sent out to check out Jericho. As a result Joshua destroyed Jericho and Rahab and her entire family were spared and became a part of the Jewish people. What was the sign of protection for Rahab and her household? It was the sign of the scarlet thread:
“Behold, when we (Israelites) come into the land, you (Rahab) shall bind this scarlet cord in the window through which you let us down.”
When the red heifer was offered, the priest used cedar wood, hyssop, and a scarlet thread that he threw into the fire of the sacrifice.
Cedar (Heb: ‘erez’) wood is aromatic and its scent was a soothing aroma covering the stench of death and was used in ritual cleansing (such as with a leper) [Lev.14:4].
Hyssop was a symbol of purification and was also used for the cleansing of someone healed from leprosy.
When the Israelites marked their doorposts with lamb’s blood so that he angel of death would pass over them, God instructed them to use a bunch of hyssop as a “paintbrush” (Ex.12:22). This signified that God was marking His people as “pure” and free from His judgment in contrast to the Egyptians.
David also mentions hyssop in Ps.51:7: “Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.” referring to cleansing from sin through genuine repentance (Teshuva”)
Hyssop again appears at Yeshua’s crucifixion, when the Roman soldiers offered Him a drink of wine vinegar on a sponge at the end of a stalk of hyssop (Jn.19:28–30).
The scarlet thread was symbolic of the two goats of Yom Kippur; one was sacrificed, and the scapegoat (Azazel) was led into the wilderness and thrown over a cliff (known as ‘The Azazel’) to its death.
The rabbis taught that 40 years prior to the destruction of the Temple (i.e. 30AD) the scarlet thread ceased to become white (Tractate Yoma 39) representing God’s forgiveness of the nation’s sins. In Tractate Rosh Ha Shanah 3b it was further taught that: “…for forty years before the destruction of the Temple the thread of scarlet never turned white but remained red” perfectly coinciding with the moment when Yeshua was crucified.
Yeshua’s sacrifice was an eternal offering for sin making the need for accepting animal sacrifices for sin obsolete.
“Come now, and let us reason together, says the YHVH: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.”
But on a cautionary note, we as believers never treat our salvation lightly as do some who fall into the trap by offering God sacrifices and good works as a substitute to earn His forgiveness and favour. In Ps.51, David acknowledged to God, “You do not delight in sacrifice, or else I would give it; You are not pleased with burnt offering. My [only] sacrifice [acceptable] to God is a broken spirit; A broken and contrite heart [broken with sorrow for sin, thoroughly penitent], such, O God, You will not despise.”
Let’s not be deceived. Yeshua alone is the way and the truth and the life who can transform the Rahabs of this world into heroes of faith!
He alone can take hold of those whom the world rejects and speak into their lives saying, “Where are your accusers? Neither do I accuse you. Go and sin no more.”
He done can take hold of those who lie in the rubbish dump of hopelessness and despair and place them upon a solid rock because He is a God who delights to make all things new: new beginnings and second chances who makes our feet like hinds’ feet, and sets them upon the mountain heights! (Ps.18:33)
Let me close with a story from Rebbe Nachman, the great grandson of the Baal Shem Tov:
A king once told his son to take a huge stone up to the first floor of the palace. The stone was large and heavy; neither strong people, nor horses, nor machines could move it. The prince was very perplexed. After trying in vain, he became discouraged and gave up.
When the king came and asked for an explanation, the prince admitted his failure:
“It was impossible!” he exclaimed.
“Do you really think that I would have asked you to do something impossible?” exclaimed the king.
“You should have thought about it! Did I ask you to take up the stone in one piece? If you had taken a hammer and started hitting it, you could have lifted up the small pieces and accomplished your work little by little.”
This rock, the enormous stone, is our heart. Unless we allow God to break the stony hardness of our hearts, piece by piece, we will never be able to enter or appreciate His ‘palace’ He has made provision for us.
Let’s remain on the inside in our relationship with God and never forget that we serve a God of the impossible who will always provide us with a way where there seems to be no way. This has all been made possible through the One who is our “parah adamah” (red heifer) and the scarlet cord who has sealed our salvation. The ‘chok’ has been revealed – the mystery has been solved!
