Understanding the Ancient Role of Purification and Its Lessons for Today

Transcription

1 2011 Flickr/Sarah Altendorf The Red Heifer S T Understanding the Ancient Role of Purification and Its Lessons for Today

2 The Red Heifer Introduction S T When you were a child, you probably were told at some point by a parent or other adult in charge of your care to do something because I said so. This phrase was likely uttered at your protestations, your pleading of but why?, at being instructed to eat your broccoli or brush your teeth. From your vantage point as a child, those instructions seemed odd or even downright cruel. We can often have the same feeling about some of God s commands to us. From our vantage point, as His created ones, we don t always understand why He wants us to wait on His timing or forgive that person. In our better moments, we override our confusion or reluctance with a desire to obey our God to do something simply because He said so. The Jewish teaching and belief surrounding the red heifer, the ashes of which are said to purify Jews who have come into contact with a corpse, can certainly fall into that category of because He said so. It s hard to make sense of this instruction and the role the red heifer will play in the building of the Third Temple, but if we come to this instruction with an open mind and willing heart, we can learn some important lessons about God s sovereignty and holiness. Main teaching point According to Jewish teaching, the arrival of a red heifer will be a sign of the coming of the Messiah and the rebuilding of the Third Temple. Key Verse: This is a requirement of the law that the LORD has commanded: Tell the Israelites to bring you a red heifer without defect or blemish and that has never been under a yoke Numbers 19: International Fellowship of Christians and Jews ifcj.org page 2

3 Before You Begin We don t often talk about purification in religious circles today, especially in Christian teaching. What do you think is the role and means of purification in our modern world? Watch the video, "How Now Red Cow," in the Learning Center Resource Library, ifcj.org/learn, and then work through the questions below. S T Going deeper There are many Jewish teachings regarding what needs to happen before the Temple can be rebuilt. In addition to things, such as the appearance of Elijah, the war between Gog and Magog, the ingathering of the Jewish exiles to Israel, many Jews believe a red heifer is needed to ritually purify the Jews before they could create and enter this sacred space, especially the Holy of Holies. 1. According to Jewish teaching, who needs to be purified by the ashes of the red heifer? 2. Read Numbers 19. Why do you think the instructions are so exact? Why do you think purification is needed for these people? What does this tell us about God? 3. What happens to the priests who administer this purification ritual? What must they do to be able to once again enter the Temple? 2018 International Fellowship of Christians and Jews ifcj.org page 3

4 4. What other instructions about purification do you find in the following verses? Scripture Reason for Purification Means of Purification Genesis 35:2 3 Leviticus 8:15 Leviticus 12:1 8 2 Chronicles 29: John 1: International Fellowship of Christians and Jews ifcj.org page 4

5 5. Why aren t Jews allowed to set foot on the Temple Mount by Jewish law today? Jewish teachers believe everyone has either come into contact with a corpse or with someone else who has, so they believe all Jews are in need of purification. But this presents a problem since the ashes of a red heifer are no longer available for this purification. 6. What are some people trying to do about this missing element? 7. Do you think this is a fulfillment of prophesy and obedience to God s instruction or an attempt to control the situation and conform the timing to our schedule? 8. Why aren t Jews building the Third Temple now? 9. What do you make of the sudden appearance of red heifers since 1967? What is the significance of 1967? 2018 International Fellowship of Christians and Jews ifcj.org page 5

6 Reflection S T Think About It What do you think will be the role if any of the red heifer in the coming of the Messiah? Apply it What can you do this week to purify your heart, mind, and life to be a worthy vessel for our holy God? 2018 International Fellowship of Christians and Jews ifcj.org page 6

7 Photo: Yossi Zwecker Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein " Y" In 1983, Rabbi Eckstein founded the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews (The Fellowship), devoting his life to building bridges of understanding between Christians and Jews and broad support for the State of Israel. He is an internationally respected Bible teacher and acknowledged as the world s leading Jewish authority on evangelical Christians. Under his leadership, The Fellowship now raises over $125 million annually, making it the largest Christian-supported humanitarian nonprofit working in Israel today. Copyright 2018 by the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews, Inc. All rights reserved. Unless otherwise noted, all quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version, NIV. 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. Published by the International Fellowship of Christians & Jews, Inc. with offices in Canada, Israel, South Korea, and the United States International Fellowship of Christians and Jews ifcj.org page 7

8 Building Bridges. Saving Lives. The International Fellowship of Christians and Jews was founded in 1983 by Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein to promote understanding between Christians and Jews, and to build broad support for Israel through these ministry programs: Blessing Jews in Need Around the World Guardians of Israel On Wings of Eagles Helping bring Jews to the Holy Land Isaiah 58 Providing lifesaving aid and assistance to impoverished Jews in the former Soviet Union Guardians of Israel Assisting needy Jews in Israel with food and other lifesaving needs and providing security against terror attacks Understanding the Jewish Roots of the Christian Faith Holy Land Moments daily radio program on Jewish life, culture, history, and faith Devotions and Hebrew Word of the Day from Rabbi Eckstein Teaching videos on the Jewish roots of Christianity Online resources on Jewish holy days and festivals Advocating for the Jewish People and the State of Israel Stand for Israel Mobilizing support to stand with Israel through advocacy Fellowship Prayer Team Joining in prayer for Israel Israel in the News Covering issues of the day relevant to Israel and her people Join us today at ifcj.org Canada Israel South Korea United States 2018 International Fellowship of Christians and Jews ifcj.org page 8