Red Heifer

Num 19:5-15         11/30/2017

God instructed Moses to make a special sacrifice outside the camp. The sacrificed animal was required to be a very special “Red Heifer” that had no blemishes or deformities and that had never done any work. The sacrifice was entirely consumed by fire and the ashes were collected. The ashes were subsequently used in a purification rite.

Everything hinges on the “Red Heifer”.

They say there have only been ten or so red heifers sacrifices in the entire history of Israel. The ashes from just one of these sacrificial rites lasts for generations.

Even as I write this, all over the world there are farmers, Jewish and friends of the Jewish, who are actively trying to breed the perfect red heifer so that this ritual cleansing can be reinstituted.

The Jewish priestly line is ready. They know the who, what, when and where.

But the standard of near perfection for this cow is incredibly high. So despite all the effort to breed one, no red heifer has been found suitable. In the age of high technology, supercomputing and space travel, it’s strangely hard to believe that no one can produce an acceptable red cow.

In any case, this cow and the purification rite it supports, is important. It is generally agreed that, even if there were some way to overcome the political turmoil of middle eastern politics, the construction of a new temple in Jerusalem could not begin without the availability of ashes for the rite of purification. Those who wish to see a new Jewish temple in Israel must produce a red heifer to see their dreams fulfilled.

So, the anticipation of a suitable red heifer is itself almost messianic.

It’s curious how much political force and human history can hinge on the life of one medium sized animal.

Today I’ll make a thousand decisions. I wonder: Will the quality of the rest of my life will hinge on at least one of them?

I’d better find a savior.

“I tell you, on the day of judgment people will render an account for every careless word they speak” Matt 12:36