How many of us have started out bravely to read the entire Bible, beginning in Genesis, and then stopped somewhere in Exodus, Leviticus, or Numbers? Because of lack of understanding of the latter part of the Bible which is called the New Testament, we became bored with all the ceremonial purification laws and seemingly meaningless rules in regard to worship.
The Apostle Paul said, "Now we see but a poor reflection, then we shall see face to face" (I Cor.13:12 NIV). The Old Testament stories are a reflection of things to come and, as the time of Jesus' coming draws closer, we have a better persective of the events of long ago. Even those who wrote the Bible had no idea of the profound truths taught in the events they related.
For example, why all the purification rites of having to wash, wash, wash to cleanse oneself before approaching any of the holy areas or articles in the tabernacle? Why did the animals have to be perfect and without blemish before they could be chosen to be used as burnt offerings before the Lord? Why the need for everyone and everything to be purified before being fit for use by the Lord Jehovah?
The Apostle Paul explains it all very well in his ninth letter to the Hebrews. He tells them how these events of the Old Testament were necessary for God to show to His hand in history to help us understand later events.
Paul explains how the priests sprinkled the blood of animals on those who were ceremonially unclean to make them outwardly clean. He quotes Moses, "This is the blood of the covenant which God has commanded you to keep." Paul continues, "It was necessary, then, for the copies of the heavenly things to be purified with these sacrifices...Now Christ has appeared at the end of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of Himself, and He will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for Him" (Heb.9:19-28 NIV).
The Old Testament cleansing of the animals for sacrifice was to help us understand how Jesus, the perfect sacrificial Lamb, was pure and without sin. That sacrifice for us is complete. Jesus said at His death, "It is finished" (John 19:30). Therefore that part of it is over--Jesus died for you and me so that we might be free from sin and the guilt of it.
However, Paul says Jesus has promised to return, but at that future time it will not be to get rid of sin but will be a rescue mission for those who are ready and waiting for Him. He is coming back to get a holy church without spot or blemish to take to Himself (Eph.5:27).
The washing in the Old Testament was necessary, then, to explain Christ's role. How can we, the church of Jesus Christ for whom He died, become purified?
There is only one way. We must be willing to be sacrificed and burned on the altar as well. That is, all self-exaltation must be burned out so that we belong completely to Him. No half- measures will do. Water represents the Holy Spirit which washes us clean and the blood of Jesus is the power to do it. We must lie down like a sacrificial lamb so Jesus can wash us clean.
We have our part to do before Jesus can save us--we must submit ourselves and give up selfish interests before the water and blood can do us any good.
As we see how the Bible is so beautifully woven together, we understand that the rules for washing begin as an outward act, but end up as a cleansing of the heart. But King David, the Old Testament figure who represents Jesus, said, "A broken and a contrite heart, O God, you will not despise" (Ps.51.17).
As we see the complete Bible picture of the necessity of getting rid of sin before we can see God, how, then, ought we to live?
© 1999, Doreen Palmer