They bring thee a red heifer, without spot (perfect, Newb.), where in is no blemish, and upon which never yoke came. Numbers 19:2 KJV
Num 19:2 They bring you an unblemished red heifer in which is no defect and on which a yoke has never been placed. Number 19:2 NASB
One of the lesser-known offerings of the Old Testament system (and one of the least ministered upon) is the ordinance concerning the red heifer. Unlike the sin and trespass offerings, it was not involved with sin itself, but with the defilement contracted along the wilderness path.
The ritual involved the slaying and burning of the heifer, the collection of the ashes and their availability for the ceremony of cleansing from defilement. Defilement could be contracted in several ways. Inadvertent contact with a dead bone or the sudden death of someone by your side were a few ways this could occur. Any contact with death defiled. But our thoughts are not so much on the ritual as on the heifer and its requirements.
Here is one of the few places in the Old Testament where we have a victim of whom it is said, “without spot and blemish.” Here was a perfect victim: within and without there was to be no blemish or defect. The marginal reading, “perfect,” conveys the essence of the demand. Some of the sacrifices were to be without blemish; others were to be without spot. But when the stipulations of the heifer were given, both are combined, reminding us of 1 Peter 1:19. Not only did the Lord challenge men, “Which of you convinces Me of sin?” His life also bore the scrutiny of His Father Who owned, “This is My beloved Son in Whom is all my delight.”
The heifer was to be red, or “adam,” reminding us of His link with us. A real man, but a pure man! Interestingly, there is one additional requirement: “upon which never came yoke.” Here was an animal that never had to be brought under submission. No period or process of “breaking” was needed. How reminiscent of the perfect Man. Unlike every other person who ever came into our world, He did not need to be taught to obey or to submit.
Luke who delights to detail for us something of the early years and the perfect life of the Lord Jesus, tells us that as a boy of twelve “He went down with them … and was subject unto them” (Luke 2:51). While He learned the cost of obedience, He never learned to obey. As the willing and perfect Servant, He came into the world delighting to do His Master’s will. Not obligation, drudgery, or duty, but it was His delight. There was no yoke placed upon His neck because there was a constraint within His heart. Delightful obedience was His “default position.”
We are told that a perfect red heifer was an exceedingly rare animal. However rare the heifer was, its antitype, the Lord Jesus, was not only rare among men, but absolutely unique in His perfections.
Consider:
The Red Heifer is only one of the many pictures and types of Christ in Numbers. We are all familiar with the uplifted serpent, Aaron’s rod that budded, and others. Gather together those which speak of His life, those which speak of His death, and those that speak of His resurrection and coming glory.