(Numbers 19, Numbers 21) The Red Heifer and the Bronze Serpent
(Translated from Chinese by GPT)
During a specific week in the summer, there is a Torah reading portion called “Chukat,” which spans from Numbers 19:1 to 22:1. It includes two significant events: the commandment of the red heifer (Chapter 19) and the bronze serpent (Chapter 21). The red heifer is burned to ashes and used in a purification ritual to cleanse those who have become impure by contact with a corpse, allowing them to approach the sanctuary. The bronze serpent, on the other hand, is lifted on a pole, providing healing to those who were bitten by snakes and were on the brink of death. These mysteries are difficult to explain rationally for Jewish people. However, for Christians, Jesus explicitly referred to the bronze serpent in John 3:14 as a foreshadowing of the Son of Man (Christ or the Messiah).
At first glance, it may seem strange that the representation of the Messiah is a bronze serpent instead of a bronze lamb, considering that bronze is associated with the altar of atonement. One possible explanation is that Hebrew letters can represent numbers, similar to Roman numerals. The Hebrew word for Christ (Messiah), משיח (Mashiach), has a numerical value of 358, which matches the numerical value of the word נחש (Nachash), meaning serpent. Thus, the harm brought upon humanity by the ancient serpent, who enticed the first human ancestors to sin, is counteracted by the actions of Christ. Christ’s equal numerical value to the serpent’s, symbolizes the complete eradication of all the damage caused by the ancient serpent.
So, what does the red heifer represent? If we consider the same line of thought, the numerical value of the red heifer פרה אדמה is 335, which is the same as the numerical value of “Even Ha’ezer” (אבן העזר) meaning “the stone of help.” This name is introduced in 1 Samuel 7 and I believe it represents the unity of Christ with the Creator, because the Hebrew word for stone (אבן, Even) is a combination of the Hebrew words for father (אב, Av) and son (בן, Ben), just as Jesus Christ stated in John 10:30, “I and the Father are one.” The numerical value of the red heifer signifies the unity of Christ with the Creator. The function of the red heifer is to remove the impurity of death, allowing people to approach the sanctuary and come before the Creator.
Therefore, the bronze serpent can represent Christ’s triumph over the ancient serpent’s actions, while the red heifer can represent the unity of Christ with the Creator, bringing about human purification and reconciliation with God. The lifting of the bronze serpent in the wilderness was a one-time event, corresponding to the one-time crucifixion of Jesus, whereas the purification by the red heifer is an “everlasting statute” (Numbers 19:21). Throughout generations, Christians experience cleansing through baptism, being freed from death, and being born again in Christ to come before the Creator. The purification ritual of the red heifer concludes with a similar process to baptism: “On the third day and on the seventh day, he shall purify him; then he shall wash his clothes and bathe in water, and shall be clean by evening” (Numbers 19:19).
Do these symbolic meanings have any practical suggestions for Christians? First: Just as the Israelites in the Old Testament completed the purification ritual of the red heifer before approaching the sanctuary to worship, I believe that Christians should have a ‘cleansing’ preparation before going to church for worship and prayer. Living in this world, Christians are inevitably exposed to the contamination of worldly influences and the interference of the ‘old self’ in Adam. Therefore, before worshiping the holy Creator, efforts should be made to remove these impure influences. If possible, taking a clean bath beforehand can serve as a reminder of the new life that they have already received when they were baptized.
Second: It is a recommendation regarding the combination of studying the Old and New Testaments. When studying the Old Testament portion of “Chukat” (Numbers 19:1 to 22:1), it can be helpful to refer to the New Testament’s chapter of John 3, where Jesus discusses the Son of Man and the bronze serpent, the unified work by the Father and the Son, baptism, rebirth, and other related concepts. At that time, Jesus was teaching these to Nicodemus, a Jewish scholar who was well-versed in the Old Testament. I wonder how much Nicodemus understood at the time, and how much more he understood after Jesus’ crucifixion (John 19:39)?