Numbers 19:1-21:3
5. Mediator
These passages about the blood of goats and bulls and the ‘ashes of the heifer’ (19:9) foreshadow Jesus’ death in our place on the cross.
The writer of Hebrews draws attention to these sacrifices, but then explains: ‘How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God! For this reason, Christ is the mediator’ (Hebrews 9:14–15a).
Thank you, Lord, that there is ‘one God and one mediator between God and human beings, Jesus Christ, himself human, who gave himself as a ransom for all’ (1 Timothy 2:5–6).
6. Rock
God tells Moses to bring water out of the rock. Moses strikes the rock twice and water gushes out for everyone to drink (Numbers 20:1–11). ‘Water came out abundantly’ (v.11, AMP).
The apostle Paul also tells us how to interpret the water coming out of the rock. He says, ‘They… drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ’ (1 Corinthians 10:3–4). He is the one who quenches our thirst. Material things alone do not satisfy.
God is so generous to us. Water did not come out in a trickle – it came out abundantly. Jesus came to give you abundant life (John 10:10, RSV). He promises to satisfy your spiritual thirst with ‘rivers of living water’ (John 7:37–38).
Lord, my rock, thank you that you satisfy my spiritual thirst. May I, through the Holy Spirit within me, bring the water of life to others.
7. Great High Priest
Jesus is the ‘great high priest’ (Hebrews 4:14) who lives for ever to intercede for us. The death of Aaron (Numbers 20:28–29) reminds us that one of the weaknesses of the Levitical priesthood was that these priests died.
The writer of Hebrews contrasts these priests like Aaron whose ‘death prevented them from continuing in office’ with Jesus who ‘lives for ever’ and ‘has a permanent priesthood. Therefore, he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them’ (Hebrews 7:23–25).
This reminds us of the certainty that you can have in your faith. You do not have to worry about whether you will be ‘good enough’, you can be totally confident in the salvation that you have in Jesus.
Thank you, Lord, my Great High Priest who lives for ever, that you are able to save me completely. Thank you that you rose from the dead and live to intercede for me. Thank you that you are interceding for me right now.