Numbers 19  So.. this chapter has to do with how to deal with being "unclean".  To Israel, one of the most contaminating things would be touching a corpse.  Think about that.. they were living in tents, traveling frequently, and all those over 20 were condemned to die for their rebellion after the spies had come back from Canaan.  They had provoked the Lord, who sent a plague killing 14,700 plus the 250 and all of Korah's family.  Lots of corpses had to be dealt with... quickly.  The Lord established a way that those who became unclean could be restored.  In this case, He had the priest go outside the camp, sacrifice a red heifer, burn it to ashes, and then add those ashes to water.. to make a purification liquid.  The unclean person would be sprinkled on the third and seventh days, then he would wash his clothes and himself in water.. and then he was pronounced clean.

In our current state.. we are definitely aware of contamination.  Everywhere we look we are reminded to wash our hands.. to stay away from anyone who might expose us to the virus.  And, there are people dying.  We don't have a red heifer.  We won't be sprinkling anyone with this purification liquid.. but, we can take away truth from this passage....

God always has a plan.
He doesn't want us to remain unclean.
He has provided a way for us.

Two passages come to mind...

In Mark 7 the Pharisees and scribes criticize the disciples for not following the traditional hand washings before they ate. ( This had nothing to do with cleanliness, but with ritual).   Jesus teaches that true defilement is not what comes from the outside and into the stomach.. but "that which proceeds out of the man, that is what defiles the man.  For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed the evil thoughts, fornications, thefts, murders, adulteries, deeds of coveting and wickedness, as well as deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, and foolishness.  All these evil things proceed from within and defile the man. " ( v20-23)

 It is this "uncleanness" that the world ignores as it focuses on combating covoid19.  But, God has not changed His mind about what is more important!  He doesn't want us to remain unclean.. in our hearts and He has provided a way..

The second passage comes from Hebrews 9:13-14 " .. For if the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling those who have been defiled, sanctify for the cleansing of the flesh, how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God." 

And,  10: 22  "... let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful."

Father in heaven,  You determined long ago that You would make a way for us to be cleansed from all our unrighteousness.  How amazing is Your grace, that You would send Your only Son, to become the sacrifice that cleanses us from all sin and defilement.  Thank You!  Thank You for giving us Your Word and the Spirit who illuminates our understanding.  Father, we draw near to You with sincere hearts and full assurance that You have cleansed our evil hearts... and You will take care of the rest of us too!   We pray for You to reveal Your plan and to lead us in Your ways, so that Your Name is glorified in all the earth.   We pray this in Jesus' name. amen.