17 'Then for the unclean person they shall take some of the ashes of the burnt purification from sin and flowing water shall be added to them in a vessel . 18 'A clean person shall take hyssop and dip it in the water , and sprinkle it on the tent and on all the furnishings and on the persons who were there , and on the one who touched the bone or the one slain or the one dying naturally or the grave . 19 'Then the clean person shall sprinkle on the unclean on the third day and on the seventh day ; and on the seventh day he shall purify him from uncleanness , and he shall wash his clothes and bathe himself in water and shall be clean by evening . 20 'But the man who is unclean and does not purify himself from uncleanness , that person shall be cut off from the midst of the assembly , because he has defiled the sanctuary of the Lord ; the water for impurity has not been sprinkled on him, he is unclean .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Numbers 19:17-20
Commentary on Numbers 19:11-22
(Read Numbers 19:11-22)
Why did the law make a corpse a defiling thing? Because death is the wages of sin, which entered into the world by it, and reigns by the power of it. The law could not conquer death, nor abolish it, as the gospel does, by bringing life and immortality to light, and so introducing a better hope. As the ashes of the heifer signified the merit of Christ, so the running water signified the power and grace of the blessed Spirit, who is compared to rivers of living water; and it is by his work that the righteousness of Christ is applied to us for our cleansing. Those who promise themselves benefit by the righteousness of Christ, while they submit not to the grace and influence of the Holy Spirit, do but deceive themselves; we cannot be purified by the ashes, otherwise than in the running water. What use could there be in these appointments, if they do not refer to the doctrines concerning the sacrifice of Christ? But comparing them with the New Testament, the knowledge to be got from them is evident. The true state of fallen man is shown in these institutions. Here we learn the defiling nature of sin, and are warned to avoid evil communications.