Numbers 19:2
This is the ordinance of the law which the LORD hath commanded, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel, that they bring thee a red heifer without spot, wherein is no blemish, and upon which never came yoke: This is the ordinance of the law which the LORD hath commanded, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel, that they bring thee a red heifer without spot, wherein is no blemish, and upon which never came yoke:
The ordinance appoints an offering for the congregation's purification from ceremonial defilement, especially the defilement contracted by contact with the dead, which taught that death came because of sin and stood as a representation of sin. Its red color symbolized blood, and its freedom from spot and blemish typified Christ as the spotless, sinless Son of God and sacrifice. That spotlessness was proved by enduring every kind of test and provocation without yielding to Satan, without retaliating, and without responding to temptation, so that no sin in Him gave Satan power over Him, and His spotless character and obedience to the Father made Him a living sacrifice for the fallen race.
Its never having borne a yoke typified that Christ freely undertook the work of atonement and was not compelled by obligation, for unlike the created angels who bear the yoke of duty and obedience, He was one with the Father and above all law. The single heifer pointed to Christ as the one great offering whose suffering and blood purify and redeem the world, and He alone was of sufficient worth to serve as surety for fallen humanity and to make an adequate atonement by taking human sin and bearing iniquity. Its slaying outside the camp pointed to Christ's death outside Jerusalem and showed that He came as Redeemer for all mankind, not only the Hebrews.
Its blood sprinkled toward the temple prefigured Christ's blood being brought into the holy place to cleanse the sanctuary and to reconcile God to humanity. Its body burned to ashes signified a complete and ample sacrifice, and the ashes mixed with running water and used repeatedly typified the ongoing purification of the people from sin.