Purified by the Spirit

The ultimate expression of sin is death – because one man sinned, all die (Rom. 5:12). God commanded the Israelites to be purified after touching or being near a dead person to show them the importance of separation from sin and its consequences. The washing by water not only cleansed physically b also symbolized (as previously in cases of leprosy and childbirth) an inward purity and a desire to live according to the commandments of God.

It also should be noted that defilement lasted for a certain number of days, even in the midst of washings. Sin has its consequences which go on for some time, even though a person later does what God commands. A person often must live with the consequences of his actions, even after forgiveness takes place.

Death itself was ultimately defeated when Jesus Christ died and rose again. Henceforth, no one who trusts in Him needs ever fear death, for He Himself has undergone death and overpowered it (2 Tim. 1:10; Heb. 2:14, 15). An entire generation of believers will not even experience death (1 Cor. 15:51).

Taken from The Devotional Daily Bible