Numbers 19: Holy Water

"For the purification of the unclean person, they are to take some of the ashes of the burnt sin offering, put them in a jar, and add fresh water to them."

Numbers 19:17

What we normally think of as "holy water" is really just tap water (or filtered, bottled, spring, etc.) which has been blessed by a priest via prayer.  This is a whole different animal from what holy water used to be.  In fact, our current view of holy water isn't actually animal at all, whereas the holy water described above was once a cow, sacrificed and burned to ash as a sin offering.

This original "holy water" actually had significant symbolism, being created from the ashes of the offering which takes the sin away from the people.  This is the literal symbol of the people's spiritual cleanliness.

Question of the Day:

What other literal symbols have been lost in our transition to modern religious practices, but used to bear significant importance to the spiritual goal of cleanliness and purity?

Prayer of the Day:

Thank You for calling me to read through Your Word from cover to cover.  Continue to use this as a means of teaching me about Your character and Your calling for my life.  Amen.