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:
Ver. 2. This is the ordinance of the law, which.] An ordinance, a law, a commanded law: all this to show the peremptoriness of the Lord in this point, that unless we lay hold upon the blood of Christ, prefigured by this red heifer, we cannot escape the damnation of hell.
That they bring thee.] At a common charge, because for a common good. All the congregation must get them a bloody Saviour.
A red heifer.] Typing out Christum cruentatum, Christ covered with his own blood: see Isa 63:1-2 white and ruddy, as the Church says of him: Son 5:10 Tam recens mihi Christus crucifixus, ac si iam fudisset sanguinem. a The pressure of his sufferings made him sweat great drops, or rather clods of blood, in a cold night, besides what afterwards issued from his many wounds in his head and body.
Never came yoke.] Christ never bore the yoke either of sin or servitude. He laid down his life of himself. Joh 10:17-18 See Hebrews 9:13,14. He was not subject to any command of man. Luk 2:44 Joh 2:4
a Luther.