What does removing ashes from the altar of the Temple of God have to do with the modern Christian life of faith? I began exploring this question while studying the 30th positive commandment of the Torah as enumerated by Maimonides.
P30 – To remove the ashes from the altar, as Leviticus 6:3 states: “And he shall remove the ashes….”[1] (Leviticus 6:11 in standard translations)
While the Temple still stood with its regular burnt offerings, explicit mentions of the removal of the ashes from the altar are hard to find in the New Testament. The literal purpose of this practice will become evident again when Ezekiel’s Temple stands, as described in Ezekiel 40-47. It’s crucial to remember these concrete interpretations. They have a purpose and will be effectively lived out in the Kingdom. Building on this, my theory posits that the New Testament teachings allude to all 613 Torah commandments. If valid, the ashes of the altar must hold symbolic significance or convey a deeper message for us as disciples. How, and in which contexts, does Jesus emphasize this? I have several ideas on this, but I may not delve into all of them, as some are still taking shape in my mind.
In the previous command, P29, we see that we are called to keep the fire burning on the altar at all times. The natural expected result of continually keeping a fire burning is that there will be remnants of ash from what is burned up. Let’s delve deeper into this imagery.
Envision an inner flame that burns within you, symbolizing a perpetual journey of refinement and transformation. From the altar, we are to remove everything that isn’t good, righteous, or holy. It’s no longer fit to remain. Upon reflecting on this imagery, one can realize that this concept is prevalent throughout the Apostolic Writings.
Galatians 5:24–25 (ESV)
24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.
We strive to rid ourselves of behaviors and traits that aren’t upright or holy. Drawing inspiration from this notion, Paul offers his interpretation in what can be described as a midrash. In it, he details the types of behaviors that can be likened to the ‘ashes’ we ought to leave behind.
Galatians 5:19–21 (ESV)
19 Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, 21 envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Paul’s teachings offer profound insights into the evaluation of our deeds. Works rooted in wickedness, as highlighted earlier, are akin to ash that won’t endure. However, those actions in harmony with God’s principles not only stand the test but earn rewards. While the ‘ash’ or remnants of unrighteousness are discarded, what’s righteous continues to burn fervently, symbolizing our unwavering devotion and service to the LORD.
1 Corinthians 3:12–15 (ESV)
12 Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw— 13 each one’s work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. 14 If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire.
Humility
After reflecting on the lasting impact of our deeds, it’s crucial to consider the internal attitudes that drive them, notably humility and pride. While these concepts might not be immediately apparent in the command, the Jewish treatise “Duties of the Heart” provides illuminating insights. This source sheds light on the topic in a manner that resonates with one of Yeshua’s teachings.
That his deeds be little in his eyes…For the sake of God, he should put aside all haughtiness, and renounce personal pride and dignity while he is performing any religious service, whether he is alone or among a crowd of people. As the verse said about Aharon, in his exalted status (as head priest), “And he shall lift out the ashes.” The Creator obligated him to take out the ashes every day in order to lower and remove pride from his heart.[2]
As believers, we sometimes become overly confident about our final destination, allowing pride to overshadow humility. This complacency can manifest as an attitude of premature victory, akin to a racer feeling triumphant and donning a crown before even completing the race. Jesus cautions against such hubris. It’s plausible that the commandment of removing the ashes carries a similar undertone, reminding us to remain humble and grounded throughout our spiritual journey.
Luke 18:9–14 (ESV)
9 He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: 10 “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ 13 But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”
We, as believers, are on a transformative journey through a world tainted by sin. While every believer I know eagerly anticipates the promises of the Kingdom era, it’s essential not to lose sight of our present responsibilities. There’s significant work to be done in this world, starting with laying aside our own habits and traits that don’t resonate with God’s teachings and then taking up those habits that we’re called to live as disciples.
The Bible often describes the wearing of or removing of garments, as symbolic of the acquisition of good habits or the removal of bad habits respectively.[3]
The verse referencing the removal of ashes from the altar intricately intertwines it with the act of changing garments. At first glance, it appears as if the priest undergoes a single change of attire. However, a deeper, culturally informed reading reveals two distinct transitions. Initially, when commanded to don his garments in Lev 6:10, the priest is understood to wear attire of a relatively lower status compared to what he’d wear for other Temple duties. Subsequently, he changes into yet another set of clothes, even humbler in nature, to carry the ashes outside the Temple. For all other Temple services, he adorns his primary, more exalted attire.
“But the priestly garments in which they would lift the ashes were lowlier than the vestment that he would use for the other services (Lev 6:4)[4]
As seen in 1 Corinthians 3, believers undergo a fiery refinement process. This verse suggests that only what remains after this process enters the Kingdom, with the rest becoming ashes under our feet. When we first come to our Master and begin our process of refinement, Yeshua sets us free from our many sins. Then remaining with the Temple imagery, we are to remove the ashes from the Temple and take them to a clean place outside the Temple.
As believers, we journey through a world filled with those yet to align with God. This path, often threading through profane terrains, demands that we maintain our sanctity, ensuring we remain distinguished. On this journey, we carry with us the sacred ashes—echoes of our past transgressions and symbols of the burdens we’ve shed. These ashes, though remnants of what was consumed, resonate as powerful testimonies of our transformation. They may represent what’s been purged, but they also stand as silent witnesses to our stories of redemption. Even as we navigate the world, symbolized by our changing attire, our essence—our faith and values—remains unaltered. We might walk among the world, but we aren’t defined by it
Removal of the ashes can be seen as aggrandizing the honor of the Temple and to glorify it with all of our ability.
And even though this verse was stated about the removal of the ashes to the outside of the camp, nonetheless also with the lifting of the ashes – which is when he removes it from on the altar and puts it down on the floor next to the altar – we should learn that it also not fitting to do that service with those clothes in which he serves (otherwise).
And it is said about this metaphorically (Shabbat 114a), “He should not mix the cup for his master with the clothes that he cooked the food for his master.[5]“
Yeshua’s earthly journey strikingly epitomizes the delicate balance between worldly engagement and divine faithfulness. Born into the world, He donned the flesh, serving humanity with unparalleled humility. This humility was poignantly exemplified when He set aside His outer garment to wash the feet of His disciples. Even as He embraced the role of a servant, His divine essence remained untainted and consecrated. His journey mirrors our own as believers: we humble ourselves, navigating the world in the metaphorical ‘lowest garments’ of our earthly sojourn. The culmination of Yeshua’s symbolism is evident in His resurrection, where He assumes an imperishable body. Similarly, as our spiritual path elevates us within the Kingdom, we too will be cloaked in exalted garments, reflecting our transformed, resurrected essence.
2 Corinthians 5:4 (ESV)
4 For while we are still in this tent, we groan, being burdened—not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life.