Commentators highlight that the ashes were gathered and stored for long-term use, mixed with water as needed. This wasn't a one-time ritual but a lasting provision for ongoing purification. This powerfully illustrates the perpetual and daily cleansing available to believers through the one-time sacrifice of Jesus. As Charles Spurgeon notes, the ashes of a single heifer could last a very long time, symbolizing the enduring merit of Christ's work.