These will serve as tassels for you to look at, so that you may remember all the commandments of the LORD, that you may obey them and not prostitute yourselves by following your own heart and your own eyes. These will serve as tassels for you to look atThe tassels, or "tzitzit," were physical reminders for the Israelites. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, clothing often had symbolic meanings, and the addition of tassels was a distinct feature for the Israelites. The tassels were to be placed on the corners of their garments, as instructed in Numbers 15:38. This practice set them apart from surrounding nations and served as a constant visual cue to remember their covenant with God. The tassels were a tangible representation of their identity as God's chosen people. so that you may remember all the commandments of the LORD
The purpose of the tassels was to prompt the Israelites to recall the commandments given by God. This reflects the importance of memory in maintaining faithfulness to God's laws. The commandments were central to the covenant relationship between God and Israel, and remembering them was crucial for living a life that honored God. This concept of remembrance is echoed in Deuteronomy 6:6-9, where the Israelites are instructed to keep God's words in their hearts and teach them diligently to their children. that you may obey them
Obedience to God's commandments was a fundamental expectation for the Israelites. The tassels served as a reminder not just to remember the commandments but to act on them. Obedience was a demonstration of their faith and commitment to God. In the New Testament, Jesus emphasizes the importance of obedience in John 14:15, where He says, "If you love Me, you will keep My commandments." This continuity underscores the timeless nature of obedience in the life of a believer. and not prostitute yourselves by following your own heart and your own eyes
The phrase warns against spiritual unfaithfulness, likening it to prostitution. In biblical terms, idolatry and turning away from God were often described as acts of unfaithfulness or adultery. The heart and eyes are symbolic of desires and temptations that lead one away from God's path. This warning is consistent with the broader biblical narrative, where the heart is seen as deceitful (Jeremiah 17:9) and the eyes as gateways to temptation (Matthew 5:28). The call is to remain faithful to God, resisting the lure of personal desires that conflict with His commandments. Persons / Places / Events 1. The IsraelitesThe chosen people of God, who were given the law and commandments to follow as a covenant with God. 2. Tassels (Tzitzit)Fringes or tassels that were to be worn on the corners of garments as a physical reminder of God's commandments. 3. The LORD (Yahweh)The covenant-keeping God who gave the commandments to the Israelites. 4. The WildernessThe setting where the Israelites received the law and wandered for 40 years. 5. MosesThe leader of the Israelites who conveyed God's laws and instructions to the people. Teaching Points The Importance of RemindersJust as the Israelites had physical reminders of God's commandments, we should find ways to keep God's word at the forefront of our lives. Guarding Against IdolatryThe warning against following one's own heart and eyes serves as a reminder to prioritize God's will over personal desires. Obedience to God's CommandmentsTrue obedience involves both remembering and acting upon God's commandments, not merely external displays of piety. The Role of Symbols in FaithSymbols like the tassels can serve as powerful tools for spiritual reflection and commitment when used with the right heart. Heart and EyesThe heart and eyes can lead us astray; therefore, we must align them with God's truth and guidance. Bible Study Questions 1. How can we incorporate reminders of God's commandments into our daily lives in a way that is meaningful and not merely ritualistic? 2. In what ways do our "hearts and eyes" lead us away from God's commandments today, and how can we guard against this? 3. How does the concept of wearing tassels as a reminder compare to modern Christian practices of remembering God's word? 4. What are some practical ways to ensure that our obedience to God is genuine and not just for outward appearances? 5. How can we apply the principle of trusting in God's commandments over our own understanding in our current life situations? Connections to Other Scriptures Deuteronomy 6:4-9This passage emphasizes the importance of remembering and teaching God's commandments, similar to the purpose of the tassels in Numbers 15:39. Matthew 23:5Jesus criticizes the Pharisees for their hypocrisy, noting their use of large tassels to appear pious, which connects to the original purpose of the tassels as a reminder of genuine obedience. Psalm 119:11Highlights the importance of hiding God's word in one's heart to avoid sin, paralleling the reminder function of the tassels. Proverbs 3:5-6Encourages trust in the Lord rather than one's own understanding, aligning with the warning against following one's own heart and eyes in Numbers 15:39. Galatians 5:16-17Discusses living by the Spirit rather than following the desires of the flesh, echoing the call to obedience in Numbers 15:39. People Aaron, Ephah, Israelites, MosesPlaces Egypt, Wilderness of ParanTopics Astray, A-whoring, Commandments, Commands, Desires, Follow, Fringe, Guided, Harlot, Heart, Hearts, Inclined, Lusts, Mind, Obey, Orders, Ornaments, Play, Played, Prostitute, Remember, Remembered, Search, Seek, Tassel, Untrue, Wantonly, Whoring, YourselvesDictionary of Bible Themes Numbers 15:39 5014 heart, human
5149 eyes Numbers 15:37-39 8764 forgetting God Numbers 15:38-40 8467 reminders Numbers 15:38-41 7462 tassel Numbers 15:39-40 8218 consecration Library List of Abbreviations Used in Reference to Rabbinic Writings Quoted in this Work.
THE Mishnah is always quoted according to Tractate, Chapter (Pereq) and Paragraph (Mishnah), the Chapter being marked in Roman, the paragraph in ordinary Numerals. Thus Ber. ii. 4 means the Mishnic Tractate Berakhoth, second Chapter, fourth Paragraph. The Jerusalem Talmud is distinguished by the abbreviation Jer. before the name of the Tractate. Thus, Jer. Ber. is the Jer. Gemara, or Talmud, of the Tractate Berakhoth. The edition, from which quotations are made, is that commonly used, Krotoschin, …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the MessiahWe are Drawing Near the End, and to the Highest Conclusions of True Human Wisdom...
We are drawing near the end, and to the highest conclusions of true human wisdom; and full of deepest interest it is to mark the character of these conclusions. Reason speaks; that faculty that is rightly termed divine, for its possession marks those who are "the offspring of God." He is the Father of spirits, and it is in the spirit that Reason has her seat; whilst in our Preacher she is enthroned, and now with authority utters forth her counsels. Here we may listen to just how far she can …
F. C. Jennings—Old Groans and New Songs Seventh Day. Holiness and Obedience.
Ye have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles' wings, and brought you unto myself. Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: ye shall be unto me an holy nation.'--Ex. xix. 4-6. Israel has reached Horeb. The law is to be given and the covenant made. Here are God's first words to the people; He speaks of redemption and its blessing, fellowship with Himself: 'Ye have seen how I brought …
Andrew Murray—Holy in Christ The Healing of the Woman - Christ's Personal Appearance - the Raising of Jairus' Daughter
THERE seems remarkable correspondence between the two miracles which Jesus had wrought on leaving Capernaum and those which He did on His return. In one sense they are complementary to each other. The stilling of the storm and the healing of the demonised were manifestations of the absolute power inherent in Christ; the recovery of the woman and the raising of Jairus' daughter, evidence of the absolute efficacy of faith. The unlikeliness of dominion over the storm, and of command over a legion of …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah Among the People, and with the Pharisees
It would have been difficult to proceed far either in Galilee or in Judaea without coming into contact with an altogether peculiar and striking individuality, differing from all around, and which would at once arrest attention. This was the Pharisee. Courted or feared, shunned or flattered, reverently looked up to or laughed at, he was equally a power everywhere, both ecclesiastically and politically, as belonging to the most influential, the most zealous, and the most closely-connected religions …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life Degrees of Sin
Are all transgressions of the law equally heinous? Some sins in themselves, and by reason of several aggravations, are more heinous in the sight of God than others. He that delivered me unto thee, has the greater sin.' John 19: 11. The Stoic philosophers held that all sins were equal; but this Scripture clearly holds forth that there is a gradual difference in sin; some are greater than others; some are mighty sins,' and crying sins.' Amos 5: 12; Gen 18: 21. Every sin has a voice to speak, but some …
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments The Worship of the Synagogue
One of the most difficult questions in Jewish history is that connected with the existence of a synagogue within the Temple. That such a "synagogue" existed, and that its meeting-place was in "the hall of hewn stones," at the south-eastern angle of the court of the priest, cannot be called in question, in face of the clear testimony of contemporary witnesses. Considering that "the hall of hew stones" was also the meeting-place for the great Sanhedrim, and that not only legal decisions, but lectures …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life Jesus' Last Public Discourse. Denunciation of Scribes and Pharisees.
(in the Court of the Temple. Tuesday, April 4, a.d. 30.) ^A Matt. XXIII. 1-39; ^B Mark XII. 38-40; ^C Luke XX. 45-47. ^a 1 Then spake Jesus ^b 38 And in his teaching ^c in the hearing of all the people he said unto ^a the multitudes, and to his disciples [he spoke in the most public manner], 2 saying, ^c 46 Beware of the scribes, ^a The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses' seat: 3 all things whatsoever they bid you, these do and observe: but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not. …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel Jesus Heals on the Sabbath Day and Defends his Act.
(at Feast-Time at Jerusalem, Probably the Passover.) ^D John V. 1-47. ^d 1 After these things there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. [Though every feast in the Jewish calendar has found some one to advocate its claim to be this unnamed feast, yet the vast majority of commentators choose either the feast of Purim, which came in March, or the Passover, which came in April. Older commentators pretty unanimously regarded it as the Passover, while the later school favor the feast …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel The Third Day in Passion-Week - the Last Controversies and Discourses - the Sadducees and the Resurrection - the Scribe and the Great Commandment - Question
THE last day in the Temple was not to pass without other temptations' than that of the Priests when they questioned His authority, or of the Pharisees when they cunningly sought to entangle Him in His speech. Indeed, Christ had on this occasion taken a different position; He had claimed supreme authority, and thus challenged the leaders of Israel. For this reason, and because at the last we expect assaults from all His enemies, we are prepared for the controversies of that day. We remember that, …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah Numbers
Like the last part of Exodus, and the whole of Leviticus, the first part of Numbers, i.-x. 28--so called,[1] rather inappropriately, from the census in i., iii., (iv.), xxvi.--is unmistakably priestly in its interests and language. Beginning with a census of the men of war (i.) and the order of the camp (ii.), it devotes specific attention to the Levites, their numbers and duties (iii., iv.). Then follow laws for the exclusion of the unclean, v. 1-4, for determining the manner and amount of restitution …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Numbers 15:39 NIVNumbers 15:39 NLTNumbers 15:39 ESVNumbers 15:39 NASBNumbers 15:39 KJV
Numbers 15:39 Commentaries
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