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. And you will have these tassels to look atThe Hebrew word for "tassels" is "tzitzit," which refers to the fringes or threads attached to the corners of garments. Historically, these tassels served as a physical reminder of God's commandments. Archaeological findings, such as ancient garments with similar fringes, support the historical authenticity of this practice. The visual aspect of "to look at" emphasizes the importance of constant remembrance and mindfulness in one's spiritual walk, encouraging believers to keep God's laws at the forefront of their daily lives. so that you will remember
The act of remembering in Hebrew, "zakar," is not merely a mental exercise but involves a call to action. It implies an active engagement with God's commandments, ensuring that they are not forgotten in the busyness of life. This remembrance is crucial for maintaining a covenant relationship with God, as it continually draws the believer back to His statutes and decrees. all the commandments of the LORD
The phrase "all the commandments" underscores the comprehensive nature of God's law. It is not selective or partial but encompasses the entirety of His instructions. The "LORD" here is "YHWH," the covenant name of God, highlighting His authority and the personal relationship He desires with His people. This comprehensive obedience is a reflection of one's love and devotion to God, as seen throughout the scriptural narrative. that you may obey them
The Hebrew root for "obey" is "shamar," which means to keep, guard, or observe. This implies a careful and diligent adherence to God's commandments. Obedience is not passive but requires active participation and commitment. It is through obedience that believers demonstrate their faith and trust in God's wisdom and sovereignty. and not prostitute yourselves
The term "prostitute" in this context is metaphorical, referring to spiritual unfaithfulness. It draws a parallel between physical infidelity and the act of turning away from God to follow other gods or desires. This imagery is powerful, reminding believers of the seriousness of idolatry and the importance of remaining faithful to God alone. by following your own hearts and eyes
The "heart" and "eyes" are often seen in scripture as the sources of desire and temptation. The warning here is against self-reliance and the pursuit of personal desires that lead away from God's commandments. Historically, the Israelites struggled with this, as seen in their repeated turning to idols. This phrase serves as a caution to prioritize God's will over personal inclinations, aligning one's desires with His divine purpose. 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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