Numbers 15:40 Study Bible: that you may remember and do all my commandments, and be holy to your God.

◄ Numbers 15:40 ►

Then you will remember and obey all My commandments, and you will be holy to your God.

Then you will remember
This phrase emphasizes the act of recalling or bringing to mind. In the Hebrew context, the word for "remember" is "זָכַר" (zakar), which implies not just a mental recollection but an active, purposeful remembering that leads to action. In the biblical narrative, remembering is often tied to covenantal faithfulness. The Israelites are called to remember God's commandments as a way to maintain their relationship with Him. This act of remembering is not passive but involves a conscious effort to align one's life with God's will.

all My commandments
The term "commandments" in Hebrew is "מִצְוֹת" (mitzvot), which refers to the laws and decrees given by God. These commandments are not arbitrary rules but are designed to guide the Israelites in living a life that reflects God's holiness and righteousness. The use of "all" underscores the comprehensive nature of God's law, indicating that every commandment is significant and worthy of adherence. This phrase calls believers to a holistic obedience, recognizing that each commandment is a part of God's divine plan for His people.

and you will be holy
The concept of holiness is central to the identity of the Israelites. The Hebrew word for "holy" is "קָדוֹשׁ" (kadosh), which means set apart or consecrated. Holiness is not merely a state of being but a dynamic process of becoming more like God in character and action. This phrase suggests that obedience to God's commandments is intrinsically linked to the pursuit of holiness. It is through living out God's laws that the Israelites are set apart from other nations and reflect God's nature.

to your God
This phrase personalizes the relationship between the Israelites and God. The use of "your" indicates a covenantal bond, where God is not just a distant deity but a personal God who has chosen Israel as His people. The Hebrew word for God here is "אֱלֹהִים" (Elohim), which, while often used to denote God's power and majesty, also conveys a sense of relational intimacy. This relationship is foundational to the identity of the Israelites, and their holiness is a response to the covenantal love and faithfulness of their God.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Moses
The leader of the Israelites who received the laws and commandments from God to instruct the people.

2. Israelites
The chosen people of God, who were given the commandments to follow as part of their covenant relationship with Him.

3. Wilderness
The setting where the Israelites received the commandments, representing a time of testing and reliance on God.

4. God (Yahweh)
The divine lawgiver who established the commandments as a means for His people to live in holiness.

5. Commandments
The laws given by God to the Israelites, serving as a guide for holy living and a reminder of their covenant with Him.

Teaching Points

The Importance of Remembrance
Remembering God's commandments is crucial for maintaining a faithful relationship with Him. It serves as a constant reminder of His will and our commitment to live according to His standards.

Obedience as an Act of Worship
Obeying God's commandments is not merely a duty but an act of worship. It reflects our love and reverence for God, acknowledging His authority in our lives.

Holiness as a Distinctive Mark
Holiness sets God's people apart from the world. By living according to His commandments, we demonstrate our unique identity as His chosen people.

The Role of the Holy Spirit
In the New Covenant, the Holy Spirit empowers believers to remember and obey God's commandments, guiding us into all truth and enabling us to live holy lives.

Community Accountability
The call to remember and obey is not just individual but communal. As a body of believers, we are to encourage and hold each other accountable in our walk with God.

Bible Study Questions

1. How does the command to remember and obey God's commandments in Numbers 15:40 apply to our daily lives today?

2. In what ways can we actively remember God's commandments in a world full of distractions?

3. How does the call to holiness in Numbers 15:40 relate to the New Testament teachings on holiness?

4. What role does community play in helping us remember and obey God's commandments?

5. How can we rely on the Holy Spirit to empower us to live out the principles found in Numbers 15:40?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Deuteronomy 6:4-9
This passage emphasizes the importance of remembering and teaching God's commandments, similar to the reminder in Numbers 15:40.

Leviticus 11:44-45
These verses highlight the call to holiness, echoing the command to be holy as God is holy, which is a central theme in Numbers 15:40.

John 14:15
Jesus speaks about the connection between love and obedience to His commandments, reflecting the principle of obedience found in Numbers 15:40.

1 Peter 1:15-16
Peter reiterates the call to holiness for believers, drawing from the Old Testament command to be holy.

Psalm 119:11
The psalmist speaks of hiding God's word in the heart to avoid sin, aligning with the call to remember and obey God's commandments.

Sermons

The Fringes: Ever-Present Reminders	D. Young	Numbers 15:37-40
The Use and Abuse of Memorials	E.S. Prout	Numbers 15:37-41
Association	H. W. Beecher.	Numbers 15:38-40
Remembrancers	H. W. Beecher.	Numbers 15:38-40
The Law of the Fringe and Ribband	Henry, Matthew	Numbers 15:38-40
The Ordinance of the Fringes	W. Jones.	Numbers 15:38-40
The Ribband of Blue	J. Bayley, Ph. D.	Numbers 15:38-40

People

Aaron, Ephah, Israelites, Moses

Places

Egypt, Wilderness of Paran

Topics

Commandments, Commands, Consecrated, Holy, Mind, Obey, Orders, Remember

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Numbers 15:38-40

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 Messiah

We 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

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