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Read the Daily Bible Verse – Numbers 15:39 To Strengthen Your Spiritual Journey.
Numbers 15:39 is a verse from the Old Testament that provides significant insight into God‘s instructions for the Israelites as they journeyed through the wilderness. This passage speaks to the importance of remembrance and living according to God’s commands. The following article will explore the context, meaning, and application of Numbers 15:39, along with a conclusion to understand how it relates to our lives today.
The Context of Numbers 15:39 (KJV)
Background of Numbers
The Book of Numbers is the fourth book of the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Bible), written by Moses. It continues the narrative of the Israelites’ journey from Egypt to the promised land of Canaan. This book primarily focuses on the census of the Israelites, laws regarding offerings, sacrifices, and various rules on how the people of God should live, behave, and worship.
The central theme of Numbers is God’s faithfulness, the people’s disobedience, and the holiness required to be in relationship with God. Through Numbers, we see the importance of obedience and how the Israelites were to live as God’s holy people, distinct from the nations around them.
In Numbers 15, we find God providing instructions for the Israelites on how to maintain their purity and holiness while in the wilderness. The chapter addresses various aspects of their worship and obedience, including the laws regarding sin offerings, intentional sins, and unintentional sins. This chapter also contains God’s command for the Israelites to wear tassels on their garments as a reminder to follow His laws.
The Preceding Verses
Before Numbers 15:39, God had been speaking to the Israelites through Moses about the importance of keeping His commandments. God provides detailed guidelines on how to approach sin, particularly the difference between unintentional and intentional sins. The chapter also talks about the importance of the Sabbath, including the punishment for breaking it, and introduces the law of wearing fringes or tassels on their garments to remind them of God’s commandments. These fringes were to be a visual reminder to the Israelites that they were a holy people, set apart to serve God.
Numbers 15:39 directly follows the instructions about wearing the tassels, expanding on their purpose and significance for the Israelites.
Numbers 15:39 (KJV)
Here is the verse in King James Version:
Numbers 15:39 (KJV):
“And it shall be unto you for a fringe, that ye may look upon it, and remember all the commandments of the Lord, and do them; and that ye seek not after your own heart and your own eyes, after which ye use to go a whoring:”
This verse is part of the continuation of the command to wear the tassels (or fringes) on the corners of their garments. God explains that these tassels will serve as a physical reminder of His commandments and a safeguard against the temptation of sin.
Numbers 15:39 Meaning
The Purpose of the Fringes (Tassels)
In Numbers 15:39, God explains the purpose of the fringes on the Israelites’ garments. The first part of the verse says that the fringes are to serve as a reminder. The Israelites were instructed to look at these tassels and be reminded of God’s commandments and to follow them. This was not just about an outward show but about keeping the laws of God in their hearts and minds, guiding their daily decisions.
The physical act of wearing the fringes was a visible reminder for the people of God to remain faithful and obedient to Him. This was especially important as they wandered in the wilderness, where they could easily be distracted by the surrounding nations or lose sight of the holiness they were called to maintain. God wanted them to remain faithful, and these tassels were a tool for helping them do so.
“Do Them” – The Call to Obedience
The second part of the verse says, “and remember all the commandments of the Lord, and do them.” This part highlights the active nature of the Israelites’ obedience. It wasn’t enough for the Israelites just to remember God’s commandments—they were expected to do them. The fringes were a reminder that they were called to live out the commandments, not merely to recall them in their minds. True obedience requires action—a life of doing what God has commanded.
This call to active obedience is relevant for us today as Christians. It’s not enough to know God’s Word; we must live according to it. James 1:22 reminds us, “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.”
The Warning Against Idolatry and Temptation
The latter part of the verse warns the Israelites not to follow “your own heart and your own eyes” or go “a whoring.” This refers to spiritual unfaithfulness, which is often depicted in Scripture as idolatry or adultery against God. God warns the Israelites to guard their hearts and not give in to the temptations of their own desires or the allure of the pagan practices of the nations around them.
The phrase “seek not after your own heart and your own eyes” is a reminder that human desires are often prone to sin, and the Israelites needed to stay vigilant in their worship of God. They were to resist the temptation to follow worldly pleasures or idols, as these would lead them away from God.
This warning speaks to our own struggles with temptation and idolatry. Just as the Israelites were warned against giving in to their own desires, we are called to focus on God’s will and guard our hearts from the idols of modern life, such as wealth, fame, and self-indulgence. Proverbs 4:23 teaches, “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.”
Numbers 15:39 Application in Life
A Reminder to Stay Focused on God’s Commands
For us today, Numbers 15:39 teaches the importance of reminding ourselves of God’s Word. Just as the Israelites had the fringes on their garments to remind them of God’s commandments, we should find ways to keep God’s Word ever before us. This could include meditating on Scripture, wearing symbols of faith, or having visual reminders in our homes or workplaces. Whatever we can do to keep God’s Word in our hearts and minds will help us to live obediently.
Actively Obeying God’s Word
The verse calls us to actively obey God’s commands. Obedience isn’t passive; it requires intentional action. As Christians, we are called to live out the principles in God’s Word in every aspect of our lives. This means loving others, seeking justice, pursuing holiness, and sharing the gospel. It’s easy to know God’s commands but harder to live them out. However, we are empowered by the Holy Spirit to live in a way that pleases God.
Guarding Against Temptation
The warning in Numbers 15:39 to avoid following our own hearts and eyes speaks to the dangers of idolatry and temptation. In our modern world, there are many distractions and temptations that can lead us away from God. We are constantly bombarded with messages that encourage us to follow our own desires or worship material things. As Christians, we must be vigilant in guarding our hearts from these influences.
This verse encourages us to keep our focus on God and His Word. It calls us to resist the allure of sin and to seek satisfaction in God alone. 1 John 2:16 reminds us, “For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.”
Living Set Apart
Just as the Israelites were set apart as God’s people, we, too, are called to live differently from the world. 1 Peter 2:9 tells us, “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” We are called to be distinct from the world, living according to God’s commands, and standing firm in our faith, even when tempted by the values of the surrounding culture.
Conclusion
In Numbers 15:39, we find a powerful reminder about the importance of obedience, remembrance, and guarding against temptation. The tassels were a physical symbol for the Israelites to remember God’s commands and actively follow them. Likewise, we are called to keep God’s Word close and allow it to shape our thoughts, actions, and decisions. We must be intentional about living out God’s commands, remembering that obedience is an active choice, not a passive one.
Moreover, this passage warns us about the dangers of idolatry and the temptation to follow our own desires rather than God’s will. As believers, we must guard our hearts and remain faithful to God, resisting the pull of worldly temptations. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we can live in a way that reflects God’s holiness, showing the world that we are His people, set apart for His glory.
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