Meaning of Numbers 15:38

This verse from Numbers 15:38, along with its subsequent explanation in verses 39-41, instructs the Israelites to fashion tassels (Hebrew: tzitzit) on the borders of their garments, each adorned with a blue cord. This was not merely a decorative element but a tangible reminder, a visible sign to be worn constantly, designed to prompt the wearer to remember and obey all of God's commandments. The blue cord, often associated with the heavens and divine authority, served as a visual cue to recall God's presence and his covenant with them, preventing them from straying after their own hearts and eyes, which were seen as prone to idolatry and sin.

Context and Background

This commandment is given in the plains of Moab, shortly before the Israelites are to enter the Promised Land. It follows a series of laws concerning sin offerings and sacrifices, emphasizing the need for atonement and obedience. The instruction for tassels is presented as a perpetual ordinance, intended to be observed throughout all generations. This placement suggests that even amidst the anticipation of conquest and settlement, the fundamental principle of remembering and obeying God's law remains paramount. The tassels were to be a constant, personal reminder of their covenant relationship with God.

Key Themes and Messages

• Remembrance: The primary purpose of the tassels is to serve as a memorial. They are a physical object designed to trigger a spiritual awareness of God's commands.
• Obedience: The tassels are directly linked to remembering and obeying "all the commandments of the Lord." They are a visual aid for a life of faithfulness.
• Separation and Sanctification: By wearing these tassels, the Israelites were set apart as God's people, distinguished from the surrounding nations who did not adhere to Yahweh's laws.
• Divine Authority: The blue cord specifically is often interpreted as representing the divine, the heavenly realm, and God's sovereign authority, reminding them that their obedience was to God.

Spiritual Significance and Application

For believers, this commandment points to the importance of intentionally cultivating a life of remembrance and obedience. While the specific physical manifestation of tassels is no longer a direct requirement for Christians, the underlying principle remains vital. It calls for consistent spiritual discipline, whether through prayer, scripture study, or other practices that keep God's Word and will at the forefront of our minds. The goal is to avoid the "wandering heart" and "wandering eyes" that lead to sin and to live a life that honors God in all things.

Relation to the Broader Biblical Narrative

The concept of a visible sign or reminder of God's covenant is a recurring theme in the Bible. Examples include the rainbow after the flood (Genesis 9:12-17), the Passover lamb (Exodus 12), and circumcision (Genesis 17:10-11). The tassels fit within this pattern of tangible expressions of God's relationship with his people, reinforcing their identity and responsibilities. Furthermore, the New Testament's emphasis on the indwelling Holy Spirit as our guide and reminder (John 14:26) can be seen as a fulfillment of the spirit of this commandment, where internal transformation supersedes external markers.

Analogies

One analogy for the tassels is a wedding ring. A wedding ring is a visible symbol that reminds the wearer of their commitment, vows, and the covenant of marriage. Similarly, the tassels were meant to be a constant, visible reminder of the covenant between God and Israel. Another analogy could be a bookmark or a sticky note placed in a crucial passage of a book, prompting the reader to return to that important point. The tassels served as a constant "bookmark" on their lives, directing them back to God's Word.

Relation to Other Verses

• Deuteronomy 6:6-9: This passage instructs Israelites to "bind them (God's words) as a sign on your hand and let them be as frontlets between your eyes; write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates." The tassels are a physical manifestation of this broader command to integrate God's word into every aspect of life.
• Psalm 119:11: "I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you." This verse speaks to the internalizing of God's law, which is the ultimate goal that the external tassels were meant to facilitate.
• Matthew 23:5: Jesus criticizes the Pharisees for making their phylacteries (small boxes containing scripture worn on the head and arm, similar in concept to the tassels as reminders) broad and their tassels large, indicating they performed religious acts for outward show rather than genuine devotion. This highlights the contrast between the intended spiritual purpose of the tassels and their potential misuse for hypocrisy.
• 1 Corinthians 6:19-20: "Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies." This New Testament concept of the believer's body as a temple of the Holy Spirit echoes the idea of being set apart and bearing a visible (though in this case, internal) sign of belonging to God.