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Numbers 15:37-41

The Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 15:37-41

The Pulpit Commentary · Joseph S. Exell and contributors · Public domain

THE USE AND ABUSE OF MEMORIALS

This law is one of the many illustrations of the minute particulars prescribed by the laws of Moses. We find other illustrations in precepts respecting ploughing (), sowing (), reaping (Le ), threshing (), killing (Le ), cooking (), clothing (), &c. All these laws had certain moral or spiritual significations. The precept respecting the fringes teaches us—

I. THE VALUE OF MEMORIALS.

1. To remind us of spiritual truths. The peculiarity of the Jew's dress was a witness to him that he belonged to "a peculiar people" () separated unto God. Possibly the blue colour (cf. ) was intended to remind him that he belonged to a kingdom of priests.

2. Such memorials are needed because of our treacherous memories, which, like sieves, may let pure water run away, but retain the sediment and rubbish.

3. And they are valuable for the sake of others. The Jews taught that even a blind man must wear the fringe, because others could see it. Strangers may be impressed by our memorial services, even if we are blind to their significance. Our children and their descendants may learn by them. Illustrations—Passover (); altar and stones on Ebal and Gerizim (; ). The Lord's Supper, by which we "show Christ's death till he come."

II. THE DANGER OF THEIR ABUSE.

1. Because of our inveterate tendency to exaggerate the importance of what is external. Hence fringes were "enlarged" () and phylacteries were invented (). The simple supper of the Lord has been developed into the pompous ceremonies of the mass.

2. And thus to stop at the symbol and thereby prevent it. Illustrations—The serpent of brass idolized (); the ark treated as a charm ().

3. And by so doing to "come short" of the promise of salvation which is "in Christ Jesus," who is "the way, and the truth, and the life." Nevertheless, God does not take away symbolic memorials from us, but throws on us the responsibility of using "as not abusing" them.—P.

HOMILIES BY D. YOUNG

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commentaryMatthew Henry on Numbers 15:37-41The people are ordered by the Lord to make fringes on the borders of their garments. The Jews were distinguished from their neighbours in their dress, as well as in their diet, and thus taught not to be conformed to the…Matthew HenrycommentaryThe Law Concerning Fringes. (b. c. 1490.)THE LAW CONCERNING FRINGES. (B. C. 1490.) Provision had been just now made by the law for the pardon of sins of ignorance and infirmity; now here is an expedient provided for the preventing of such sins. They are ordere…Matthew HenrycommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 15:37-40THE FRINGES: EVER-PRESENT REMINDERS I. A NEED TO BE PROVIDED FOR. These numerous and all-important commandments must, if such a thing is possible, be kept continually before the minds of the people. God has already prov…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 15:37-41EXPOSITION THE LAW OF TASSELS (Numbers 15:37-41).Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 15:37-41A DISTINGUISHING MARK OF THE FAITHFUL In the ordinance of the tassels we have at once the height and depth of the old dispensation—the most trivial of outward observances married to the deepest truths and greatest bless…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 15:38Bid them that they make them fringes. צִיצִת, probably tassels. It seems to signify something flower-like and bright, like the blooms on a shrub; the word צִיץ. is applied to the shining plate of gold upon Aaron's head-…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 15:39That ye may look upon it, and remember all the commandments. It was indeed a minute and apparently trivial distinction, and yet such an one as would most surely strike the eye, and through the eye the mind. It was like…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 15:41GOD RECALLS A GREAT DEED AND THE PURPOSE OF IT I. GOD RECALLED A GREAT DEED. I brought you out of the land of Egypt."‘ 1. It was deliverance from a bitter bondage. The Israelites had been making light of it of late, but…Joseph S. Exell and contributors