Num 15:37-41 | MHM | STEP | The Law Concerning Fringes This section explains a special law God gave to the Israelites about putting fringes on their clothes. The purpose was to help them remember God’s commandments and to keep them from sinning by forgetting what God wanted them to do. The fringes, with a blue cord, were a visible reminder that they were a special people, different from their neighbors, and called to live holy lives. This law also shows us that God wants us to remember His commands and avoid following our own desires and the temptations we see around us (Numbers 15:37-41 ). v. 37-38 : The Lord spoke to Moses and told him to instruct the people of Israel to make fringes on the borders of their garments for all generations, and to attach a blue ribbon to each fringe (Numbers 15:37-38 ). This special sign made the Israelites stand out from other nations. It was a way for them to show that they belonged to God and were not ashamed of Him or His law. Even Jesus wore these fringes, and the Pharisees sometimes made theirs extra long to look more holy (Matthew 9:20 ).

‏ Numbers 15:37-41

The Law Concerning Fringes

This section explains a special law God gave to the Israelites about putting fringes on their clothes. The purpose was to help them remember God’s commandments and to keep them from sinning by forgetting what God wanted them to do. The fringes, with a blue cord, were a visible reminder that they were a special people, different from their neighbors, and called to live holy lives. This law also shows us that God wants us to remember His commands and avoid following our own desires and the temptations we see around us (Numbers 15:37-41 ^a).

v. 37-38: The Lord spoke to Moses and told him to instruct the people of Israel to make fringes on the borders of their garments for all generations, and to attach a blue ribbon to each fringe (Numbers 15:37-38 ^b). This special sign made the Israelites stand out from other nations. It was a way for them to show that they belonged to God and were not ashamed of Him or His law. Even Jesus wore these fringes, and the Pharisees sometimes made theirs extra long to look more holy (Matthew 9:20 ^c).

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v. 39: The fringes were meant to help the people remember all the commandments of the Lord and to obey them . When they looked at the fringes, they would be reminded not to follow their own hearts or eyes, which could lead them into sin and idolatry. The fringes acted like a warning and a reminder to stay loyal to God and not to be led away by their own desires or by copying other nations.

v. 40: God wanted the Israelites to remember and do all His commandments and to be holy to Him . The fringes were not for decoration but to encourage them to live pure and obedient lives. God’s people are called to be different from others by living according to His laws.

v. 41: God reminds them, "I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt to be your God: I am the Lord your God" (Numbers 15:41 ^d). Because God saved them and chose them, they should obey Him out of gratitude and respect. Remembering who God is and what He has done should make us want to keep His commandments too.