JUNE 19, 2015
Look at the
Tassels
Remember
all the commandments of the Lord and do them. —Numbers 15:39
Read:
Numbers 15:37-41
Best-selling author Chaim Potok began his novel The Chosen by
describing a baseball game between two Jewish teams in New York City. Reuven Malter, the book’s main character,
notices that the opposing players’ uniforms have a unique accessory—four long
ropelike tassels that extend below each teammate’s shirt. Reuven recognizes the
tassels as a sign of strict obedience to God’s Old Testament laws.
The history of these fringes—known as tzitzit—began with a
message from God. Through Moses, God told His people to create tassels
containing some strands of blue thread and attach them to the four corners of
their top garments (Num. 15:38). God said, “You may look upon [the tassels] and
remember all the commandments of the Lord and do them” (v. 39).
God’s memory device for the ancient Israelites has a parallel
for us today. We can look at Christ who consistently kept the whole law in our
place and obeyed His heavenly Father (John 8:29). Having received His work on
our behalf, we now “put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the
flesh, to fulfill its lusts” (Rom. 13:14). Keeping our eyes on God’s Son helps
us to honor our heavenly Father.
Dear Jesus, thank You for being my spiritual role model. Help me
to walk in Your steps so that I can honor and obey God with the Holy Spirit’s
help.
If Christ is the center of your life, you’ll always be
focused on Him.
INSIGHT:
After Pharaoh set the
Jews free from slavery (Ex. 12:28-33), he immediately had a change of heart and
summoned his elite army to recapture them (14:5-9). Although God had
overwhelmingly demonstrated His great power through the 10 plagues (Ex. 7–11),
the Jews chose not to trust in Him. Terrified, they accused Moses of deceiving
them and leading them into the wilderness to die (14:11-12). But Moses
encouraged them not to be afraid and to be still and trust the Lord (vv.
13-14). God was faithful and saved them from Pharaoh’s army (vv. 21-23), and He
continued to provide for them during their 40 years in the wilderness.
Source: Our Daily Bread 2015
