The Scofield Bible Commentary, by Cyrus Ingerson Scofield, [1917], at sacred-texts.com
Numbers Chapter 15
wandering
The wilderness was part of the necessary discipline of the redeemed people, but not the years of wandering. The latter were due wholly to the unbelief of the people at Kadesh-barnea. The Red Sea, Marah, Elim, Sinai, were God's ways, in development and discipline, and have, of necessity, their counterpart in Christian experience. The Red Sea speaks of the cross as that which -- death to Christ but life for us -- separates us from Egypt, the world (Gal 6:14) Marah of God's power to turn untoward things into blessings; Elim of God's power to give rest and refreshment by the way; Sinai of God's holiness and our deep inherent evil, the experience of (Rom 7:7-24) So far the path was and is of God. But from Kadesh-barnea to Jordan all save the grace of God toward an unbelieving people, is for warning, not imitation; (Co1 10:1-11); (Heb 3:17-19). There is a present rest of God, of which the Sabbath and Canaan were types, into which believers may, and therefore should, enter by faith (Heb 3:1-4); (Heb 3:16).
When
It is remarkable that just when the people are turning in unbelief from the land, God gives directions for conduct when they shall have entered it. See (Rom 11:29); (Phi 1:6).
atonement
(See Scofield) - (Exo 29:33).
ribband of blue
The ribband of blue. Blue, the heavenly colour, used upon the borders of the priests' garments signified that the servants of God were to be heavenly in obedience and character, and separate from earthly ambitions and desires.