Walking Through Ephesians
“Day 6 (Numbers 6)”
Categories: 40 Days in the WildernessThe Nazarite Vow
Number chapter 6 gives instruction about the Nazarite vow and what the priest was to offer to the Lord.
At first, it may seem that this would have no practical value for us. But, there are a few things that stand out in this narrative.
First, is the idea of the Nazarite. He was to separate himself with a view to be holy as the Lord is holy. They did not isolate themselves from the rest of the world but were living testimony of the importance of living in total devotion to the Lord. The Nazarite vow had both positive and negative aspects. Positively, it meant being devoted to God. Negatively, it meant abstaining from things God did not allow. There were three responsibilities. First, they were not to drink wine, grape juice, vinegar, or fermented drinks, nor, were they allowed to eat grapes, raisins or even the skin and seeds of the grapes. Second, they had to let their hair grow as a sign they were devoted especially to God. Third, they were never to touch a corpse, even that of a close relative.
If they defiled themselves God a remedy for them to rededicate themselves to Him and make a new beginning. Nazarites who successfully completed their period of dedication came with their sacrifices to the priest and offered them to the Lord.
We are encouraged to separate ourselves from that which is unholy and unclean. We are called to come out of the world and separate ourselves from the world (2 Cor. 6:14-18). Why? So that we may be holy as the Lord is holy (1Pet. 1:16). If we defile ourselves God has a remedy (1John 1:7- 2:2).
Second, is the promise of God to bless them. When He calls us to come out from the unclean thing and separate ourselves, He also promises, “Then I will be your Father and You shall be my sons and daughters.
We are priests today (1Pet. 2:9). Shouldn’t we learn the lesson of the Nazarite and priest? There are some things that simply are not fit for priestly people (Eph., 5:1-3). Our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. So, let’s keep our bodies and minds pure so that His temple is not to be polluted by the unclean things of the world.
