ORDER FOR SEPARATED PEOPLE. Numbers 6 The dedication of a person who has placed their faith in God and trusted in the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Savior should define their life and service throughout their years. Committing oneself to God is not easy. The example of a dedicated person sets a standard for those who know that individual and believe they are genuine and consistent in their faith.
To be consecrated as a Nazarite meant that an Israelite would abstain from any fruit of the vine and any kind of strong drink that could influence their behavior and speech. The uncut hair of someone who took the Nazarite vow identified them as someone who had voluntarily dedicated themselves to the Lord for a specific reason. It was not to attract attention, as Absalom did. They also refrained from touching anything that could defile them or others. Most Nazarite vows lasted for a specific purpose and time, although Samson was a Nazarite for his entire life.
When a person from the nation of Israel wanted to experience a deeper connection with God, they could voluntarily take the vow of the Nazarites. The word "Nazarite" means to separate or be set apart. It’s possible that someone would take this vow because they were stepping into a new leadership role or service for God. This desire should not be taken lightly, as the vow is between the individual and God. When someone makes a vow, it’s crucial to keep the terms of that vow. "It is better not to vow than to vow and not pay." A person who takes the vow of a Nazarite intentionally sets themselves apart from others in a literal way to fulfill their commitment.
There are several reasons why a person might choose to take this vow. It represents a commitment to holiness that requires an individual to separate from everything happening around them. Character development often results from this separation from peer pressure. Clearly, some specific goals typically motivate the vow, rather than just a general personal interest. Vows were made to God as a promise in response to a favor He had shown. Making vows of separation involves worship, a celebration for a particular reason, thanksgiving for blessings, and dedication to a purpose. Whatever the reasons, the vow was voluntary, but once made, it was binding.
In the Nazarite himself, external evidence could easily be seen by those around. He would drink no wine nor eat anything that came from a grapevine. That would testify to the fact his joy was not mere human joy but that he was finding his joy in God. He could not cut his hair or shave when the vows were upon him. This was a sign of personal humiliation to a man living then. During the duration of the vow, he would not be allowed to touch a dead body either by choice or by accident. If that happened for any reason, the vow was canceled, and he had to start over again. Defilement is not always a deliberate act on the part of an individual, but we are defiled at times by what goes on around us.
I must ask myself, "What do I truly want from my Christian life? Am I willing to sanctify myself to serve God?" The moral and conduct standards for a Christian are high. They are divine standards. The Lord Jesus Christ sanctified Himself. He made Himself of no reputation. He was fully dedicated to "do always the Father's will." I also need to ask myself, "Do I demand my rights, or am I willing to surrender them? What is the true purpose of my life?" When I understand who I am before God and want to please Him, I won't get caught up in splitting hairs over what is and isn't permitted.
When a person is dedicated to God, it does not impact our eternal security but our fellowship with God. The self must be judged, and self-demands have to be abandoned to experience the fellowship and joy of communion. The Lord Jesus said He would not drink the fruit of the vine until He comes in His glory and sits on David's throne over Israel. His days of separation from Israel will then end.
At the end of the Nazarite vow days, a specific process was followed. The priest received the doves or pigeons. Holiness was emphasized as the burnt offering, representing Christ's value to God, was presented. Next, the sin offering was made, symbolizing Christ's value to us. The trespass offering reflected Christ's value for our sins. The meal and drink offerings represented the fellowship we share with God.
The Nazarite presented all of these and whatever else he could afford to give to the Lord. It was an expensive act on his part, but his gratitude to God was worth any cost involved. It is never right to try to hold back what we have when we are offering to God. A frugal offering is more of an insult than a blessing. A backslider can be restored to fellowship with God, but time spent out of fellowship with Him is time wasted that can never be regained.
Our relationship with our Lord must be taken seriously. When someone willingly dedicates themselves to God, the practices of a devoted believer must align with the mind and will of God as revealed in the scriptures. Serving God by abstaining from legitimate things is a privilege for Christians today. It’s not that God demands this kind of sacrifice from a person, but He desires the special fellowship of a willing-hearted person who will set aside what is good to focus on what is best.
What a wonderful blessing God gave Moses to bless the children of Israel with! It was like a benediction, but the words he spoke carried even more significance. These words serve as a blessing to live by every day. In the Hebrew language, the first line consists of three words. The second line has five Hebrew words, and the third line contains seven Hebrew words, with seven symbolizing completion, which is a way to bring peace.
The first part of the blessing is that God would favor and protect His people with His own oversight and personal guardianship. The second part of the blessing is that God would be pleased with His people, and His grace, mercy, and compassion would be real to them each day of their lives. Then, the next part of this blessing is that God would give His approval to His people in a way that would bring them His peace. God's keeping power is involved in this blessing. His personal presence with His people is part of this benediction. Eye contact with them would be seen when we look at Him by faith, and the peace He has He would give to His own people.
The Lord Jesus Christ did this Himself shortly before He died, and we can still benefit from these wonderful blessings given so long ago to His earthly people. The children of Israel will value this even more on the day of His appearance.