Numbers 6 ORDER FOR SEPARATED PEOPLE When a person of the nation of Israel wanted to experience a higher degree of communion with God, they had the choice of taking voluntarily upon themselves the vow of the Nazarite. The word "Nazarite" means to separate or be separate. It may have been that a person was going to take a new role in leadership or some other service for God that prompted one to take this vow. This desire was not to be taken lightly by anyone because the vow is between the individual and God. When one takes a vow, it is important that the terms of the vow be kept. "It is better not to vow, than to vow and not pay." A person taking the vow of a Nazarite was deliberately setting himself apart from others in a literal way in order to fulfill the terms of his vow.
There would be a number of reasons why a person would want to take this vow. There is the commitment to holiness on the part of an individual that demands separation from all that is going on around us. Character development would be a result of separating from peer pressure. There would be no doubt some specific goals rather than just a general personal interest. Vows were made to God as a promise in response a favor God had showed him. Involved in making vows of separation is worship, celebration for some particular reason, thanksgiving for benefits and dedication for a purpose. Whatever were the reasons, the vow was voluntary but when made, they were binding.
In the Nazarite himself there would be external evidence that 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 during the time the vows were upon him. This was a sign of personal humiliation to a man living at that time. 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 have to ask myself, "What do I really want from my Christian life? Am I willing to sanctify myself in order to serve God?" The standard of morality and conduct in a Christian's life is high. It is a divine standard. The Lord Jesus Christ sanctified Himself. He made Himself of now reputation. He was wholly consecrated to "do always the Father's will." I need to ask myself also, "Do I demand my rights or am I willing to surrender them? What really is the purpose of my life?" When I know who I am before God, and desire to please Him, I won't be involved in trying to split hairs to see what is allowed and what is not allowed. When one is consecrated to God this does not affect our eternal security, but it does affect our communion with God. Self has to be judged and the demands of self have to be forsaken in order to have the fellowship and joy of communion. The Lord Jesus said He would not drink of 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 be over.
At the conclusion of the days of the Nazarite vow, there was a specific procedure to follow. The doves or pigeons were brought to the priest. Holiness was in view even as the burnt offering, the value of Christ to God, was offered. Then the sin offering was made, the value of Christ to us. The trespass offering was for the value of Christ for the sins we have committed. The meal offering and drink offering indicates the fellowship we have with God. The Nazarite brought all of these and also whatever else he could afford to give to the Lord. It was an expensive act on his part on his part but his appreciation shown to God was worth whatever cost it involved. It is never right to try to save 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 wasted time that can never be recovered.
What a wonderful blessing God gave Moses to bless the children of Israel with!! Like a benediction, but much more, were the words he said. These words were a blessing to live by daily. In the Hebrew language the first lines composed three words. The second line is made up of five Hebrews words and the third line of seven Hebrew words, seven being the number of completion as a way to bring peace.
The first line of the blessing is that God would favor and protect His people with His own oversight and personal guardianship. The second line of the blessing was that God would be pleased with His people and His grace, mercy and compassion to be real to them in each day of their life. Then the next part of this blessing was that God would give His approval to His people in a way that would give them His peace. God's keeping power was in this blessing. His personal presence with His people is in 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 are able today to live in the good of these wonderful blessings given so long ago to His earthly people. The children of Israel will appreciate this even more in the day of His appearing.