MAKING A NAZIRITE VOW

Numbers 6:1-21 / Keywords 6:2

"Speak to the Israelites and say to them: 'If a man or woman wants to make a special vow, a vow of separation to the LORD as a Nazirite,

 

1. The Lord set up a way for his people to offer themselves to him. The Nazirite vow was one of special dedication to God. It involved abstaining from anything to do with grapes. It involved not cutting one’s hair. It also meant not going near a dead body. In every way, the Nazirite was to be consecrated to the Lord. In the event someone died in their presence, the Nazirite was considered defiled and sinful. The prescription was preparing a sin offering, shaving their head, and essentially beginning the process again. The vow was that solemn and sacred before the Lord.

 

2. At the end of the time period, there was a formal acknowledgement where offerings to the Lord were presented. The Nazirite then shaved his or her head to symbolize the dedication, after which they could again drink wine. It seems that Samson, John the Baptist, and Paul were among those who took the Nazirite vow.

 

Prayer Lord, help me to live as one dedicated to the Lord. Help me to trust in your forgiveness and acceptance of those who offer themselves to you.

One Word Dedicated to the Lord