But, what is it - this Nazarite vow? Well, first of all, God says it's a "special vow." In other words, it's a unique and special commitment a Godly man or woman as an offering of themselves to the Lord. It involves a total denial of the flesh and a complete focus on God and His will. God says in verse 2, that it is an act of "setting themselves apart to the Lord."
Here's some biblical examples:
1) God told Samson's parents in Judges 16 that he was to be a Nazarite from his birth to his death!
2) The apostle Paul committed Himself to God under the vow of a Nazarite in Acts 18:18.
3) And, four men did the same with Paul in Acts 21.
The vow of the Nazarite was voluntarily made by those who desired “to separate themselves unto the LORD” (v.2) for a determined season. “All the days of his separation he is holy unto the LORD” (v.8).
Once they made the vow of the Nazarite before the Lord, they were bound by 9 things:
1) Total abstinence from alcoholic drinks. (vs. 2)
2) Total abstinence from eating or drinking anything used for wine making (v.4).
3) Couldn't cut their hair (v.5).
4) Couldn't go near a dead body...even if it was a family member (v.6).
5) Couldn't be defiled by someone or something dying near them - they had to shave their head. (vs.9)
At the conclusion of the vow, the person had to do the following:
6) Offer 3 offerings at the Tabernacle: a burnt offering, a peace offering, a grain offering. (vs.13-17)
7) Shave their head completely at the entrance of the Tabernacle (vs.18)
8) Join the priest in offering up their sacrifices as a "gesture" before the Lord (vs.20)
9) Fulfill any additional promise they made to the Lord. (vs.21)
Apparently, it would seem, the Nazarite himself would determine the length of the vow. Therefore, he decided how great the sacrifice would be.
NOTE: If during the vow period the person was "defiled" in some manner, they had to start all over again! They would have to shave their head and rededicate their life to God. In fact, none of the days before the defilement would even count! (vs.11-12)
In Today's Terms, A Nazarite Vow would be similar to doing the following:
- Totally Set Yourself Apart For God's Glory and Service! One who separates himself to the service of Christ must be willing to give up some of the joys of this life for the sake of the Savior. Christ said, “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself” (Luke 9:23). To serve the Lord fully, you must be willing to deny yourself some of this earth’s pleasures. Sinful pleasures must certainly go. But God may ask you to sacrifice seemingly harmless pleasures for His service. If you really want to serve Him, you must be willing to sacrifice whatever He requires.
- Refrain From Alcoholic Drinks And Any Addictions! God wants us to give up our earthly desires and become totally focused on Him.
- Refrain From Being Like Others In The World! Second, the Nazarite could not cut his hair during the time of separation. If his vow was for a long time, his hair would grow long. He would bear a distinctive feature! God wants us to be "distinct" from the rest of the world! We're to be "dead to the world and alive unto God."
- Refrain From Any And Every Sin! Third, the Nazarite was prohibited from touching any dead body. He must totally separate from death. The entire world is dead in trespasses and sins. In order to serve the Lord with all our hearts, we must follow Christ entirely and turn our backs on the things of this world. Christ told the would-be disciple, “Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead” (Matthew 8:22). To follow Christ requires us to separate from the deadness of this world.
Paul taught this truth in Galatians 6:14 – “But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.” Paul got to the point where the world had no attraction for him. It was dead (“crucified”) to him. We must separate ourselves from the death of this world if we would be true disciples.
The Special Prayer Of Blessing!
It's interesting the ONLY prayer God commands to pray with the exact words so that He might bless someone is found in 6:24-26. Today, in Israel, the Kohanim or descendents of Aaron still pray this prayer. It's a BIG DEAL!!! The priests or Kohanim raise their hands over the people and pray this prayer for a special blessing upon Israel.
Guess what? You and I ought to be praying this prayer over our families! It's God's special prayer of blessing - the ONLY prayer He dictated to Moses and commanded Aaron to pray often.
What would God have you sacrifice for His sake today? Whatever pleasure it may bring you, the joy of obedience is greater still. What shame would He have you take upon yourself? That is your cross. Bear it with thanksgiving and Christ will reward you accordingly. From what, or from whom, would God have you separate? Separate yourself and Christ will be ever so glorious in your sight! May we all separate ourselves to be holy unto the Lord.
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