Vows and Blessings

Have you ever made a vow?  Have you ever made a vow you didn't keep?  People in tight spots often make big promises to get relief.  Follow through is another story...
Our account now moves on from cleansing the camp to providing guidelines to those who want to be especially dedicated to the Lord.  The Nazirite vow was a temporary separation from anything to do with the vine: wine and fermented drink, grapes and raisins.  Also during this separation period, no razor is to be used on the head of the one who vows.  Throughout the period of his separation, the Nazirite is not to go near a dead body because he is consecrated to the Lord.  If someone dies in the presence of a Nazirite, he must shave his head, make offerings and start all over with the vow.  At the end of his time of separation, the Nazirite presents himself to the priest and offers sacrifices and shaves off his hair that was dedicated.

Reading these verses immediately brings to mind the story of Samson in the book of Judges Chapter 13.  Samson was born to deliver the Israelites from the Philistines who oppressed them.  The rules for his life were just like the Nazirite restrictions found in Numbers 6.  However, Samson did not choose to dedicate himself to God and his separation was not temporary, it was a lifelong commitment that God designated for his life before he was born.  Samson broke his vow in a number of ways and did not consistently display the character of a godly man in his lifetime.

The true Nazirite wants to be devoted to the Lord and would be expected to keep the vow he made.  He most likely spent the time of his separation studying the Law and serving others.  This was an unusual vow.  It was not something typical for an Israelite to enter into. It is spoken of as a great favor to their nation that God raised up some of their young men for Nazirites, according to Amos 2:11 . The Nazirites were known in the streets and respected as purer than snow, whiter than milk, Lam. 4:7.  (Matthew Henry)

Nazirites were to drink no wine that they might be an example of self-control and denial of self.  If we are devoted to God, we should not indulge our personal tastes as a sacrifice to the Lord.  That it was reckoned a perfection and praise not to drink wine appears from the instance of the Recabites, Jer. 35:6. They were to drink no wine, that they might be examples of temperance and mortification. (Matthew Henry)

Letting the hair grow causes the Nazirite to stand out as different and also shows a lack of concern for external appearances as he reflects inwardly.  Long hair on a man was counter-cultural.  Our calling to follow the Lord calls us to live counter-culturally.  In this “selfie”, “me first” society, Jesus calls us to die to ourselves, be humble and consider others before ourselves.  If we can remove our focus from ourselves and our appearance, we can honor God with true worship.

The Nazirite offerings were to discharge guilt before a holy God and to thank God for helping the Nazirite to fulfill the vow.  We cannot obey God without His help.  God helps us to fulfill our desires to respect and obey Him.  What do you need God’s help for today? Do you need God’s help just to get through what is going on in your life, or has he called you to take an action that is beyond your abilities and comfort zone?  He is our Refuge, our Strength (Psalm 46:1) and our Comforter (Psalm 23:4, 2 Corinthians 1:3-5.  We can count on the Lord for any help we need.

Just as the Nazirite wants to be separated unto God, we should be looking for ways that we can come aside for a while and be devoted to the Lord to especially delight in Him.  He wants our devotion and longs to spend undistracted time with us.  When was the last time you prayed for more than 5 minutes? Think of a way that you could be more devoted to the Lord.  Write it below.  Daily we should take time to meet with the Lord in His Holy Word but also we should have these special extended times of devotion, like retreats with others or alone.

We should all be looking for ways that we can be closer to God.  It is in the quiet moments alone with our Savior that we can truly be assured of His love and presence.  When I specifically focus on the Lord alone, all kinds of blessings come my way in my relationship to Him, such as: confidence, love, joy, peace, and growth in my character.  I challenge you to set a timer and pray until it goes off.  Start where you feel you can, even if it is 2 minutes!  Every day or so, add 1 or 2 minutes to the time you set.  Before you know it, you will not stop after the timer dings.  You won’t be able to get enough of your Best Friend!  Remember: communication is not just in one direction—make sure to listen for His voice!!

Like a Nazirite, we can sacrifice something for the Lord for a period of time to feel closer to Him as well.  Think about this possibility and ask the Lord to reveal to you what He would suggest.  The story of Samson, the lifelong Nazirite, illustrates the fact that the greatest danger to our holiness and godly power comes from ourselves—from our own pride, hardheartedness, materialism, self-gratification and so on.” (NIV Application Commentary, p. 538)

The Priestly Blessing

Numbers chapter 6 ends with the blessing God teaches to the priests for blessing the people.  These are blessings to ask for God to care for His people, look upon them with favor, be gracious to them, and give them His peace.  This very poetic blessing over all of the community is to purify them and to evoke emotion at the beauty of the blessing and the Love of God behind it.

We all want a blessing.  The priests were honored to be speaking for God. They pronounced this blessing over Israel.  Jacob wrestled with God and would not let go until God blessed him. (Genesis 32:22-30) Jacob (Israel) also pronounced a prophetic blessing over all of his sons before he died. (Genesis 49) 

Jesus began His Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5 with the Beatitudes, saying “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”  When we are poor in spirit, we recognize our own need for a Savior.  This is a blessing.  We cannot do this life on our own and we certainly cannot be holy without the help of our Most Holy God.

God teaches us to pray to Him (Luke 11:2-4).  He also set an example for us throughout His life as He prayed many times each day.  Jesus’ life teaches us that He wants to hear from us.  We want to worship Him and He deserves all our praise.  He also teaches us to pray for ourselves and each other.  This Numbers 6 prayer is for the people to be blessed, favored, covered in grace and filled with peace.  Another time God teaches us to pray, he takes us from acknowledging His position and sovereignty to asking for daily bread, forgiveness, safety from temptation, and deliverance from evil. (Matthew 6:9-13)  He wants to hear from His children and He wants us to ask for little things as well as big.  It never ceases to amaze me that the God of all the universe would hear my prayer for a parking space and bless me with it, but He often does! What seemingly small thing have you asked God for recently that He has delivered?

Thank Him again and tell someone the story.  We honor God when we testify to His good work in our lives.