JOTS FROM OLD JAKE
THE NAZIRITE VOW:
Thursday, Jun. 21, 2007 - 2:44 p.m.
Numbers 6 lays out the rules and consequences of breaking this vow. The definition below puts it in simple form.
�NAZIRITE:
(HEB. FORM Nazirite), the name of such Israelites as took on them the vow prescribed in Numbers 6:2-21. The word denotes generally one who is separated from others and consecrated to God. Although there is no mention of any Nazirite before Samson, yet it is evident that they existed before the time of Moses. The vow of a Nazirite involved these three things,
(1.) abstinence from wine and strong drink,
(2.) refraining from cutting the hair off the head during the whole period of the continuance of the vow, and
(3.) the avoidance of contact with the dead.
When the period of the continuance of the vow came to an end, the Nazirite had to present himself at the door of the sanctuary with
(1.) a he lamb of the first year for a burnt offering,
(2.) a ewe lamb of the first year for a sin offering, and
(3.) a ram for a peace-offering. After these sacrifices were offered by the priest, the Nazirite cut off his hair at the door and threw it into the fire under the peace-offering.
(From the Parsons Bible Dictionary; Edition: First Copyright: Electronic Edition STEP Files Copyright � 1999, Parsons Technology, Inc.)
Speaking of vows� Samson was a Nazirite form the womb. He was a Nazirite for his entire life. His mother was barren for many years Samson was to be her first born. She had to abstain from anything that contains alcohol or any other fruit of the vine while she was in gestation. Then when her son was born he had to follow the rules as listed above.
Now I was always led to believe that Samson had his strength in his hair. I also believed that he was a mighty strong man in stature. But I found out he was more of a sissy-man than I would have ever expected. The only time he had any strength was when the Holy Spirit move upon him! When he let his stupidity get in his way and was blind-sided with getting his hair cut� he had broken the Nazirite vow which put him out of fellowship with the Holy Spirit, thus no strength. I think everyone knows how this ends. There have been several movies made about it. Alas the true story is distorted somewhat to accommodate the plots for the moves. The purpose of Samson becoming a Nazirite was, I believe, to separate him from the lifestyle of the children of Israel who were not living right in the sight of the Lord. He was selected to begin to deliver Israel out of the control of the Philistines.
Judges 13:5 (KJV) For, lo, thou shalt conceive, and bear a son; and no razor shall come on his head: for the child shall be a Nazarite unto God from the womb: and he shall begin to deliver Israel out of the hand of the Philistines.
I believe that he might have been able to completely deliver them from the Philistines had he kept his heart set on the Lord completely without wavering. He was just a human with the human DNA defect from his ancestry going back to Adam. That defect of course is SIN! The same defect that flows through our veins and needs to be cleansed by the Blood of Jesus constantly.
Today�s memory verse:
Philippians 2:12-14 (KJV) Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. Do all things without murmurings and disputings:
Ulterior thought:
Maybe, just maybe, if we were to be as obedient as Baalam�s donkey in stead of making �intelligent-donkey� remarks� we would not find ourselves in as much hot water! But then again, to quote my dad, �think of all the fun you had!�
May You Be Blessed by the Holy Spirit to Overflowing!
Bye for Now!
