Numbers Chapter 6
The Lord God gave special instructions to the people of Israel who wanted to consecrate themselves to Him in a special vow. This vow was called a Nazarite vow which had no specificity of time but was meant to be a public announcement that someone had decided that they were making God the first priority in their life. The word Nazarite means to set apart and so God set the parameters for the people who wanted to set themselves apart and draw close to God.
You will notice that there is no mention of how long the Nazarite vow lasted. This I believe was up to the individual making the vow. The length of time was a part of the vow they were making to God. Though if they became defiled, they would have to start over, and the clock would be reset on the length of their vow.
One of the things a person would have been seeking from God when making this vow was His blessings, but God makes it clear in verses 22-27 that He wanted His blessings poured out on all of His people not just those who were priests or who made a Nazarite vow to Him. And so, this chapter ends with a prayer that the priests were to pray over the people, a prayer asking God to bless His people.
Let's Reflect
1. Who could make a Nazarite vow?
2. What is the first parameter that God set for someone who wanted to make a Nazarite vow?
3. According to verse 3 what was the second parameter God set for making a Nazarite vow? Notice that both of these parameters would have been visible to the public.
4. What was the third parameter of a Nazarite vow as seen in verse 6?
5. This third parameter would have been especially difficult when a particular event happened. What event would have been very difficult for a person who had made a Nazarite vow? This parameter looks at how death is the most horrible consequence of our sin nature and God wanted them to set themselves apart from death (at least for a temporary time).
6. At the conclusion of their vow the individual came to the tabernacle and did what?
“The offerings of the Nazirite at the completion of the period of the vow (Numbers 6:13) were extensive, expensive, and expressive of the spirit of total commitment to Yahweh during this period of special devotion.” [Allen]
7. Verse 21 indicates that when a person has spent time consecrating themselves to God, drawing closer to Him, they might desire to show God their gratefulness by doing what?
8. Have you heard a pastor pray these verses at the end of this chapter? It is a great prayer for a pastor to pray, or anyone really. We want the pleased and beautiful face of God to shine upon us and be gracious to us.
