THE NAZARITE VOW AND SEPARATION
Most Christians have heard of the ‘Nazarite
Vow’ but know very little, if anything, about it.
Firstly, let me say that the word Nazarite
means: separated and consecrated to God, a person male or female who was
specially consecrated to God.
The Nazarite vowed to separate himself
or herself to the Lord for a certain period of time, or even a life time during
which, however that person did not become a hermit or separate them self from
society.
It is probable that Nazarite s where in
existence before the LAY was given to Moses on Mount Sinai. Numbers 6: 1-21
gives us a clear teaching as to the Law of the Nazarite.
There are three things in particular that need to be noticed
concerning this vow.
He must not drink wine or strong drink,
nor eat any product of the vine during the days of his separation. From the
time of the nomadic patriarchs the vine was a symbol of settled life and
culture which were quite right in themselves, but were
removed from the ancient simplicity of life and manners.
Joandab son of Rechab
the Kenite,
required his people, over whom he ruled, to dwell in tents, refrain from
agriculture and abstain from wine in order to preserve primitive simplicity of
manners. 2 Kings 10:15-28 Jonadab
also assisted Jehu in destroying Baal worship.
The Nazarite
was not allowed to ever shave their heads. The long hair was a visible sign of
the consecration to God. The hair was the
Glory of the head and the product of the body he had devoted to God. Cutting
the hair, would render the head common as God makes the hair grow.
When time arrived for the Nazarite Vow
to expire, the Nazarite would appear before the
Priest and make certain offerings, shave the hair of the head again and burn
the hair. Num, 6:13, 19, 20, 21
Both Samuel and Samson where Nazarite s
for life and dedicated before birth to live a lifestyle that was wholly
dedicated to God. Judges 13: 4, 5, 1 Sam. 1:11,
28 Last of the Nazarites
in the Old Testament Nazarites
was John the Baptist. Luke 1:15
The most insidious and profane people came to tempt the Nazarite’s to turn away from God. Amos 2:11,12
All through scripture in the Old and New Testament people are
called to live Holy lives separated to God.
In the Old Testament the mode of doing this was through the Nazarite Vow. In the New Testament the mode of doing this
is through a relationship to Christ of Chastity and Holiness. In the Old
Testament in Numbers 6: 3,5 “He shall separate himself from …. and … unto the Lord.”
And in the New Testament in 2 Cor. 6:17 “Come
out and be separate says the Lord and touch no unclean thing…”
It is important to see that the bible clearly state a separation
from and a separation unto. I.E. the negative and the positive …. Separation
from the world and all that is contrary to God’s will and a separation unto God
and His Divine Purpose and Plan for your life. Numbers 6:2 stresses the fact
that they were to SEPARATE THEMSELVES. It
most important to know that God does force one to live a Holy life or a
consecrated life, but rather God draws us and appeals to us to do so.
Romans 12:1,2 clearly states that we are not to be
confirmed to the pattern of this world, but transformed, by the renewing of our
minds. We are to be separated from all
forbidden things and consecrated to a holy lifestyle unto God. (Acts 13:2, 8:5)
Romans 6:13 speaks about yielding ourselves to God and to
unrighteousness. Unrighteousness is
allowing lawlessness and no fear for God to rule in your heart.
In 2 Timothy 2:20,21 we read that our
separation to God is for life. We are
called to live lifestyle of separation and holiness to our God as a
relationship to our spouse. We need to be vessels of honor, sanctified, and
meet for our Master’s use and be prepared for every good work.
Separation to God demands self-denial on our part and a separated
life cannot be a hidden Christian life.
We are called to be an Ambassador and a light house that will show the
Glory and God and walk in His ways. In
Is. 6:1 we read that “in the year that King Uzziah
died, I saw the Lord” We need to
separate ourselves from our kings in our life (things that distract us, from
seeing the Glory of God) and draw near to God and He will draw near to us.
(James 4:8)
Make a decision to separate
yourself and draw near to God.
Mark Visser