Numbers 6
Numbers 6
Over the course of the last several weeks, my family and I have been reading through the book of Numbers (with our church – M’Cheyne – reading plan). Despite what you might think, it’s filled with exciting stories, and it continually proclaims the grace of God. Grab your Bible and turn to Numbers chapter 6 for a clear example.
In Numbers 6 we are taught about the requirements of the Nazirite vow. What is a Nazirite vow? Allow me to back up for a moment and set the stage. In the Old Testament, under the Old Covenant, the priests (descendants of the tribe of Levi) were considered “separated to the Lord.” They were, in a sense, a special class of people. That left the rest of the people of Israel – perhaps feeling left out. Thus, if you were not a priest - but still wanted to separate yourself to the Lord or dedicate yourself to the Lord, you could take the Nazirite vow – which was meant to illustrate to God and all those around you – that, though you may not be a priest, you were still separated to the Lord (Numbers 6:2,3,5,12).
Under this separation, you would be required to live under a strict set of the following guidelines: First, to take this vow you would separate yourself “from wine and strong drink” (6:3). Anything produced from the “fruit of the vine” was prohibited (6:4). This would make normal life very difficult. In the ancient world water was often contaminated (this is still an issue in many Third World countries), and so the normal and safest drink was liquid from the fruit of the vine. The one under the Nazirite vow was not allowed to have the normal drink. To use a modern example, this would be like someone, today, refraining from water! Imagine going to a restaurant and asking the waiter, “Excuse me, has water been used in the preparation of the soup?” The second requirement was, “no razor shall touch his head” (6:5). The one who took the vow was not allowed to cut his hair. Their long hair (all of it, mind you) would cause them to look unkempt and certainly separate them from normal life.
Lastly, and most difficult of all, the vow required that “he shall not go near a dead body” (6:6) – even in the hardest of circumstances – the death of a close loved one (6:7). If a father or mother was close to death, he’d be required to keep his distance – in case his loved one die “suddenly” (6:9). This vow separated this person from every aspect of normal life.
Imagine how just learning about this vow would make you feel if you were an Israelite. Biblically, we know of only three individuals who took this vow (Samuel, Samson, and John the Baptist). Other than these three, if we were among Israel, you and I would likely realize that we could not take such an extreme vow. And so, the reality would sink in: ‘I am neither a priest, nor am I able to take the vow of the Nazirite.’ The combination of this reality would be a great discouragement. You’d be left with the impression that you are not good enough or devout enough to be close to God. Perhaps this is you. You’ve looked at others and thought – they are closer to the Lord than you could ever be. Maybe you felt that there was no hope for you. If this is you, finish reading Numbers 6.
At the end of this long chapter about the Nazirite vow there are a few short verses that seem to come out of nowhere. But the placement of these verses is intentional by God.
Immediately following the vow, God commands Aaron (Israel’s High Priest) to “bless the people” (6:23). He commands these words be proclaimed over every person in the community: “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace” (6:24-26). God breaks into our troubled hearts and declares, through His High Priest, that “He will bless” us (6:27). This blessing may look entirely out of place - but such is the nature of grace. The point is this: God is gracious and without His grace, our own efforts will never suffice. We need God’s grace. By His grace, He declares that He is pleased. This blessing at the end of Numbers 6 describes God’s attitude as though He were smiling over His people. He is pleased. When we are under the ministry of the Lord’s High Priest, we have peace with God. You don’t need to prove yourself to the Lord. That’s the role of our High Priest.
And here is the most important detail for us – none of us are living under Aaron’s priesthood. Instead, we live under the great and perfect High Priest, Jesus Christ. Thus, if Jesus is your High Priest, these words (from Numbers 6:22-27) describe the grace of God that has been given to us in Jesus Christ. Under His ministry (but only under His ministry) – we are blessed by the Lord. In Him we have peace with God. Allow Christ to reign as your High Priest – and stop trying to please the Lord on your own. Stop striving and receive His blessing.
In Christ,
Pastor Tony
Over the course of the last several weeks, my family and I have been reading through the book of Numbers (with our church – M’Cheyne – reading plan). Despite what you might think, it’s filled with exciting stories, and it continually proclaims the grace of God. Grab your Bible and turn to Numbers chapter 6 for a clear example.
In Numbers 6 we are taught about the requirements of the Nazirite vow. What is a Nazirite vow? Allow me to back up for a moment and set the stage. In the Old Testament, under the Old Covenant, the priests (descendants of the tribe of Levi) were considered “separated to the Lord.” They were, in a sense, a special class of people. That left the rest of the people of Israel – perhaps feeling left out. Thus, if you were not a priest - but still wanted to separate yourself to the Lord or dedicate yourself to the Lord, you could take the Nazirite vow – which was meant to illustrate to God and all those around you – that, though you may not be a priest, you were still separated to the Lord (Numbers 6:2,3,5,12).
Under this separation, you would be required to live under a strict set of the following guidelines: First, to take this vow you would separate yourself “from wine and strong drink” (6:3). Anything produced from the “fruit of the vine” was prohibited (6:4). This would make normal life very difficult. In the ancient world water was often contaminated (this is still an issue in many Third World countries), and so the normal and safest drink was liquid from the fruit of the vine. The one under the Nazirite vow was not allowed to have the normal drink. To use a modern example, this would be like someone, today, refraining from water! Imagine going to a restaurant and asking the waiter, “Excuse me, has water been used in the preparation of the soup?” The second requirement was, “no razor shall touch his head” (6:5). The one who took the vow was not allowed to cut his hair. Their long hair (all of it, mind you) would cause them to look unkempt and certainly separate them from normal life.
Lastly, and most difficult of all, the vow required that “he shall not go near a dead body” (6:6) – even in the hardest of circumstances – the death of a close loved one (6:7). If a father or mother was close to death, he’d be required to keep his distance – in case his loved one die “suddenly” (6:9). This vow separated this person from every aspect of normal life.
Imagine how just learning about this vow would make you feel if you were an Israelite. Biblically, we know of only three individuals who took this vow (Samuel, Samson, and John the Baptist). Other than these three, if we were among Israel, you and I would likely realize that we could not take such an extreme vow. And so, the reality would sink in: ‘I am neither a priest, nor am I able to take the vow of the Nazirite.’ The combination of this reality would be a great discouragement. You’d be left with the impression that you are not good enough or devout enough to be close to God. Perhaps this is you. You’ve looked at others and thought – they are closer to the Lord than you could ever be. Maybe you felt that there was no hope for you. If this is you, finish reading Numbers 6.
At the end of this long chapter about the Nazirite vow there are a few short verses that seem to come out of nowhere. But the placement of these verses is intentional by God.
Immediately following the vow, God commands Aaron (Israel’s High Priest) to “bless the people” (6:23). He commands these words be proclaimed over every person in the community: “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace” (6:24-26). God breaks into our troubled hearts and declares, through His High Priest, that “He will bless” us (6:27). This blessing may look entirely out of place - but such is the nature of grace. The point is this: God is gracious and without His grace, our own efforts will never suffice. We need God’s grace. By His grace, He declares that He is pleased. This blessing at the end of Numbers 6 describes God’s attitude as though He were smiling over His people. He is pleased. When we are under the ministry of the Lord’s High Priest, we have peace with God. You don’t need to prove yourself to the Lord. That’s the role of our High Priest.
And here is the most important detail for us – none of us are living under Aaron’s priesthood. Instead, we live under the great and perfect High Priest, Jesus Christ. Thus, if Jesus is your High Priest, these words (from Numbers 6:22-27) describe the grace of God that has been given to us in Jesus Christ. Under His ministry (but only under His ministry) – we are blessed by the Lord. In Him we have peace with God. Allow Christ to reign as your High Priest – and stop trying to please the Lord on your own. Stop striving and receive His blessing.
In Christ,
Pastor Tony
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