Vow of Separation to the Lord

God's Urgent Call
Called to Be Strong

Samson's Call

Numbers 6:1-12, 13-17 The Message

Nazirite Vows

6 1-4 God spoke to Moses: “Speak to the People of Israel; tell them, If any of you, man or woman, wants to make a special Nazirite vow, consecrating yourself totally to God, you must not drink any wine or beer, no intoxicating drink of any kind, not even the juice of grapes—in fact, you must not even eat grapes or raisins. For the duration of the consecration, nothing from the grapevine—not even the seeds, not even the skin—may be eaten.
5 “Also, for the duration of the consecration, you must not have your hair cut. Your long hair will be a continuing sign of holy separation to God.
6-7 “Also, for the duration of the consecration to God, you must not go near a corpse. Even if it’s the body of your father or mother, brother or sister, you must not ritually defile yourself because the sign of consecration to God is on your head.
8 “For the entire duration of your consecration you are holy to God.
13-17 “These are the instructions for the time set when your special consecration to God is up. First, you are to be brought to the entrance to the Tent of Meeting. Then you will present your offerings to God: a healthy yearling lamb for the Whole-Burnt-Offering, a healthy yearling ewe for an Absolution-Offering, a healthy ram for a Peace-Offering, a basket of unraised bread made of fine flour, loaves mixed with oil, and crackers spread with oil, along with your Grain-Offerings and Drink-Offerings. The priest will approach God and offer up your Absolution-Offering and Whole-Burnt-Offering. He will sacrifice the ram as a Peace-Offering to God with the basket of unraised bread, and, last of all, the Grain-Offering and Drink-Offering.

For Reflection

Many of us have consecrated our lives to the Living God. But, I am not sure that we followed the rituals that God outlined to Moses. The Nazirites set themselves apart from all others, binding themselves to the law of love. These rituals were a reflection of the signs of purity and in those days, were fitting to emphasize the righteousness of the consecration.

Few of us who consecrate themselves these days follow the rituals of the Nazirites.  Today what are the signs that we remain holy to the Lord? How do we keep ourselves pure in heart and life?

Pray

That you will remain obedient to the will of God.  Pray, that in binding yourself to the Livin God, you keep yourself pure in heart and life.