Title: Qualifications of a Nazarite/ Numbers 6:1~27
Content 5. Qualifications of a Nazarite
Numbers 6:1-27
While priests and Levites are those who have dedicated their lives to God, Nazarites refer to those who voluntarily dedicate themselves to God during a special period of time among the lay faithful.
In today's story, the conditions that Nazarites must meet are specified. “A Nazarite who has made a vow to set himself apart for God must not drink it from abstaining from wine or strong drink” (verse 3). A bold decision! Only this can get rid of worldly pleasures and ugly instincts. Are you a Christian devoted to God? What have you stayed away from and cut off from?
A Nazarite should not put a razor on his head except to abstain from wine and strong drink. “During the days of making the vows and making the vows, you must keep your hair on your head and not put a knife on your head” (verse 5). What does it mean to grow hair? This was an outward sign of a devoted person. In other words, it was an external sign so that anyone who met someone with long hair could recognize him by saying, “Ah, that man is a Nazarite who wants to make God his master.” It was also a sign of temperance, not being able to act at will.
Likewise, do you have any signs that anyone can see and say, “That man is a Christian”? Those who wear crosses in cars or make external signs that allow them to pray boldly in public must at the same time have the character and fruit they deserve. Are your values of life secular? Or are you Christian? Remember, the outward mark of being a Christian is important.
Finally, the Nazarite who has dedicated himself to God says that he should do his best during this time. “No matter how committed you are in the past, if you are in your sins now, your past devotion is null and void” (verse 12). Do you boast only of the zeal of the past and neglect your fellowship with God now? God says “All are null and void”