The Law of The Nazarite Lesson 40, Children Search
Text: Numbers 6:1-27
Nazarite is from the Hebrew word ‘Nazar, translated as ‘separation’, which means something set apart. In the Old Testament, the Nazarite vow was for people who wanted to devote self and time completely to serving God. It was a voluntary vow which could be taken for as little as thirty days or as long as a lifetime. Also, parents could take the vow for their young children, making them Nazarites for life. For example, Samuel was consecrated to God right from birth by Hannah, his mother (1 Samuel 1:11).
A Nazarite is wholly devoted to God and sets apart his time to serve the Lord in a holy manner than others. There are two major types; those who were dedicated to God by parents before they were born or in infancy, and those who freely dedicate themselves to God. Another type of Nazarite is one appointed by God as in the case of Samson (Judges 13:5). As believers, we are New Testament “Nazarites”, set apart to serve God faithfully and acceptably all the days of our lives. You must surrender all to God.
- PERSONAL CONSECRATION OF A NAZARITE: Numbers 6:1-12
The general character of a Nazarite is that he is separated unto the Lord of his own free will. As friends of Jesus, we should dedicate our time, talents and all we have to serve God. From our text, the vow of a Nazarite involves his commitment to obey God’s instruction concerning his activities and personal life.
(a) Prohibition of wine or strong drink (Numbers 6:3). A Nazarite was not allowed to take strong drink (alcohol) so that he won’t get drunk. A similar warning against wine and strong drink is found in Proverbs 31:4,5. This warning is given to avoid forgetting the law and falling into the temptation to take strong wine. Friends of Jesus should run away from alcoholic and strong drink lest they become easy prey to Satan.
(b) They must not cut their hair (Numbers 6:5). Among the Jews, an abundance of hair on the head was considered a mark of physical strength. The free growth of hair on the head of a Nazarite represented the dedication of his whole strength and power to the service of God. This is only peculiar to Old Testament period for the children of Israel and not applicable to boys and girls at this time of grace. Therefore, leaving the hair uncut is not part of true worship. Another significance of leaving the hair uncut is that it serves as a mark of identification that the Nazarite has preserved his purity, otherwise, he would have had it cut (Numbers 6:9). A believer should bear a mark of identification by which people know him that he truly belongs to the Lord Jesus Christ (Galatians 6:17). Through our lifestyle and even dressing, the believer should identify himself with the Lord Jesus Christ. That is, no wearing of short skirt or gown, transparent dresses and tight-fitted clothes. (c) They must not come near any dead body (Numbers 6:9). If a Nazarite touches a dead body, even accidentally, he is defiled, He needs to shave his head and offer a sacrifice. From this, we learn the following lessons:
(i) A child that is separated unto God must distinguish himself by not conforming to the world (Romans 12:2). (Others may, I cannot).
(ii) God’s children should keep their heart pure from evil thoughts and should not touch any unclean thing (Isaiah 52:11). Touching unclean thing can be in form of stealing, fighting, touching the body of opposite sex in a sinful way, watching pornographic films and playing bad games.
(iii) For a child of God, there must be moderation in everything like eating. dressing, association, pleasure, etc.
Surrender your life to Jesus and be a Nazarite unto God.
- PRESCRIBED SACRIFICE AND OFFERING FOR THE NAZARITE VOW: Numbers 6:9-21
“And if any man die very suddenly by him, and he hath defiled the head of his consecration; then he shall shave his head in the day of his cleansing, on the seventh day shall he shave it” (Numbers 6:9). Even though, there was no moral sin involved in this defilement of the dead, the atonement for the uncleanness was necessary (Numbers 6:11). If a Nazarite is accidentally defiled through contact with dead body, he must go through a cleansing rite of eight days (Numbers 6:8,9). He will shave his head on the seventh day and perform the prescribed sacrifice to purify and make him clean on the eighth day. The implication of this is that he will start his consecration anew, beginning again to let his hair grow and abstaining from all the things that are forbidden.
The former days of his consecration were not to be remembered just as the righteousness of the righteous man shall not be remembered when he goes back into sin (Ezekiel 3:20). Friends of Jesus must watch against sin to avoid its serious consequence of loss of fellowship with God. More is expected from a child of God in preserving his garment of righteousness at all costs. There is no eternal security.
Furthermore, there were laws concerning the discharge of a Nazarite from his vow upon the completion of his days of separation. He could not be discharged without completing the prescribed sacrifices because he is bound by his vow. After the cleansing period, the Nazarite is set free publicly at the door of the tabernacle (Numbers 6:13). The important lesson here is that as God who has called us is holy, we should also be holy in all manner of conversation and lifestyle.
- PRONOUNCIATION OF COVENANT BLESSINGS ON GOD’S PEOPLE: Numbers 6:22-27; 2 Corinthians 13:14
After giving instruction on the cleansing of the Nazarite, God specifically instructed Moses to direct Aaron and his sons (priests of God) to pronounce His covenant blessings on His people. As children of God today, we are made partakers of these special blessings.
All you need do is to make sure you are a genuine friend of Jesus. You must also be watchful and live a holy life. A righteous lifestyle will open the door of uncommon blessings unto you. Now you can claim these blessings for yourself as you say amen to its pronunciation. “The LORD bless thee, and keep thee: The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace. And they shall put my name upon the children of Israel; and I will bless them” (Numbers 6:24-27).
QUESTIONS:
- Who is a Nazarite?
- State two important things a Nazarite must do/not do to show his consecration to God.
- Today, we don’t need to shave off our hair in order to serve God. True/False?
- What sacrifice must a Nazarite undertake when he is defiled?
- What should a sinful child do to be cleansed from sin?
MEMORY VERSE: “All the days of his separation he is holy unto the LORD” (Numbers 6:8).
LESSON: God demands obedience to His word from all those who would serve Him acceptably.
THOUGHT: I will obey God’s word..
ACTIVITY: Boys and girls should pray and consecrate their lives, time and talents to God.
CONGREGATIONAL SONG: GHS 87- TAKE MY LIFE
CHORUSES:
(1) I live for Jesus, day after day.
(2) Follow, follow, I will follow Jesus.
(3) Jesus the same yesterday, today and forever.
HOMEWORK: Prayer of consecration.
BIBLE WORD SEARCH
Find the meaning of these words. You can use your dictionary:
- Nazarite
- Vow
- Obedience
- Prescribed
- Covenant.