Tag Archives: Faithfulness

Dedicated to the Lord: The Nazarite Vow

Posted on by under Article, Christian Living

Introduction

As we reflect on Veterans Day, we honor those dedicated to their country. This moment invites us to consider a deeper question: Are you dedicated to the Lord? The biblical Nazarite was a powerful example of such dedication. While Jesus was called a Nazarene because of Nazareth (see Matthew 2:23), the Nazarite vow was something entirely different—a voluntary commitment to God, marked by extraordinary devotion. As we seek to grow closer to Christ, let us explore what the Nazarite vow entailed and challenge ourselves to examine our own dedication.

The Nazarite Vow

The Nazarite vow, described in Numbers 6:1-8, was open to both men and women. It was a special, difficult vow—an act of consecration between an individual and God, not a family or tribe. Unlike other Old Testament laws found in Leviticus or Exodus, this vow focused on personal commitment. The Hebrew word nazir means “dedicate,” and appears about ten times in the context regarding a separation or dedication. The vow was a way for an individual to set themselves apart for God for a specific period, giving what was most precious—their “self”—to the Lord.

Three-Fold Stipulations

  1. Abstain from wine and strong drink: This went beyond what was required even of priests.
  2. No razor shall pass over the head: During the vow, the individual would not cut their hair.
  3. Avoid contact with the dead: Even accidental defilement required the person to shave their head and begin the vow anew (see Numbers 6:9-12). This underscores the seriousness of the commitment.

Completion of the vow involved several offerings—a male lamb, an ewe lamb, a ram, a basket of cakes, and the shaving of the dedicated hair, which was burned on the altar. Afterward, the Nazarite was welcomed back into fellowship and could once again partake of the grapevine.

Notable Nazarites

Only three individuals are thought to have been Nazarites from birth:

  • Samson (Judges 13:2-5)
  • John the Baptist (Luke 1:15)
  • Samuel (1 Samuel 1:11)

Historical sources like Josephus and Eusebius note that Nazarite vows were popular in the first century AD, and that figures such as John the Baptist and James (the brother of Jesus) were Nazarites. Even Paul is believed to have taken a Nazarite vow (Acts 18:18; 21:23), sometimes helping others complete theirs due to the expense involved.

How Dedicated Are We?

While Christians are not under the law of Moses and there is no direct equivalent to the Nazarite vow in the New Testament, believers are still called to be dedicated to the Lord—set apart and made holy. The term “saints” means “holy ones,” those who have been set apart (Romans 1:7; 1 Corinthians 1:2; 1 Peter 1:16; 1 Peter 2:9; Galatians 2:20). This dedication is about going beyond a regular relationship with God, giving ourselves to Him fully, and living for Christ.

The Nazarite vow was voluntary, not commanded (Numbers 6:2), much like fasting in the New Testament (Matthew 6:16-18). Both are ways to show dedication to God that go above and beyond what is required. Every week, we have opportunities to demonstrate our dedication.

Conclusion

The Nazarite vow was a difficult, extra step of dedication to the Lord, requiring the individual to remain undefiled. In a sense, becoming a Christian is a similar vow—a commitment to remain set apart and holy (1 John 2:15-17). As we reflect, let’s ask ourselves: Does our dedication need to be ramped up? The invitation is open to deepen our commitment and grow closer to Him.

I Am Resolved

Posted on by under Christian Living

          There is a song that we sing in our assemblies that speaks of being resolved no longer to linger, charmed by the world’s delight. Instead, the song says that I will hasten to Him. It is a song about being resolute in leaving the world’s charms behind and pressing on to be with the Lord. As we look out upon another year ending and a new one just beginning, what resolutions are we making for the New Year? What are we leaving behind in 2023, and what are we pressing on towards?

     In the Philippian letter, Paul writes, “Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 3:13-14). We might look back at last year’s resolutions and see how we did. Perhaps our resolution only lasted a couple of weeks or a month. Maybe we were resolved to lose ten pounds last year, and now we are only fifteen pounds away from our goal. But, forgetting those things that are behind us, let us look forward to the opportunities in the New Year to be resolved to do better.

     In 2024 let us then be resolved to:

   · Lose the weight of sin in our lives (Heb. 12:1)

   · Exercise greater discernment between good and evil (Psalm 34:14)

   · Improve our spiritual health (1 Peter 1:13-16)

   · Help save the souls of those around us (Mat. 28:19-20)

   · Stop making excuses and abound in the work of the Lord (1 Cor. 15:58)

  I am reminded of an old commercial that showed a man at his desk and each year the pile of papers grew higher. Each year he stated that this was the year he was going to hunker down and get something accomplished. Is 2024 the year that we will grow closer to the Lord? Or will 2024 be like every other year? The choice is ours. The next year is ready and waiting. Are we resolved no longer to linger?

Can We Deal With the Devil?

Posted on by under Article, Christian Living

Our current news feed is loaded with what has been going on in Israel in the war with Hamas.  Many are wanting for a cease fire that will bring peace to the region, but the question that must be answered is how you negotiate with someone who only wants your death or demise.  How can you appease them if all they want is for you to not exist?  Can we make a deal with the Devil? 

It’s difficult to see how that would bring about the desired result, and yet people seem to think that they can make a deal with the Devil and that it will somehow all work out.  Satan is referred to in the Bible many times and in many ways.  He is the tempter in the Garden of Eden in Genesis 3.  He is the accuser of mankind in Job 1.  He is the leader of the fallen angels who have made war against the people of God in Eph. 2:2 and Revelation 12.  All he wants is for the demise and destruction of mankind.  How can you negotiate with him?

Moses certainly understood the importance of not giving in to the adversary.  In dealing with Pharaoh, Moses remained steadfast and sure and did not negotiate with the foe of God.  In Exodus 8:25 Pharaoh told Moses to hold a sacrifice in the land of Egypt, but that was not what God had demanded.  Later, in Exodus 8:28, Pharoah said to go, but only do not go too far away.  Satan would like for us to not go too far away from him. He wants for us to keep one foot in his synagogue (Rev. 2:9) and one foot in the church. 

In the plague of the locusts in Exodus 10, Pharaoh again tried to control the situation in allowing the men to go and sacrifice, but he wanted the children to be left behind.  Satan is delighted when we don’t bring our children with us into the church or into a right relationship with the Lord.  Satan loves to tell us that it is wrong for us to “force” our religion on our children, and instead would have us allowing our children to make their own choices when they are still young and naïve.

Pharaoh tried one last time to negotiate with Moses and his God in allowing the people to leave, but not taking their possessions with them.  “Then Pharaoh called to Moses and said, ‘Go, serve the Lord; only let your flocks and your herds be kept back’” (Exodus 10:24).  Moses answered Pharaoh that they would not leave a hoof behind when they exited Egypt (Exodus 10:26).  Moses understood that he could not give ground to the adversary.

Satan loves it when we give in and negotiate with him.  Go serve God, he might say, but don’t go very far away.  Go do what the Lord wants, but leave your children behind with me.  Go ahead and be a Christian, but don’t let that get in the way of your pursuit of material things.  We cannot give ground to the adversary.  We cannot deal with the Devil.  We cannot negotiate with Satan.  We need to stand, and to stand firm against the wiles of the Devil. 

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand (Eph 6:10–13).