Nazirite Vows

Num 5:25-6:5         10/23/2017

No grapes for the Nazirite. Wholly separate unto the Lord, he or she lives a life of service and not luxury.

The Israelites were afraid of God. In fact, at one point they specifically asked Moses to tell God not to speak to them directly because it was overwhelming to hear God’s voice. Sore afraid – as a community they wanted a mediator – a system of safe relationship.

Though this is how the community responded to God, not every Israelite soul saw things this way. There were some who experienced God as friendly – as a faithful deliverer, extraordinarily powerful, wonderful and miraculous. People who saw God in this way usually wanted more. They wanted to move, as one has said, “from a friendly acquaintance to friendship”; From a life that focused on receiving benefits from God, to a life of service to God.

Nazirite. Men and women consecrated and devoted to friendship with God. No matter what tribe – tribe no longer a difference. All else replaced by a willingness and devotion to the God of all creation.

Because the vows of the nazirite were tied to the Jewish system of sacrifice, it is no longer possible to enter into such a vow.  But the devotion and the possibility of life made plain by this example is very much alive and available to all who desire.

Who’s in?

There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free person, there is not male and female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.  Gal 3:28