Numbers, chapter 6, tells us about the Nazarite vow. The word, NAZARITE, means to be consecrated or separated. Indeed, the vows of the Nazarite shows a life separated from the pleasures of the world and focused upon the Lord. Let’s read Numbers 6:1-8, “And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When either man or woman shall separate themselves to vow a vow of a Nazarite, to separate themselves unto the LORD: He shall separate himself from wine and strong drink, and shall drink no vinegar of wine, or vinegar of strong drink, neither shall he drink any liquor of grapes, nor eat moist grapes, or dried. All the days of his separation shall he eat nothing that is made of the vine tree, from the kernels even to the husk. All the days of the vow of his separation there shall no rasor come upon his head: until the days be fulfilled, in the which he separateth himself unto the LORD, he shall be holy, and shall let the locks of the hair of his head grow. All the days that he separateth himself unto the LORD he shall come at no dead body. He shall not make himself unclean for his father, or for his mother, for his brother, or for his sister, when they die: because the consecration of his God is upon his head. All the days of his separation he is holy unto the LORD.”

We see from this portion that the Nazarite vow was voluntary, although there were some who were Nazarites such as Samson and Samuel. We also see that men and women were allowed to vow the Nazarite vow and live that lifestyle. Even today, the Lord calls for us to be separated from the world and all its evil. Let’s consider the vows of the Nazarite. They may seem odd or pointless until we consider what they are symbolic of.

  • SEPARATION FROM WINE AND STRONG DRINK – Wine typically speaks of joy in the scriptures. Psalm 104:15 says, “And wine that maketh glad the heart of man…” We see that same truth in Judges 9:13, “And the vine said unto them, Should I leave my wine, which cheereth God and man, and go to be promoted over the trees?” To separate oneself from wine, strong drink, or anything pertaining to the vine is symbolic of finding no joy or pleasure in the world’s things. Separated from the Lord, we find our happiness in the Lord. Habakkuk 3:18 say, “Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.”
  • NO CUTTING OF THE HAIR – 1 Corinthians 11:14 tells us, “Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him?” One who has long hair would become a reproach of men. It was considered a thing to be ashamed of to not cut the hair as it grew longer. The Lord pronounces blessings of those who endure reproach for His name’s sake. Luke 6:22 says, “Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake.” When we truly stand FOR Christ, the world will stand AGAINST us. The Lord would have us all to deny ourselves and seek only to live for Him and endure the reproach of man that it brings. The Lord will bless us for this dedication to Him.
  • NO TOUCHING OF A DEAD BODY – This is a type of avoiding any moral defilement. The Nazarite was to live a life devoted completely to the Lord and His things. This is what the Lord desires of us. 2 Corinthians 6:17-18 says, “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.” Along with that, let’s read Colossians 3:1-2, “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.”

This is the key to a successful Christian life that honors the Lord. We set our affections on the Lord and His purposes and separate ourselves from the world and all its evil. The Lord Jesus might be considered as the True Nazarite. Without taking vows, He lived His entire life to serve and please His Father. May the Lord do a work in our hearts so that we may live as Spiritual Nazarites, living our lives in dedication and service to the Lord. (237.6)