Today’s passage: Numbers 6
Helpful thoughts:
- A Nazirite was a non-Levite Israelite who was specially separated or dedicate to the Lord.
- Samson, Samuel and John the Baptist were to be life-long Nazirites. Any other men or women were able to serve in this way for an established period of time.
- There is much said in this chapter about those who take the Nazirite vow, but God’s blessing was to be for all of Israel. God gives the wording specifically for the priestly (Or “Aaronic”) blessing.
- The LORD (Yahweh) wanted the priest to speak the blessing of provision, guardianship, favor, grace, love, enjoyment and peace (An all around “good life”) for the nation. Israel was to know that all these things came from their Lord.
Questions to consider:
- How does the information from the passage help us to better understand the downfall of Samson from Judges 13-16? In what ways did God show patience and mercy? What could Samson have done at different points of his life to get a fresh start with the Lord and in his vows?
- In what ways was the hair of the Nazirite used as a sign for the people? What would seeing a Nazirite with long hair remind other people of? What would the burning of the hair at the end of the vow remind the Nazirite of?
- What is stated three times in the Aaronic Blessing? Who is the giver of every good and perfect gift (James 1:17)? How does remembering this impact our prayer life? Our worries and fears? Our well wishes that we share toward others?