Read: Numbers 6:1-7:89; Mark 12:38-13:13: Psalm 49:1-20; Proverbs 10:27-28
The word for Nazarite in the Hebrew is naziyr which means consecrated as a prince. Figuratively it means an unpruned vine. If a person wanted to separate himself to the Lord he was to abstain from wine or other fermented drink and not eat anything from the fruit of the grape. He was not to shave his head and was to be holy until his vow was over. He could not go near a dead person.
The two people that were named in the Bible for being Nazarites were Samuel and Samson. Both became a Nazarite because it was decided before their birth they would be Nazarites. Both of their mothers were barren until God touched them and both were prophesied over before their birth. This gives us a better picture of what a Nazarite might mean spiritually. It is a person that was chosen before their life and set apart by God for a particular purpose. That is the definition of all of God’s chosen people.
When I read in Mark today, I couldn’t help but think that Samuel and Samson’s mothers were like the widow who gave her two mites. It was all she had. Hannah and Samson’s mother had waited for years to have a baby and when they finally did, they gave their sons to the Lord. Those are the sacrifices that please the Lord - the ones that cost us the most and come from grateful hearts.
Lord, bless us and keep us; make your face shine upon us and be gracious to us. Turn your face toward us and give us peace. May we freely give you everything we own for your glory.
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