Sun.’s Devo - The Nazarite Vow -

The Nazarite vow was a special vow made to the Lord. It would last as long as it was set by the person or in the case of Samson and John the Baptist it was set by the Lord for life. They were never to cut their hair during that time or drink wine or any alcoholic drinks. We can look at Samson and see what happened to him when his vow was broken and his hair was cut. He lost the power of his vow and was thrown in prison. His ministry was over for the time being. John the Baptist kept his vow and ushered in the Messiah. He ended in prison also and lost his life but his reward was not on this earth. The Nazarite could also not go near a dead body. This was a serious vow so even if someone dropped dead beside them the vow would have to be started over from that day. He would have to shave his hair and let it grow again. That was what happened to Samson when he was put in prison. His vow was started over and his hair began to grow again. He ended up killing more Philistines in his death than he had in his life. Samson received his reward in heaven also. The day the Tabernacle was dedicated, the tribal leaders arrived with six wagons full of the offerings each tribe was to offer. They all offered the exact same thing on their own designated day for 12 days. The wagons would be used by the Levites to carry the poles and tents for the Tabernacle. They were assigned to the Gershonites and the Merirites. The Kohath’s didn’t need a wagon because they carried the furniture and it was to be carried on poles on the the shoulders of the priests. Remember how David brought the Ark of the Covenant on a wagon and when it almost fell off a man reached out to keep it from falling? The man was instantly killed. David stopped the caravan and the Ark stayed there until he could figure out what he did wrong. He read in the law about how to carry the ark. He came back with the priests and they carried it on their shoulders into Jerusalem. In the gifts the tribes brought were silver platters, gold containers of incense, and animals. These would be kept by the Levites to be used throughout the year for the sacrifices. When Moses went into the Tabernacle to speak with the Lord, he would hear the voice of the Lord speaking to him from the Ark. In Mark, Jesus gave the comparison of the rich teachers of the law who looked holy and the poor widow who gave everything. She gave more in proportion to all the others. As Jesus and his disciples were leaving the Temple, they commented on the beauty of the Temple. Jesus said it would one day be torn down and completely demolished. The disciples asked him when it would happen. Instead of telling them the answer, Jesus told him what the signs would be that led up to it. The Kingdom of God keeps dates by events. There would be wars and rumors of wars, earthquakes and famines. God’s people will be turned over to the government and this will be their opportunity to tell about the gospel of Christ. Family members would turn against one another and cause some to be killed. But, those who endure to the end will be saved. May the Lord bless us and protect us. May the Lord smile upon us and be gracious to us. May the Lord show us his favor and give us his peace.