Vow of the Nazirite
The vow of the Nazirite might be the most powerful and meaningful truth in all of the Abrahamic religions. The reason is the way it works, the purpose of it, and the people it impacted. Samson was a Nazirite. Samuel was a Nazirite. John the Baptist was also. It turns out, Jesus, too, was a Nazirite. He came from Nazareth. That, however, is a trick. He was, but that’s not the story of him being a Nazirite. I’ll explain.
Jesus came from his mother. She was a virgin. That is the result of the Nazirite vow. It is abstinence, but she became pregnant anyway. She took that vow. It goes back to Tamar and duping Judah. She disappeared. Willingly, Tamar maintained the long hair, which results in the long memory or spiritually connection. Not coming back is tantamount to abstaining from the vine. She did not return to Judah despite him sending the promised goat. That goat is the sin, which is the one that climbs and eats. It’s not a sheep, but the more destructive natured being that doesn’t grow hair. It’s not productive.
The Nazirite
Back to the Nazirite. This kind of person cannot consume anything from the vine. Nothing. That includes the waste product, the fruit, the fermented juice. It is all off-limits. This kind of person cannot have his or her hair cut. It’s a righteous thing, which is why Tamar blew Judah’s mind by being more righteous. She disappeared. He was unworthy to go after her. If he did, he would be embarrassed to have lost his birthright to a woman. Well, God had different plans and worked it all through Tamar. That turns out to be Mary, but it is a long line of division that maintains that separation. The vow is for a dedicated period of time that is holy to God.
Consuming of the fruit of the vine is forbidden is the cause of the fall. That means division must be maintained. One cannot be around the fruit or that person will not be able to maintain the division. The temptation is too great. That’s why Jesus comes to fulfill what nobody else can. This continued division fulfills prophecy, but also the rules of the land. Leviticus 27:2 tells us that chapter is about this important vow. Jesus taught in his Sermon on the Mount not to take any vows. That is to be married. The Apostle Paul said not to behave as though you are married, even if you are. This is a switching up of things. Jesus fulfills that by waking up the appropriate people before going to the cross for his period of separation.
The Rules
The Nazirite is tasked with specific features of life, which is detailed fairly well in Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. One is to maintain visibility like the lamp on the lampstand. One must anoint their face with oil while they are fasting so nobody can tell. Ultimately, that person must remain publicly visible while also hidden so others cannot see his true nature. They must pray privately and not in public. If someone does come out in the wrong way, the promise is to cast that person out. It’s an angry move, but it is how things work. Jesus, however, is insistent on peace and mercy. This is a dance between king David and the children of Saul and has specific rules of engagement.
Jesus also taught us, in his Sermon on the Mount, not to take a vow in this world. This is specifically because of the vow of the Nazirite. We are not to take a vow like this because Jesus already did that for us. That vow or oath is specifically tied to Numbers 6:1-21.
Discipleship
This ties directly to discipleship. We cannot forget that Jesus was and is fully God. While fully man, he is fully blind. Being fully God, it means he can indwell another person. He can also divide himself so his line can spread under the guise of confusion. This is the lesson he taught his disciples. This lesson must be learned today. True discipleship is utter and complete hiddenness. It is also wildly clear and obvious. It’s clear to the right people. It’s cloaked in riddles called parables or tongues. It has to be. Welcome to hell.
To those living this way, I say to you, well done. Let your light shine. God wants his hidden treasures to shine bright for all to see.
To those who want to learn more, read this article on the Messianic Secret, which hides many truths.
