What follows is an addendum to something I posted four months ago relating to my testimony (see here) and I intend to be included in my forthcoming book: “Priests of the Bible“.

According to Wikipedia: “In the Hebrew Bible, a Nazirite or a Nazarite (Hebrew: Nāzīr – separate, consecrated, devoted) is a man or woman who voluntarily took a vow which is described in Numbers 6:1–21. This vow required the Nazirite to:

• Abstain from wine and all other grape products, such as vinegar and grapes
• Refrain from cutting the hair on his head
• Not to become ritually impure by contact with corpses or graves, even those of family members

After following these requirements for a designated time period (which would be specified in the individual’s vow), the Nazirite would offer a specific animal sacrifice; along with it, the Nazirite’s hair was to be shorn and burned.”

Readers may think it strange that I should include a section on the Nazarite vow in a book that is about Priests of the Bible, and at the end of a chapter that is mainly to do with my testimony. In fact, these late in the day thoughts on Nazirite vows could have been included in a number of places. For example, what we read in Wikipedia also relates to what priests had to do concerning their being especially set apart to God, in having to make offerings on behalf of themselves besides others and being required to keep away from dead bodies and, as I thought about it, could have been included in what I wanted to share in“Chapter 43: What I would like to say to the next generation”.

Making and keeping vows, concerning which the Nazirite vow was that which was mostly spoken about, appeared to have been a big deal when we study the Old Testament. When it came to making vows, it was something that needed to be taken seriously by the one making the vow, for we read: “When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed. Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay” Ecclesiates 5:4-5. A good example of someone who made a vow and took it seriously, although it was offered foolishly, was Jephthah, one of the Judges of Israel: “And Jephthah vowed a vow unto the Lord, and said, If thou shalt without fail deliver the children of Ammon into mine hands, Then it shall be, that whatsoever cometh forth of the doors of my house to meet me, when I return in peace from the children of Ammon, shall surely be the Lord’s, and I will offer it up for a burnt offering.… And it came to pass at the end of two months, that she returned unto her father, who did with her according to his vow which he had vowed: and she knew no man” Judges 11:30-31,39.

While we only have two references to vows being taken in the KJV New Testament, both involved the Apostle Paul taking a vow (likely a Nazirite one) (Acts 18:18; 21:23). Jesus words are worth taking to heart though: “Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths: But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God’s throne: Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King. Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black. But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil” Matthew 5:33-27. We also read “But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation” James 5:12.

In my study of the Bible, I came across many amazing characters, including: Samson, Samuel and John the Baptist. All these were Nazirites, not just for a period but for all of their lives. It appeared they had little choice in the matter. In the case of Samson and John, the messenger from God (angel) instructed their parents that this was to be so, and in Samuel’s case, it was something his mother vowed when she prayed for a son. Remarkably, all three were born to hitherto barren women. Moreover, it can be no coincidence that there was a special anointing that could clearly be seen in the lives of all three of these men and each of them had taken the Nazirite vow.

When we consider the requirements of being a Nazirite, none of them would likely be on the top of our lists if we were to make a Nazirite equivalent vow today, yet are remarkably pertinent:

• Abstinence from strong drink – practice of self-control and discipline, and thereby help to prevent addictions
• Avoid defilement from corpses – making integrity, staying pure and holy living our priorities
• Uncut hair – refusal to let self-image and what others think influence what we do

All three of Samson, Samuel and John the Baptist had extraordinary ministries. Samson was a carnal man despite being set aside by God. For much of his life, he blew whatever opportunities came his way and yet God used him mightily to deal with the Philistines that were oppressing God’s chosen people, Israel. Toward the end of his life, after he had reneged on his vow by having his hair cut and thereby losing the remarkable strength God had given him, it appeared he was done for, but not with God, for after the now blinded Samson was brought out as an object of ridicule by his Philistine captors, we read at the very end of his life: “And Samson called unto the Lord, and said, O Lord God, remember me, I pray thee, and strengthen me, I pray thee, only this once, O God, that I may be at once avenged of the Philistines for my two eyes. And Samson took hold of the two middle pillars upon which the house stood, and on which it was borne up, of the one with his right hand, and of the other with his left.  And Samson said, Let me die with the Philistines. And he bowed himself with all his might; and the house fell upon the lords, and upon all the people that were therein. So the dead which he slew at his death were more than they which he slew in his life” Judges 16:28-30.  

So here is the application, which especially relates to my testimony and that which I would like to pass onto the next generation, by way of words of wisdom. Good people from my own Christian background were not much into making vows but when I think of singing that song that made such an impact when I became I Christian: “I have decided to follow Jesus … Tho’ none go with me, I still will follow … The world behind me, the cross before me …” I had in effect made a vow. While like Samson, I have blown “it” on countless occasions, God who will not be mocked and is ever faithful has kept me to that vow I made as a 15-year-old, amidst over the ensuing years: failure,  disappointment, stubbornness, rejection and pain to myself and others, and continues to bless.

Today, perhaps more than anything else, we need extraordinarily, ordinary Christians that take seriously the vow of the Nazirite. They won’t just move the pillars; they will move the world for God.