Numbers 6

< Back to Numbers Index


TALKS FOR GROWING CHRISTIANS

The Requirements of the Nazirite Vow and the Priestly Blessing

BACKGROUND NOTES



DOCTRINAL POINT(S)

  1. The Nazirite vow involves separation.

  2. The Nazirite vow involved sacrifice.

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

  1. You too can be a Nazirite.

QUESTIONS

  1. What significant archeological discovery was made in the Hinnom Valley in 1975?

  2. What is the oldest fragment of the Bible available today?

  3. What was a Nazirite?

  4. What is the difference between a Nazirite and a Nazarene?

  5. Name three notable Nazirites in the Bible.

  6. What were the three requirements of the Nazirite vow?

ANSWERS

  1. Two silver amulets were found containing tiny scrolls. On these scrolls was written the priestly blessing of Number 6:24-26.

  2. This priestly blessing was written on the scrolls dated back to 700 B.C.

  3. A Nazirite was a layman or laywoman who took a vow of consecration to God’s service for a specific period of time, sometimes for life.

  4. A Nazirite was someone set aside for the Lord’s service. A Nazarene, like our Lord Jesus, was someone from the city of Nazareth.

  5. Samson, Samuel, and John the Baptist.

  6. Nazirites must abstain from wine, strong drink, and any product made from grapes. Nazirites could not cut their hair. Nazirites could not go near the dead.

DISCUSS/CONSIDER

  1. God wanted to bless His people, as He reminded them through the priestly blessing of Numbers 6:24-26. God wants to bless His people today. Step through the priestly blessing and discuss how God does and will bless us in the ways listed.

  2. Review the symbolism of the requirements of the Nazirite vow. By abstaining from wine, the Nazirite was saying, “All my joy is found in the Lord.” Uncut hair made it evident to others when someone claimed to be a Nazirite. Nazirites were symbolically separated from anything that defiled. Apply these points to yourself as a Christian.

CHALLENGE

  1. Although the Nazirite vow was only for God’s people in Old Testament times, you too can be a Nazirite in a sense. You can be separated, consecrated, and committed to the Lord and to serving Him. Have you separated yourself from evil and unto God? Pray and make this commitment soon.

KEY VERSES

  • “All the days of his separation [the Nazirite] shall be holy to the LORD.” Numbers 6:8

  • “The LORD bless you and keep you; The LORD make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you; The LORD lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace.” Numbers 6:24-26

Talks, Old Testament, NumbersRon ReidNUMBERS 6