Numbers 6 is primarily about the Nazirite vow. This was a personal, voluntary vow that anyone, male or female, could make in order to devote themselves to exclusively serving God (or made by a parent for their children for life).
There were 3 restrictions - he had to abstain from alcohol and grape related products, his hair could not be cut or his beard shaved, and he could not touch a dead body no matter how close the relation. Once the vow had been fulfilled, a sacrifice had to be made.
It seems like this made it possible for anyone, not just the priests, to have a more personal and intimate relationship with God!
This chapter concludes with the famous blessing...
Numbers 6:24-26 The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.
I love this blessing! From the Life Application Study Bible...
A blessing was one way of asking for God's divine favour to rest upon others. The ancient blessing in these verses helps us understand what a blessing was supposed to do. Its five parts conveyed hope that God would (1) bless and keep them (favour and protect); (2) make his face shine upon them (be pleased); (3) be gracious (merciful and compassionate); (4) turn his face toward them (give his approval); (5) give peace. When you ask God to bless others or yourself, you are asking him to do these five thing. The blessing you offer will not only help the one receiving it, it will also demonstrate love, encourage others, and provide a model of caring to others.
From this commentary
The Lord . . . the Lord . . . the Lord: The three-fold repetition of Lord does not prove the Trinity, but it certainly illustrates it.
- God the Father blesses and keeps His children
- God the Son makes God’s face to shine on us and brings us grace
- God the Holy Spirit communicates God’s attention to us, and gives us peace
i. "I will not say that this teaches the doctrine of the Trinity; but I must say that, believing the doctrine of the Trinity, I understand the passage all the better. The shadow of the Triune God is on the sacred benediction in the name thrice repeated." (Spurgeon)
h. You . . . you . . . you . . . you . . . you . . . you: It is repeated six times for emphasis - God wants to bless you. We often feel as if God really wanted to bless someone else. He wants to bless us.
i. "So long as you are resting upon Christ—Jesus, the great High Priest, speaks from the eternal glory, and he says, 'The Lord bless thee.' 'Oh! but I do not deserve it.' Just so; but 'the Lord Bless thee.' 'I am so unworthy, I am so backsliding.' Yes, but the Lord Jesus Christ knows all, covers all. We will read it, then: 'The Lord Bless thee - thee, and keep thee: the Lord make his face to shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: the Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.' Oh! have you got that wrought into your very hearts?" (Spurgeon)
ii. As God bestows His blessing on us, we must receive it by faith. We must be like Jacob - who would not let go of God until God blessed him.
Verse 27 indicates that to be blessed by God is to have His name on us - to be identified with Him and His nature. And He promises to bless in response to this blessing!Some of my favourite verses in the Bible!
Chapter 10 introduces the two silver trumpets that were to be sounded when the tribes were to set out, to summon the congregation and chiefs, in wartime and sacrifices.
It then describes the first time the Israelites set out since the tabernacle was built. How exciting this must've been - this great procession with trumpets and banners, being directed by the cloud of God's very presence! Finally they were seeing the beginning of the fulfillment of the promise as they set off for the promised land!
Tomorrow's readings: Numbers 11:1-13:33.
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