Numbers 6
We begin our reading today with a description of the Nazarite Vow. This special oath could be made by a man or woman and was made with the intention of purposely dedicating oneself to the LORD for a set amount of time. The one making a vow would intentionally choose to deny themselves certain worldly pleasures so that they could draw closer to God. In our day, we may look at a person’s decision to abstain from some comfort or indulgence during the season of Lent as a similar discipline (although the Nazarite Vow was usually undertaken for a much longer period). During this time of being set apart, the one making the vow was not to partake of anything produced by the grapevine (including wine or other strong drink), cut any hair off their head, or approach a dead body. “All the days of his separation he is holy to the LORD” (v. 8).
It is important to note that those making such vows were not removed from society, like monks, for instance. Rather, they lived among their peers during this time of distinction. For Christians in the present, we may not make a vow as the Nazarites did, but when we trusted in Jesus Christ for our salvation, our old life was crucified with Christ, and He transformed us into a new creation so that we may now walk in a distinct, set apart, holy manner (Galatians 2:20; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Romans 6:4). Like the Nazarites, we are not removed from this world (yet), but our new lives should be different as we make deliberate choices to distance ourselves from fleeting passions so that we may be near to God.
Numbers 6 closes with a prayer of blessing from God (through the priests) to His people: “The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace” (vv. 24-26). Let’s unpack this priestly blessing in more detail:
· God desires to bless all His people. Now, when we think of the word blessing, we may think of a life of luxury and ease. But the biblical meaning of blessing carries with it the idea of God’s divine favor upon someone.[i] God knows what we need even before we ask, and we can trust that whatever comes from Him will be for our good (Romans 8:28).
· “To be kept by the Lord is blessing indeed. Some are kept by their own sin and desire, some are kept by idolatry and greed, and others are kept by their own bitterness and anger. But to be kept by the Lord insures life, peace, and success.”[ii] (Again, it’s important to note that success does not necessarily mean financial or professional enrichment.)
· Can you imagine what joy it would bring your heart to know that the Creator of the universe delights in turning His face toward you and being gracious to you? He is a loving Father who takes pleasure in His children, and “If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!” (Matthew 7:11).
· God’s peace surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7). For those who follow Christ Jesus, we can be at peace no matter what comes in this world, knowing that deliverance into our Promised Land is coming. What a wonderful assurance to cling to in the midst of seasons of tumult!
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Journal responses to the following prompts:
· Is your new life in Christ Jesus marked by intentional choices that distance yourself from fleeting passions so that you may draw closer to God?
· Is there anything (or anyone) preventing you from being kept fully by the Lord?
[i] Barak: Be a blessing. (2019, December 15). Hebrew Word Lessons. Retrieved April 30, 2026, from https://hebrewwordlessons.com/2019/12/15/barak-be-a-blessing/
[ii] Study Guide for Numbers 6. (n.d.). Blue Letter Bible. Retrieved April 30, 2026, from
https://www.blueletterbible.org/comm/guzik_david/study-guide/numbers/numbers-6.cfm