“‘This is the law of the Nazirite who vows offerings to the Lord in accordance with their dedication…”

Numbers 6:21

You could be a Boy or Girl Scout. You could be a Mason or an Optimist. You could be in the chess club or the glee club, but I have another option for you.

You could be a Nazarite.

Nazarites were a club of sorts, for devout people, men and women, dedicating their lives to God. It was a voluntary thing, although some parents raised their children from birth to be Nazarites. Others chose to be Nazarites for a time in their lives, other than a permanent thing.

Nazarites showed their dedication to God in some specific ways. They would drink no wine or even eat grapes. They could not be in the presence of a dead body. And they didn’t cut their hair. In these ways and others, they were a public testament of faith.

Here are four Nazarites from the Bible:

Samson

Samson was a larger-than-life Nazarite, almost like a folk hero. He was raised as a Nazarite, and consequently had long hair, which was the source of his power. In the end, when his head was shaved, he lost his supernatural strength. Although he was certainly more rough and tumble than your average Nazarite, he conveyed the notion of the Nazarite as someone whose dedication put them in a place of holy power.

Samuel

Samuel’s mother, Hannah, was barren. She prayed to God for a child and promised to dedicate him as a Nazarite. She left him with Eli the priest and said “I have lent him to the Lord as long as he lives” (1 Samuel 1:28) Samuel grew up to be a wise leader, a judge and a prophet. He is the one who anointed both Saul and David. His life illustrated not just outward propriety, but an inward connection with God.

John the Baptist

John the Baptist was dedicated to God at birth, and an angel of the Lord told Samuel that his son was “never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born.” (Luke 1:15) He lived apart from society, and his manner of dress and activity was a way of publicly declaring his devotion to God. Not only did he live an ascetic life, but he prophesied the coming of Jesus.

The Apostle Paul

Paul was a Nazarite, probably. Although it never states this directly, in Acts 18:18 it says, “Before he sailed, he had his hair cut off at Cenchreae because of a vow he had taken.” Nazarites cut off their hair at the conclusion of their time of special dedication. So it sounds like Paul had taken the vow himself. Certainly, he lived his life as a public testament to his faith and his relationship to God through Jesus.

And Nazarite number five?

Well, that could be you, if you want the job. Our public signs of dedication to God might look different than the ancient signs of the Nazarite. Instead of giving up grapes, perhaps you could give up cussing or gossiping. Maybe instead of avoiding dead bodies you could avoid judging people around you. As for the hair? I say, grow it out, extra long. Let people wonder what your lengthy locks are for.

If they ask, you could tell them.

“I’m dedicated to God,

and I’m in good company.”

Have a great week,

Mitch