Series: Blessed Be
Numbers 6:24-26 ESV
Numbers 6:1 (Consecrate and Nazarite), Judges 13:5 (Sampson), Luke 1:15 (John the Baptist, Acts 18:18 (Paul of Tarsus), Judges 16 (Sampson and Delilah)
Numbers 6:9-26 (Nazirite vow and offering if broken
Numbers 6:22-23 ESV
Luke 24:44-49 ESV
Luke 24:50-53 ESV
Matthew 5:3-10 NIV
Even though as I’ve grown older I’ve stopped saying, “Oh That is my favorite scripture” I really can say it’s at least in my list to top 100 scriptures!
One thing is certain…the older I get, studying scripture is a special blessing that I love.
My professors in Seminary certainly did give me great tools in my toolbox and I came to realize that studying and understanding the ancient text is one of the greatest blessings of my life (along with my family).
Being able to study the ancient languages was difficult but it had an abundant reward.
Numbers 6:24-26 says, “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.”
In addition to being able to study the ancient Hebrew (or Koine Greek) is a blessing and so is putting together the pieces related to the background of the text. In this case, as Numbers 6 opens verse 1 Moses explains the meaning of consecrating and offering and understanding the vow a Nazirite takes.
Consecrating from the Hebrew word that sounds like ‘yap-li’ means to see it as being marvelous, exceptional and even miraculous.
A Nazirite was considered to be separated from others who served. For example they took a vow to not drink strong drink and to not mourn the passing of their closest relative. Scriptures that help us to understand the meaning of Nazirite are found in Judges 13:5 (Sampson), Luke 1:15 (John the Baptist), and in Acts 18:18 (Paul of Tarsus). Women were not allowed to be a priest, but a Hebrew woman could take the vow of a Nazirite. A man or woman who took a Nazirite vow for a time did not cut their hair.
We remember Sampson let his hair grow as part of his Nazirite vow (Judges 16).
Numbers 6:9-12 explained what happens when a Nazirite breaks the vow, and Numbers 6:13 to Numbers 6:23 outlines the sacrifice offered and the intention of the blessing received.
Beginning in Numbers 6:24 there is a shift in the text from the explanation of the procedures made by those who had taken a vow of the Nazirites.
We need to be aware that the vow of the Nazirites that was given was not because it was earned. It’s like a promise given because of the desire to serve in a special way.
As high priest Aaron explains the law and vow of the Nazirites who I made it possible for the children of Israel to be consecrated to the Lord.
The Nazirite vow was an example of complete surrender to God showing the children of Israel’s obedience to God and His Word. The first part of Numbers 6 served as an example of God’s hope and promise for His children.
In Numbers 6:22-23 we are told, “The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, Thus you shall bless the people of Israel.” And Aaron gave the children of Israel the blessing in Numbers 6:24-26.
The blessing was given to Israel because God told Moses, Aaron and his sons to bless the children of Israel.
In Luke 24 when Jesus was preparing His disciples as he left them, He was preparing them for His departure (the Ascension to Heaven).
As Jesus spoke to His disciples in Luke 24:44-49 he told them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.”
Aaron blessed the children of Israel, and Jesus blessed His disciples.
We are told the in Luke 24:50-53 he, “led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them. While he blessed them, he parted from them and was carried up into heaven. And they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple blessing God.”
The blessing we are often given today is much the same. Many churches offer a blessing as we depart to go out into the world.
And so, today be very blessed:
“Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:3-10).
Spiritual Practice: The Blessing
Name one way God has blessed you in your life.
In God, Deborah
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