Where is the chink in your armor?
During the period of Judges, Samson is born to Zorah and Manoah and given the role as a Nazrite for life. The Nazarite vow involved these three things: (1) abstinence from wine and strong drink, (2) refraining from cutting the hair off the head during the whole period of the vow, (3) the avoidance of contact with the dead people and animals (Deut. 7:3-4; Jdg 13:4-7). Early on in his life we find him eroticized by a foreign woman, toying with the enemy, and not listening to his parents. Unfortunately, he grew up like a playboy and seemed ignorant of the dangers involved with lust and sex. Yet, God assigned him to be a great defender of Israel. As a Nazarite he had certain boundaries and markers to govern his behavior, consequently, he moved them almost his entire life. Samson is one of the most flamboyant and colorful characters of the Bible who gives us a picture of a man that is unable to bridle his anger and lust. Sadly he squandered his great potential and partially fulfilled his calling in life.
Did you know that the vow of the Nazirite could be taken by a man or a woman (v. 2), or even a slave, but not a Gentile (Mishnah Nazir ix.1). It could be made for a specific period (a minimum of thirty days) or be a lifelong commitment (i.3–5). If taken for a specific period, certain sacrificial offerings were required at the end of the period, including offering the hair that had grown during the vow as a burnt offering (Num. 6:13–20). Similar sacrifices were required for a Nazirite who broke one of the conditions of the vow (vv. 9–12).[1]
- Do you know your life calling?
- Have you ever made a vow to God?
- What was it and why?
- Did you keep it?
[1] Myers, A. C. (1987). In The Eerdmans Bible dictionary (p. 751). Eerdmans.
Did you know that the vow of the Nazirite could be taken by a man or a woman (v. 2), or even a slave, but not a Gentile (Mishnah Nazir ix.1). It could be made for a specific period (a minimum of thirty days) or be a lifelong commitment (i.3–5). If taken for a specific period, certain sacrificial offerings were required at the end of the period, including offering the hair that had grown during the vow as a burnt offering (Num. 6:13–20). Similar sacrifices were required for a Nazirite who broke one of the conditions of the vow (vv. 9–12).[1]
- Do you know your life calling?
- Have you ever made a vow to God?
- What was it and why?
- Did you keep it?
[1] Myers, A. C. (1987). In The Eerdmans Bible dictionary (p. 751). Eerdmans.
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