The Nazirite Vow And

Yeshua's Fingerprints

Naso:

A notable date: Before we get into this week's torah portion. I thought that I would inform you, on the following date, June 2^nd 1967 that Israeli paratroopers, captured the Old city of Jerusalem, along with the temple mound. Solders danced and sang and cried at the Western Wall, the site where the Jewish people, have prayed for centuries.

        This week's portion "Naso," {Lev 4:21 - 7:21 } covers a wide range of subjects. Though, I have always been fascinated, with Sampson and how he foreshadowed Yeshua, in spite of his evil traits In turn when I read this week's portion, what caught my attention, was the nazirite vow. Hence I want to examine the nazirite vow in order to see, how it refers to Yeshua.

     That said, the Hebrew word for nazirite is "nazir," means separate. Thus, a nazirite vow, was a vow in which once made, separated the person making it, unto the Lord.

        The span of a nazirite vow, could be any length of time, but the length of time mention in this week's portion, is 30 days. That said, once a person uttered a naziite vow, there were standards they must adhere to, for example.

        A nazirite was prohibited from having any contact, with a dead body. {Num 6:6 } What recent passage, have we covered that is thematically related to this? Remember {Num 5:2 } stated, anyone coming in contact with a dead body, must be banished from the camp. They were banished, because once they came in contact with a dead body, they were ritual unclean.

        That said, in the book of Leviticus, we learned that there were circumstances that made a person "tamei," or unclean, and coming in contact with a dead body, was just one of them.

        A person also became "tamei" by sinning, namely by disobeying the Lord's commandments, for example. In David's affair with Bath-sheba, David broke the Lord's commandments. {Ex 20:14} Making David "tamei," or unclean. In light of this, in David's prayer of repentance. David stated, "purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow." {Ps 51:7} Why?

       Well, once a person became "tamei," the only way they could come within a holy G-d's presents, was through the shading of innocent blood. I mention this fact, because often when preachers allude to the prior verse. They will point out the fact that this verse alludes to Jesus' {Yeshua} cleansing blood, and it does.

      Although what they fail to mention, is how David was "tamei," because of his sin and couldn't go within a holy G-d's presents. Explaining why David stated, "wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin." Ps 51:2

      A person could only go within a holy G-d presents, when they were "tahor," or ritually clean. And because David had disobeyed the Lord's commandment, he wasn't clean. Knowing this, David did not, enter the temple and G-d's presents, until he was ritual clean. And he didn't become "tahor," until he offered up a sacrifice. Can you see, Yeshua' cleansing blood here?

         Moving on, when a person made a nazirite vow. They became separated from any thing that would make them "tamei, or ritual unclean.

       All the days that he separates himself to the LORD he shall not go near a dead body. He shall not make himself unclean even for his father or his mother, for his brother or his sister, when they die, because his separation to God is on his head. All the days of his separation he shall be holy to the LORD. Num 6:6-8

        Does this passage ring a bell? It is very similar to {Lev 21:10- 11 ,} which states, the high priest mustn't defile himself, by coming in contact with a dead body. The priests themselves, were allowed to defile themselves, for a relative. Though the high priest himself, was prohibited, from attending the funeral of a love one, be it his wife or children.

       Making the nazirite vow thematically related, to the high priest. This means that a nazirite, was equivalent, to the high priest. You should bear this in mind, because it will play a significant role in this week's lesson, later on.

       Next a nazirite was prohibited, from shaving or cutting his hair. {Num 6:5 ,} for example. Delilah was offered a considerable sum of money, a thousand shekels or more, for finding the source of Sampson's strength.

       Though Sampson deceived her, three times. The first time by saying, if he was bound by a string that had been dried, {a bow string} he would become weak, like other men. {Judges 16:7 } However when Sampson was bound, Delilah cried out and the Philistines came rushing in. Only to witness, Sampson braking the string. Judges 16:8 - 9

       You would think upon seeing, the Philistines rushing in, that Sampson would have departed. Though, no doubt Sampson thought, he was in convincible. Thus I'm remindful that "pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall." Prov 16:18

        Though instead departing, Sampson deceived Delilah into thinking, if he was bound by new cord, his strength would be sapped. When Delilah bound him, Sampson easily broke the cord, like thread.

Judges 16:10 - 12

        The third deception Sampson led Delilah into believing, if she will weave together "seven" locks of his' hair, he would lose his' strength. So, Delilah eagerly wove together seven locks of Sampson's hair. Then she cried out, the Philistines are upon you! Only to watch Sampson jump to his feet. Judges 16:14

        The story of Sampson, has Messiah's footprints all over it, for example. Yeshua said, "I and the father are one." {John 10:30 } This is significant, because the Lord {Yeshua}created the heavens and the earth in six days, and on the "seventh" day, He rested. So, the seven locks, alludes to Yeshua.

     Finely Delilah coerced, Sampson into foolishly saying, "no razor has ever come upon my head, for I have been a Nazirite to God from my mother's womb. If I am shaven, then my strength will leave me, and I shall become weak, and be like any other man." {Judg 16:17 }

         Afterwards Delilah had coerced, Sampson into sleeping on her knees. Then she summoned a man, who shaved Sampson's head, which remember was tabu for a nazirite. So, when Sampson awoke he said, "I will go out as before, at other times, and shake myself free!" But he did not know that the LORD had departed from him. {Judg 16:20 } It appears when Sampson's head, was shaved. The spirit of the Lord left him.

        In light of this, read {Lev 21:10 - 11 } once again. What else in this passage is thematically related, to the nazirite vow? Note the emphasis placed, on the head or crown, for example. The High Priest has the anointing oil, placed on his head. Whereas the nazirite's hair, is a crown unto the Lord.

       Sampson's hair then, was one of things that sat him apart, unto the Lord. However upon the shaving of his head, his nazirite vow, became null and void. In turn no longer was Sampson, set apart unto the Lord, like the High Priest. Now can you discern why, Sampson's strength departed him, upon the shaving of his' head.

        Similar to the High Priest, a nazirite was prohibited, from drinking wine, or eating anything from the vine. How is this prohibition, related to the priest? Well {Lev 10:9 } states, they were not suppose to drink intoxicating drink, upon entering the tabernacle. Furthering strengthen the bond between a nazirite, and the priesthood. Now can you discern, how closely related a nazirite vow, is to the High Priest?

       In summary the purpose of a nazirite vow, was made so that a person might separate himself and draw closer to G-d. It could be said, that a nazirite could obtain the same degree of holiness, as the High Priest.

      Moving on, I have learned anytime I see a reference to the following three things, in the torah {the first five books of the bible} that these three things, are alluding to Yeshua. The first being a picture, of the resurrection. The second, is a picture of renewed life, from impending death. And lastly, a picture of renewed life, from death.

        On this note, Sampson's mother was barren. Though, an angel suddenly appeared, in order to informed her that she would give birth to a son. {Judges 13:2 -3 } Remember Sampson's mother's womb, was died. In that she, was barren. So, the picture that is being painted here. Is a picture of renew life, from death, upon Sampson's birth.

       The fact that Sampson's mother was barren, is significant. Because Sampson's birth, is viewed as life, coming out of a dead womb. Clearly this is a reference to Yeshua's virgin birth.

      Then the angel went on to tell Sampson's mother, how to raise a nazirite. In doing so, Sampson's mother was instructed not to allow, Sampson to drink anything, from the vine. Neither was a razor to come, upon Sampson's head. {Judges 13:4 - 5 } Clearly these instructions, are related to this week's torah portion, found in {Num 6 . }

A date worth noting: On June 3^rd, 930 BC or Iya 29, on the Hebrew calender. The prophet Samuel was born to Hannah, who name means "gracious." I added this footnote, because a dear friend of mine, has a daughter named, Hannah. So, whenever I read of Hannah, I think of her.

       Anyway Hannah, like Sampson's mother was barren.,{1 Sam 1:5 } which brought her anguish. In turn Hannah eventually arose one day, and went to the tabernacle and pray. Upon arriving, she began to pray Hannah, the following prayer.

        As Hannah was uttering, her prayer. Eli, who was the High Priest, witnessed her lips moving. In turn Eli thought that Hannah, was drunk. So Eli asked, "how long have you been drunk, put your wine away?{1 Sam 1:14 } To which Hannah answered, "no, my lord, I am a woman of sorrowful spirit. I have drunk neither wine nor intoxicating drink, but have poured out my soul before the LORD." 1 Sam 1:15

         It didn't dawned on me, until recently that Hannah's reply, is thematically related to the nazirite vow, found in {Num 6 .} In that before Hannah's concepción, Hannah made a naziite vow, on behalf of her future son, Samuel. This is significant, because in giving birth to Samuel, she gave birth to a nazirite. Why do I say this?

        Well before I answer this question. In Samuel's birth, we have a picture of renew life, from death in Samuel's birth, which is a foreshadow of the Messiah.

        That said, Hannah promised, if the Lord would answer her prayer, by granting her a son. She would dedicate Samual, to the Lord. In doing so Hannah said, no razor would come in contact, with Samuel's head. Making Samuel, a nazirite from birth.

         I believe Samuel's father hailed from the tribe of Ephraim. If I'm right then Samuel, wasn't a Levite. Yet Samuel served in the role of High Priest. How did he?

       Could the fact that Samuel, was a nazirite, allowed him too? Because remember it was possible for a nazirite, to obtain the same degree of holiness, as the High Priest.

        Now that I have mention two barren women, who incredibly gave birth. Can you think of a woman in the gospels, who has this in common, with these women? No, I'm not thinking of Mary though, she would too.

        Remember Elizabeth, John the Baptist's mother in {Luke 1:7 ,} was barren also. Add to this fact, Elizabeth and her husband, Zacharias were both advance in age.

        Making a long story short, Zacharias was a Cohen priest, who served in the temple, and it was the custom for the priests to draw lots each mourning, in order to find out. Who would have the honor, of lighting the alter of incense. {Luke 1:9 }

      According Jewish history, in spite that Zacharias, was advance in age, and had served in the temple for decades. Zacharias had never had the honor, of lighting the alter of incense. However on this particular mourning, the lots fell on him.

      As Zacharias was lighting the alter of incense, a multitude of people awaited, Zacharias to finish. Then come out, and pronounce the Aaronic blessing on them. Though as Zacharias was lighting the alter of incense, the angel of the Lord appeared, standing on the right side of the alter of incense. {Luke 1:11 }

        Why the right side? Well the right side in the scriptures, signify power. On this note, remember the last time in scriptures that the angel of Lord, appeared anywhere near Jerusalem.

      It was after David, had ordered a census of men of military age, which displeased the Lord. In turn G-d sent, the angel of Lord with a sword in hand, to reap His vengeance on Jerusalem. 1 Chron 21:15

      So, upon seeing the angel of Lord, Zacharias became fearful. Though the angel of Lord stated, "do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer is heard; and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth. For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink. He will also be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother's womb. And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. He will also go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, 'to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,' and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord." Luke 1:13-17

       According to the sages, "what happened to the fathers, will happen to the sons," for example. Remember when an angel, appeared to Abraham, in order to inform him, he would father a son in his advance age. That he laughed, at the notion, of fathering a son at his age. {Gen 17:17 } Thus I'm remindful that Yeshua said, "with men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." {Matt 19:26 } This is the same statement, the angel posed to Sarah, when she laughed at the notion, of giving birth to a son. Gen 18:14

      I alluded to Yeshua's statement, because Zacharias didn't laugh, but he did questioned, how a man of his advance age, would father a son? {Luke 1:18 } Then the angel replied, "I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and was sent to speak to you and bring you these glad tidings. But behold, you will be mute and not  to speak until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words which will be fulfilled in their own time." Luke 1:19-20

         The fact that Zacharias couldn't speck, until John's birth, for not believing in the Lord. Served as a reminder, there is always a price to pay for unbelief, and the ultimate price is damnation!

        Remember the multitude of people, who were waiting for Zacharias to appear out of the temple, to pronounce the Aaronic blessing on them? Well when Zacharias finely appeared, he was mute and couldn't speck. Thus, the people knew, something remarkably had happened in the temple. Though, Zacharias couldn't tell them, what? Luke 1:22

        Remember when Gabriel was informing Zacharias, of the impending birth of John. That in doing so, he informed Zacharias that John, was not to partake of anything of the vine. Luke 1:15

       I pointed this fact out, because like Samuel, John was a nazirite from birth. Though, unlike Samuel, John the Baptist, hailed from the tribe of Levi. Making John a Levi priest also. Hence we have another connection between a nazirite, and the Cohen priest.

        It is quite obvious in all of these three women's cases, the Lord is painting a picture of Yeshua. How so, you ask? We can you discern, from the fact that all of these three women were barren, that their wombs, were died. Thus, in each of these women's births. We are presented with a picture of renew life, from death. Which as we all know, is a picture of Yeshua.

        Specking of drawing a picture, read {1 Sam 16:1 -13 .} Now how is Samuel's ministry thematically related, to John the Baptist's ministry? Well Samuel revealed to Israel, who was the Lord's chose as king, in Saul and later on David. Just as John the Baptist revealed, "the King of kings." When he said, "behold the Lamb of G-d." John 1:29

       To carry this a step further, what two events in the life of Samuel and the life of John that are thematically related to each other? John the Baptist anointed Yeshua through baptism, or immersion. Whereas Samuel anointed David, with oil. Then in both cases, the holy spirit, came on them both. 1 Sam 16:13 & John 1:32

         Why the fingerprints of Yeshua is all over these two stories, for example. Just as Samuel anointed David as king, in front of his brothers. John anointed, or baptized Yeshua, in the presents of His' brothers as well.

         Remember Yeshua said, "if you believed Moses, you would believe Me; for he wrote about Me." {John 5:46 } So, if Moses wrote of Yeshua, then how does this week's portion, allude to Yeshua? Well Yeshua's fingerprints is littered throughout this portion too, for example.

         Remember how a nazirite was prohibited from consuming wine, or anything from the vine, such as grapes. {Num 6:3 - 4 } Now read {Matt 26: 26 - 31.} How is this passage related to Num 6:3 - 4 ?

       They are related in that Yeshua made a vow, not to drink of the fruit of the vine, just prior to going to the Cross. {Matt. 26:29 } This is significant, because the vow that Yeshua made, was a nazirite vow, which is found in the law. What can we discern from this?

       Yeshua was twice offered vinegar, while He was nailed to the Cross. The first time He refused though, the second time, He accepted. Why, the second time?

       Well Yeshua accepted the vinegar, which is made from grapes, at the time of His death. Because Yeshua was already ritually defile. How so, you ask? Well my sins, along with the sins of the world, was laid on Him. So, He was already defiled anyway.

      That said, the ingestion of grapes, or contact with death, nullified a Naziite vow. Hence Yeshua's partaking of the fruit of the vine, {vinegar} is His acceptance of impending death. That said, a vow severed by contact with death, must be re-initiated, only after purification. However Yeshua's resurrection, served as Yeshua's purification from death. Therefore upon Yeshua' resurrection, His nazirite vow was reestablish. In closing, what can we gleam this?

    Remember how Samuel though, he wasn't a Levite, served in the role of the High Priest? This is significant, because Yeshua in making a nazirite vow, is correctly serving as our High Priest, after the order of Melchizedek. {Heb 6:20 } Now can you discern, how the nazirite vow, foreshadow Yeshua?

     So, before Yeshua's death and resurrection, He made a nazirite vow. Which as we have seen, is closely associated, with the High Priest. In turn like Samuel before Him, the nazirite vow, cleared the way, for Yeshua to serve as our High Priest in heaven, where He is making intercessions for us. Yet, we are told, the law is done away with! If so, then G-d help us, because Yeshua , isn't serving as our High Priest then!

         May the LORD bless you and keep you. May the LORD make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you. May the LORD lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace." Num 6:22- 26

                       He is my defense; I shall not be moved. Ps 62:2