This week we read about two of the Levite clans and their responsibilities. God then tells Moses to tell the people to keep the camp clean. He tells them to remove people with skin disease and anyone who is ceremonially unclean. Because God lives among the people. The people are removed because the camp was to remain Holy. Nothing unholy can be around God. For the people’s protection they were to be removed for their safety and the safety of anyone near them. God them goes into how to make things right with their fellow man by making restitution to keep the camp clean. The one at fault would have to pay the price of the damages plus 20%. If there was no family member then the restitution would go to the Priests.

God then deals with wives who cheat on their husbands. As well as jealous suspicious husbands. God prescribes a ritual that would be conducted which would prove whether she was innocent or guilty. This is one of the most bizarre things in the Bible. When you read it reads like a witches brew and a cursed magic potion. If the women was guilty she would drink the bitter water with curses and her womb would shrivel and die. Her abdomen would swell and it would be a sign she was unfaithful.

Then we learn about the Nazarite Vow. Only the Levites could serve in the temple. However anyone male or female can serve the Lord. Any person who made a Nazarite vow would make a special offering, the same as the High Priest when he becomes ordained as Priest. At the ceremony the Priest will be given a special head piece with gold. The Nazarite is not given anything for their head. They are required to shave their head the day of the vow. They are not allowed to cut their hair again until the end of the vow.

A Nazarite would not be allowed to have any alcoholic drink. They are not allowed to eat or drink anything from the grape vine. They are not allowed to be around any dead body during the vow. If they were exposed to a dead person they would have to start the vow over from the beginning.

At the end of the vow the Nazarite would make the same offering as the High Priest then shave their head. The Nazarite would then burn the hair on the alter with the peace offering. The word for the Nazarite’s hair used in Hebrew is crown. This is the Old Testament version of Revelations when we lay our crowns down and they are burned to see if they turn into jewels.

Here is the most interesting part of the Nazarite Vow. Jesus was called a Nazarite all throughout the Gospels. Notice Jesus associated with wine drinkers. It never says anything about Him drinking. Jesus told the servants at the wedding to fill the wash pot with water and it turned to wine. Jesus only gave a command. Jesus said He would not be able to drink again until He comes back. Jesus raised the dead because if He did not He would have to begin the vow all over again. Jesus didn’t have a choice. He had to raise the dead because His word would not return void. Jesus had his hair ripped out when He went to the cross. He could not remain dead as it would have made the vow null and void.

Jesus was set apart. He was Holy as unto the Lord. He was a Nazarite based on where He hailed from and from the Vow. Jesus is our example of how to be Holy. Jesus was accused of associating with wine drinkers, politicians, and tax collectors. These were the most worldly people of the day. Jesus hung out with them never comprising His integrity. They never changed Jesus. Jesus always changed them with His presence. Jesus said we would do greater things than what was written about Him. What lives are you changing with your presence? Are you set apart or are just like everyone else? If you settle for being like everyone else you will miss your purpose.