God’s Principle of Separation
February 10
Bible Reading: Numbers Chapters 4-6
God’s Principle of Separation
In Numbers 6:1-21, we read about the
law of the Nazirite. God established the Nazirite rule to form a small group
who would separate themselves from others in total service to God (Num 6:2).
They would follow special rules to be closer in mind and spirit to God. There are
two kinds of Nazirites mentioned in the Bible:
- Those who were separated from the womb - like Samson (Judges 13:5) and John the Baptist (Luke 1:15)
- Those who were separated by a particular vow (Num 6:2)
The
Nazirites were required to be holy (Num 6:8) and were esteemed pure by others
(Lam 4:7). Due to this, they were prohibited from wine or strong drink (Num
6:3, Luke 1:15) and also from grapes or anything made from the vine (Num 6:3-4,
Judges 13:14). They were also prohibited from cutting hair or shaving the head
(Num 6:5, Judges 13:5; 16:17) and from defiling themselves by the dead (Num
6:6-7). They were raised by God for the good of the nation (Amos 2:11).
However, we
find a bad example in the case of Samson who disregarded two of the three main
prohibitions of the Nazirite: touching the dead (Judges 14:8-9) and cutting
hair (Judges 16:19). Due to this, he had a tragic end in his life and is a
warning to us as well.
God has also set up a principle of separation for us. We should not be unequally yoked with unbelievers through marriage, and we should stay away from everything that is unclean. Our bodies are the temples of the living God (2 Cor. 6:14-16). Therefore "Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you. I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, says the LORD Almighty.” (2 Cor. 6:17-18)
