Being Like a Nazirite
The sixth book of Numbers talks about the vow of a Nazirite. A Nazirite is a person who chooses to separate himself from the world in order to devote his life to God. John the Baptist, for example, was a Nazirite. In Numbers 6:1-5, it is written:
“The Lord said to Moses, “Speak to the Israelites and say to them: ‘If a man or woman wants to make a special vow, a vow of dedication to the Lord as a Nazirite, they must abstain from wine and other fermented drink and must not drink vinegarmade from wine or other fermented drink. They must not drink grape juice or eat grapesor raisins. As long as they remain under their Nazirite vow, they must not eat anything that comes from the grapevine, not even the seeds or skins. “‘During the entire period of their Nazirite vow, no razor may be used on their head. They must be holy until the period of their dedication to the Lord is over; they must let their hair grow long.”
The passage above shows that before a man or woman is to make a vow as a Nazirite to God, he or she must fast from certain foods and drinks, and should not cut or shave his or her hair. It is clear that the people at the time were to take their vows to God very seriously. However, what about the vows we make to each other, nowadays?