Nathan W. Bingham

An instruction both for mother and for child. There's a very specific instruction that his mother is not to drink and his hair is not to be cut. And these are not just random directions from the Lord. This is a reminder of the Nazarite vow described in number 6. And in number six, we're told that some in Israel will be called to a special consecration.

An instruction both for mother and for child. There's a very specific instruction that his mother is not to drink and his hair is not to be cut. And these are not just random directions from the Lord. This is a reminder of the Nazarite vow described in number 6. And in number six, we're told that some in Israel will be called to a special consecration.

will be called to a special separation from the world and its practices. Not because drinking or cutting hair is wrong in and of itself, but they will mark their, we might say, radical dedication to the Lord, their hyper-consecration to the Lord, by giving up things that would be all right in other people. And it'll be a mark of how completely their lives are set aside to the Lord.

will be called to a special separation from the world and its practices. Not because drinking or cutting hair is wrong in and of itself, but they will mark their, we might say, radical dedication to the Lord, their hyper-consecration to the Lord, by giving up things that would be all right in other people. And it'll be a mark of how completely their lives are set aside to the Lord.

And this in Numbers chapter 6 is called a Nazarite vow, which is another case of just not translating Hebrew words. You know, if the word angel is just a Greek word for messenger, why don't we translate it messenger instead of angel? Well, Nazarite in Hebrew is simply the word for separated, right? So the Nazarite vow is a separation vow or a consecration vow. And so this is really important.

And this in Numbers chapter 6 is called a Nazarite vow, which is another case of just not translating Hebrew words. You know, if the word angel is just a Greek word for messenger, why don't we translate it messenger instead of angel? Well, Nazarite in Hebrew is simply the word for separated, right? So the Nazarite vow is a separation vow or a consecration vow. And so this is really important.

This is at the heart of who Samson is. He's to be separated unto the Lord. He's to be consecrated to the Lord. His life is to be different. His life is to have a special dedication to And so he's not to cut his hair, not because there's anything magic in not cutting your hair, but because it's a constant sign to him that his life is different.

This is at the heart of who Samson is. He's to be separated unto the Lord. He's to be consecrated to the Lord. His life is to be different. His life is to have a special dedication to And so he's not to cut his hair, not because there's anything magic in not cutting your hair, but because it's a constant sign to him that his life is different.

If it's something special not to cut your hair, then it must have been common to cut your hair. And so whereas a lot of other men will have cut hair, he will have uncut hair. And this will be a constant reminder to him and others that he's different, that he's separate, that he's consecrated. And This is crucial, I think, as we conclude this look for the need of Samson.

If it's something special not to cut your hair, then it must have been common to cut your hair. And so whereas a lot of other men will have cut hair, he will have uncut hair. And this will be a constant reminder to him and others that he's different, that he's separate, that he's consecrated. And This is crucial, I think, as we conclude this look for the need of Samson.

What does Israel need in Samson? It needs him to be separate. It needs him to be consecrated. It needs him to be holy. That's one of the meanings of holy, set apart. We think of Samson as strong. God wanted us to think about Samson as separated. And the tragedy of the story of Samson is his failure to be separated.

What does Israel need in Samson? It needs him to be separate. It needs him to be consecrated. It needs him to be holy. That's one of the meanings of holy, set apart. We think of Samson as strong. God wanted us to think about Samson as separated. And the tragedy of the story of Samson is his failure to be separated.

You're listening to the Friday edition of Renewing Your Mind, and that was W. Robert Godfrey. If you'd like to continue your study of Samson, you can request the 10-part series and the study guide when you give a donation of any amount at renewingyourmind.org or when you call us at 800-435-4343. Your donation will help fuel the spread of Renewing Your Mind in English and Spanish

You're listening to the Friday edition of Renewing Your Mind, and that was W. Robert Godfrey. If you'd like to continue your study of Samson, you can request the 10-part series and the study guide when you give a donation of any amount at renewingyourmind.org or when you call us at 800-435-4343. Your donation will help fuel the spread of Renewing Your Mind in English and Spanish

and help teaching series like you heard today be translated and distributed in the world's top 20 languages. Samson was God's instrument to rescue Israel from the Philistines during the era of the judges. And you can learn more about him when you give a gift of any amount at renewingyourmind.org or by clicking the link in the podcast show notes.

and help teaching series like you heard today be translated and distributed in the world's top 20 languages. Samson was God's instrument to rescue Israel from the Philistines during the era of the judges. And you can learn more about him when you give a gift of any amount at renewingyourmind.org or by clicking the link in the podcast show notes.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Before the judges, there was great strength in Israel and then gradual spiritual weakening in Israel. And that's when God instituted the office of the judges to help the people in their spiritually declining and compromised state.

Before the judges, there was great strength in Israel and then gradual spiritual weakening in Israel. And that's when God instituted the office of the judges to help the people in their spiritually declining and compromised state.