W. Robert Godfrey

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 separation.

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.

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.

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.