Bible Study: Placing God First
Placing God First 02.14.08
Hello My Friend/Guest,
It is Thursday February 14, 2008 and today we are continuing our studies on the book of Numbers. Please read Numbers 5 -- 6. In today's lesson we will read and learn about the Nazarite vow; and the laws concerning cleansing, confession, restitution, and jealousy.
Nazarite is a Hebrew term meaning, dedication by separation, the Nazarite vow committed an individual to a life set to God for a specific period of time or even for life. "And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When either man or woman shall separate themselves to vow a vow of a Nazarite, to separate themselves unto the LORD: He shall separate himself from wine and strong drink, and shall drink no vinegar of wine, or vinegar of strong drink, neither shall he drink any liquor of grapes, nor eat moist grapes, or dried. All the days of his separation shall he eat nothing that is made of the vine tree, from the kernels even to the husk. All the days of the vow of his separation there shall no razor come upon his head: until the days be fulfilled, in the which he separateth himself unto the LORD, he shall be holy, and shall let the locks of the hair of his head grow. All the days that he separateth himself unto the LORD he shall come at no dead body. He shall not make himself unclean for his father, or for his mother, for his brother, or for his sister, when they die: because the consecration of his God is upon his head. All the days of his separation he is holy unto the LORD." (Numbers 6:1-8).
The Nazarite willingly gave up physical satisfaction to be devoted to the Lord. He did not sacrifice merely his personal pleasures but his total being. The Nazarite's personal dedication to God was to serve Him with a perfect heart and with a willng mind at all times. The Nazarite's consecration to God was expressed in several ways including abstinence from grape juice, fresh grapes, or raisins, representative of the best of physical satisfaction. They were also forbidden to touch a corpse even if it was their parent that had died. To be defiled by the dead was representative of spiritual deadness. But, the Nazarite was still responsible for offering all the usual sacrifices, such as the sin offering. This points out that, even in doing our very best to separate ourselves from the world, we still fall short of being free from all spiritual defilement.
However, the Apostle John wrote to Christians saying that if we say that we have fellowship with God and intentionally sin then we are deceiving ourselves, but He is faithful and just, cleansing us from all sin. "If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (I John 1:6-9). Although the Nazarite vow no longer applies, our personal dedication to God is vital to fulfilling His will for our lives.
The Christian should, like the Nazarite, desire to go beyond what is necessary to "just be a Christian," recognizing the value of a personal relationship with Christ. Christians should also be willing to give up anything that keeps them from being their best to serve and worship the Lord. There was nothing sinful about eating grapes; but, often, even the "good" things of life take the place of Christ. Those who love Christ will abstain from pleasures that interfere with serving His needs first.
In today's lesson Jesus Christ is revealed as the Nazarite who dedicated Himself to God. (Numbers 6:1-8). Jesus dedicated Himself to do only the will of His Father, even unto death
Today's Psalm: 16:7
"I will bless the LORD, who hath given me counsel: my reins also instruct me in the night seasons."
Today's Prayer: From Psal m 18:46-49
The LORD liveth; and blessed be my rock; and let the God of my salvation be exalted. It is God that avengeth me, and subdueth the people under me. He delivereth me from mine enemies: yea, thou liftest me up above those that rise up against me: thou hast delivered me from the violent man. Therefore will I give thanks unto thee, O LORD, among the heathen, and sing praises unto thy name.
Have a wonderful day/night. Happy Valentine's Day and remember God loves you and I love you too.
God Bless,
Christina
