People Special to God (Numbers 5-6)
TEXT: Numbers 6:1-6
1 The LORD said to Moses, 2 “Speak to the Israelites and say to them: ”If a man or woman wants to make a special vow, a vow of separation to the LORD as a Nazirite, 3 he must abstain from wine and other fermented drink and must not drink vinegar made from wine or from other fermented drink. He must not drink grape juice or eat grapes or raisins. 4 As long as he is a Nazirite, he must not eat anything that comes from the grapevine, not even the seeds or skins. 5 ” ”During the entire period of his vow of separation no razor may be used on his head. He must be holy until the period of his separation to the LORD is over; he must let the hair of his head grow long. 6 Throughout the period of his separation to the LORD he must not go near a dead body.
- Was a Nazirite vow a temporary or a permanent obligation?
- Verse 7 mentions “the symbol of his separation to God.” What is behind the symbols of grapes, haircuts, or approaching a dead body?
- Samson and John the Baptist were two famous Nazirites. How much do we know about female Nazirites (v. 1)?
TEXT: Numbers 6:22-27
22 The LORD said to Moses, 23 “Tell Aaron and his sons, ”This is how you are to bless the Israelites. Say to them:
24 The LORD bless you and keep you;
25 the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you;
26 the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace.
27 “So they will put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them.”
- Blessings and curses were pronounced on people, animals, and things. Should we view them as prayers or predictions?
- The notion of God’s face dominates this priestly blessing. Is God’s face more important than the other parts of His body?
- Are blessing pronouncements common in our culture?
Lesson: In Bible times lay people also were special to God.
