holy is the Lord

GOD spoke to Moses: "Speak to the People of Israel; tell them, If any of you, man or woman, wants to make a special Nazirite vow, consecrating yourself totally to GOD, you must not drink any wine or beer, no intoxicating drink of any kind, not even the juice of grapes--in fact, you must not even eat grapes or raisins. For the duration of the consecration, nothing from the grapevine--not even the seeds, not even the skin--may be eaten.

"Also, for the duration of the consecration you must not have your hair cut. Your long hair will be a continuing sign of holy separation to GOD.

"Also, for the duration of the consecration to GOD, you must not go near a corpse. Even if it's the body of your father or mother, brother or sister, you must not ritually defile yourself because the sign of consecration to God is on your head.

"For the entire duration of your consecration you are holy to GOD."

[...]

"These are the instructions for Nazirites as they bring offerings to GOD in their vow of consecration, beyond their other offerings. They must carry out the vow they have vowed following the instructions for the Nazirite."

Numbers 6:1-8 & 21

I guess I've really had this on my mind recently. I stumbled over it a few weeks ago and it's kind of been turning over in my mind. There's something amazing about a whole bunch of people, who already have enough trust in the Lord to lead them out of Egypt, sitting in the desert (literally the wilderness, with nothing at all that they own or any comforts) and deciding to make a vow to God, to separate themselves from all the human preoccupations and really seek Him out for a certain period of time. It takes discipline and a desire to say "I'm all Yours God. Everyday that's true. But just so I remember that I'm going to take this vow that is fully and absolutely about You. I want to be holy onto You".

So what would it take for me to make a Nazirite vow? Now, in 2006? Things have changed. I'm not literally in the desert, looking for food - but I think spiritually I've been there.

What would I have to give up? What would I have to let go of? What would I need to start doing? What bits of my life are not about pursuing God? Which bits get swept under the carpet?

As far as I can see, there are a few things a Narzarite committed to do.

1. They would choose to make this vow. It wasn't required. But if they had a heart searching for Him and wanted to get to know Him better, then they could take this vow.
2. Separation. It's a big scary word. Taking one's self out of the world and all it's false promises. Being different. Being set apart. Following something else than everyone else.
3. Not indulging in something that could take over. Giving up something. The Israelites gave up alcohol. Something that could be all consuming - something good but also something that could take over life. Instead, they lived a life of fasting, waiting for spiritual drink.
4. An outward sign. The Israelites stopped cutting their hair as an outward sign of their separation.
5. Not making themselves impure by being close to the dead
6. Constant offerings and a promise.

It's a big list. And God was quite clear he didn't want slackers along for the ride. So what would I have to do to take up this vow? Put God first in everything? Let go of the areas of my life where something else is in the way? Tricky. Scary. Separate myself from the ways of the culture that I know, deep down, are not pleasing to Him? Have the courage and conviction to not just "go with the flow"? What sins would I have to stop in order to ensure I kept my heart pure and suitable as a dwelling place? What would I offer to the Lord? What would I bring to His table? Personally, I guess, the outward sign is something that would happen if this other stuff could be got right. I think, if I could do this, then the outward sign would be the better relationship with God and the effect this would have, powerfully, tremendously, wonderfully, on my life.

It's a bit scary though.