Numbers 6:1-27

Vows are sacred promises made to God and are to be taken very seriously.  The Nazirite vow was a specific type of vow that a man or a woman could make separating themselves wholly to the Lord for a specific period of their life.  During this time they were to let their hair grow, abstain from unclean foods, not drink any sort of wine or even grape juice and they were not to come near to a dead body even if it was a very close family member.  At all costs they were to remain ceremonially clean.  Here are a few thoughts on vows.

VOWS ARE VOLUNTARY: No one is required to make one of these vows.  They are entered into by choice with the full consent and knowledge of the person who enters into this vow.  Some may have a tendency to want to enter into a vow in order to impress others, but that type of commitment will rarely be kept in the face of the sacrifices that will be required in such circumstances.  If the conditions of a vow seem harsh or extreme the simple solution is to not enter into that vow.  It is far better to refrain from taking a vow than it is to make a vow and then not keep it.

VOWS ARE MANDITORY: Once a vow is made, it must be kept.  There was a provision made in the vow that it was for a specific period of time.  A person could make the vow for however long they wanted to do so.  However, if they should unintentionally break that vow, they were to shave their head and start over until the vow was fulfilled in its entirety.  An example of this would be that if the person who made the vow had someone die unexpectedly while in their presence.  This tragedy would annul the time already dedicated to the vow and it would need to be fulfilled.  This may seem harsh, but the person making the vow must be aware of this possibility going into it.  Often time vows do not end up being as easy to fulfill as we might have thought.  Marriage would be a prime example of this.  As believers we must be faithful to fulfill our vows.