We now get the vows for a Nazirite. This was a matter of choice, and could be a man or a woman. There was a period of dedication, so it was not a lifelong commitment. There is a list of various prohibitions, but the key point is that they are dedicated completely to the Lord. At the end of the period of dedication various offerings were to be made by the priest. So, no matter how dedicated we are to the Lord, no matter how much we give, we still need the blood of Jesus to cleanse us from sin.
The chapter closes with a blessing that the priests had to declare over the people. It is the function of leaders in the church to be a blessing to the people, and to declare God's blessing over them. We need to remember this.
Chapter 7 lists a whole load of offerings that were brought by the various heads of tribes. These came together with sacrifices. So we see that both need to give gifts to the Lord, and to receive forgiveness.
We can find this concept very difficult. When we are aware of our need for forgiveness we find it difficult to believe that God actually wants to work through us as well. When we are aware of God working in and through our lives we forget that we are still utterly reliant on God's forgiveness and still need this forgiveness on a daily basis.
We can find this concept very difficult. When we are aware of our need for forgiveness we find it difficult to believe that God actually wants to work through us as well. When we are aware of God working in and through our lives we forget that we are still utterly reliant on God's forgiveness and still need this forgiveness on a daily basis.
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