Numbers 6:7

In our chapter we find the interesting statement: "The consecration of his God is upon his head." Here the different lines of thought come together and the connection becomes clear. Because the Nazarite separated himself to God and consecrated himself to Him, he let his hair grow. In God's sight that hair became a sign of his consecration — a crown. This is all the more remarkable, since long hair by itself would have been a dishonour for a male Nazarite (1 Cor. 11:14).

Once the consecration of God rested on a person's head, that great and important fact became the standard and test of all morality. It placed him on wholly new and unusual ground. He now had to look at everything from a new point of view. He was no longer to ask what was fitting for a man, but what was fitting for a Nazarite. So if his dearest friend lay dead beside him, he was not to touch him.

The third thing has to do with what belongs to man since the fall and is part of his very being: sin, proved by its consequence, death. This was what the Nazarite had to avoid at all cost. He must not weigh even the strongest ties, those of the family, when it was a question of setting himself apart for the service of God. How little we understand this! Many Christians say: "Let me first go and bury my father." Others say: "I cannot, my relatives would not allow it." Such are not Nazarites.

The ties of nature are right enough, and truly of God in their proper place. But if they are not kept in their place, they are sure to hinder true devotedness… Was ever a son's love so tender as the love that glowed in the heart of the Man Christ Jesus? Was ever obedience to parents so perfect as His? Yet when service made its claims, and the integrity of true Nazariteship had to be held, He could say, "Woman, what does this have to do with me?" And again, "Who is my mother?" Only the true and perfect Servant knew how to adjust conflicting claims and keep each in its place.

Christ made Himself a Nazarite. He did not take His place as a man, or His rights as Son of man. For the glory of God He made Himself completely subject, and He submitted to all that that glory required. He identified Himself with the godly few among the sinful people whom He had loved, and became a stranger to His mother's children… He separated Himself from all the links of human life to devote Himself to the glory and service of God, and to obedience to Him.

Anything that brings us into contact with sin has its effect on our Nazariteship. We lose the power that comes with communion with God, and the special presence of the Spirit with us — however much of that power God had given us. Sadly, we lose the time that went before too; we must begin again. It is great grace that God does not take away all privilege of serving Him… let us always remember that we are under grace.

Christianity has two great links. They are closely connected, but they are quite distinct: the link of eternal life, and the link of personal communion. Nothing can ever break the first. The weight of a feather can break the second in a moment.