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By Jimmy Swaggart
(NUM. 6:2) “SPEAK UNTO THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL AND SAY UNTO THEM, WHEN EITHER MAN OR WOMAN SHALL SEPARATE THEMSELVES TO VOW A VOW OF A NAZARITE, TO SEPARATE THEMSELVES UNTO THE LORD.
The structure is:
1. Numbers, Chapter 6 portrays the voluntary Nazarite vows.
2. Nearly always the term “Nazarite” is thought of as referring to men, but according to this, a woman could also take the Nazarite vow and separate herself unto God and His Service (Num. 6:2).
3. From the Nazarite idea came the Rachabites, the Essenes, Anchorites, Hermits, Monks, and other monastic orders. To say that Christ was a Nazarite is unscriptural, for He drank of the fruit of the vine and touched the dead, which Nazarites were forbidden to do (Mat. 9:25; 11:19; 26:29; Mk. 14:25).
4. But yet we know that Jesus had a consecration that was more complete and genuine than that of a Nazarite, because He was sanctified when He was sent into the world (Jn. 10:36), and depended on the Holy Spirit’s Anointing to distinguish Him as separated unto God, rather than the outward show of abstinence from certain things.
THE NAZARITE VOW
If a man or a woman desired to separate themselves unto the Lord, in other words, to take the “Nazarite vow,” they were to do three things:
1. They must not touch any type of alcoholic beverage, or even anything that pertained to a vineyard, such as grapes or grape juice.
2. They were not to cut or trim their hair in any capacity.
3. They must not touch a dead body, even though it be that of a loved one.
The “Nazarite vow” could be for a specific period of time, or it could be for life, as it was with Samson, Samuel, and John the Baptist. However, the consecration of the three mentioned appears to have been made rather as the result of Divine Revelation than of arbitrary appointment on the part of their parents (Ellicott). The word “Nazarite” means “to separate oneself unto Jehovah.”
SEPARATION
While the life of the Nazarite was one of separation, it was not to be one of isolation. In fact, their life was to be one of action, one of uninterrupted devotion to the Divine Service. The Lord has placed us in this world as “salt” and “light.” As such, we can be neither if we resort to isolation. However, it must also be said that at times, the Lord may definitely want a short period of isolation, when we can be spiritually renewed, and more able for the task.
THE PURPOSE OF THE NAZARITE
The purpose was consecration, which demanded separation. As there are Christians now who feel a longing to draw closer to the Lord, there were Israelites in those days with the same desire.
As such, they would be an example to others, would portray the fruit of a Godly life and, as well, would in some way push the entirety of the Nation of Israel a little closer to God. One person totally consecrated to the Lord makes up for many who aren’t. That doesn’t mean that one can be consecrated in the stead of another, but it does mean that such a consecrated person blesses many. We have an example of this in the wicked cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. If only ten righteous could be found, the Lord told Abraham that He would spare the cities (Gen. 18:20, 23-24, 32). Once again, we remind the Reader that Jesus said Believers are “the salt of the Earth,” and “the Light of the world” (Mat. 5:13-14).
THE MEANING OF THE DEMANDS
Intoxicating beverage, and in whatever form, presents a false picture of everything. The weak think they are strong; the sick think they are well; the morose think they are funny; the old think they are young; the ugly think they are attractive, etc. As stated, the thrust of alcohol in any form transforms the truth into a lie.
As well, it presents a false joy, symbolic of the world, and one of Satan’s greatest tools. Paul addressed this when he said: “And be not drunk with wine (speaks of being controlled by alcoholic beverage, which Paul desires to use as an example), wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit (being controlled by the Spirit constantly, moment by moment)” (Eph. 5:18). The Spirit of the Lord can provide, will provide and, in fact, longs to provide everything that we need, and in abundance, which He does through what Christ did at the Cross. The true Child of God doesn’t need alcoholic spirits, which gives a false sense of security, but rather needs the “Spirit.” Nehemiah said, “The Joy of the LORD is your strength” (Neh. 8:10). If it is to be noticed, this is the “Joy of the LORD” and not our joy. All of this comes through the Holy Spirit.
The world, which doesn’t know God, has to depend on other things in order to face life. That’s the reason there are approximately 20 million alcoholics in the United States, and nearly that many problem drinkers (I really don’t know the difference between an alcoholic and a problem drinker). As well, there are about 25 million drug addicts, about 18 million which are on prescription drugs, and about seven million on street drugs.
So the world provides a false courage, as well as a false joy, i.e., “the comedians,” etc.
The Child of God should need none of this, deriving all strength, courage, power, life, and living, plus the joy of more abundant life, from the Lord Jesus Christ, and more appropriately, what He has done for us at the Cross. The Holy Spirit, Who is the bearer of all the benefits of the Cross, functions within that latitude completely. And as we’ve already stated any number of times, the Spirit demands that our Faith be anchored exclusively within Christ and His Sacrifice (Rom. 8:1-2, 11).
HAVE YOU TRIED THE CROSS?
I’ll turn this question around, and voice the remarks made by some, “I’ve tried the Cross, and it doesn’t work!” Making statements like that is like saying, “I have tried breathing, and it doesn’t work.” The truth is, what Jesus did at the Cross, and the benefits thereby derived, comprise the only Salvation, the only life, the only living; there is no other.
As well, one doesn’t “try the Cross.” Such statements automatically constitute the individual as a “double-minded person.” And James said of such a person, “Let him ask in Faith (some accuse James of denigrating Faith; however, he actually does the very opposite, making Faith a criteria for all things), nothing wavering (nothing doubting). For he who wavers is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. (He who continuously veers from one course to another only reveals his own instability and lack of a sense of being under Divine control.) “For let not that man think that he shall receive anything of the Lord. (This points to a particular type of individual, one who has a ‘doubting heart.’) “A double minded man is unstable in all his ways. (One cannot place one’s Faith in the Cross and something else at the same time. Such produces instability, a type of Faith that will never be honored by the Lord.)” (James 1:6-8).
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE BELIEVER BEGINS TO TAKE UP HIS CROSS AND FOLLOW CHRIST?
The first thing that will happen, Satan will begin to do everything within his power to discourage and to hinder. Despite that, the Believer will immediately begin to see an improvement in his life; however, he must understand that the ways of the world and, above all, the complexities of “self,” are so ingrained in the Believer, and I’m speaking of the one who has not been following Christ as it regards the Cross, that it could possibly take some time before the Holy Spirit is able to rid us of all the things which we need to discard. To be sure, it doesn’t take the Holy Spirit long to do anything. He is God! However, we are but flesh, and it takes us much longer, even with the help of the Spirit.
The average Believer doesn’t realize how deeply ingrained are wrong directions and wrong ways within his life. In fact, he cannot know such, until he begins to properly place his Faith in Christ and what Christ has done at the Cross. Only then can he begin to know Who Christ actually is and, in fact, what self actually is.
FALSE DOCTRINE
The modern Church has been so imbued with false doctrine the last several decades, and especially the Word of Faith message, that anymore it hardly knows what the Word of God actually says or actually is. Most have been taught that all they have to do is confess the right thing, quote a few Scriptures, and repeat them over and over, and then mighty and wonderful things instantly begin to happen. The truth is, under that doctrine, no wonderful things happen of any nature. And the truth also is, when one begins to believe Christ and what He did at the Cross, this doesn’t mean that everything is going to be perfect, or that Satan will stop attacking. In fact, and I think I can say the following without any fear of exaggeration or contradiction, it’s almost certain that such a Christian is going to stumble a few times; however, it is quite a different thing to stumble while one is going toward victory, rather than the other way. But the following I guarantee, and simply because the Word of God guarantees it:
VICTORY!
Paul said, “For sin shall not have dominion over you (the sin nature will not have dominion over us if we as Believers continue to exercise Faith in the Cross of Christ; otherwise, the sin nature most definitely will have dominion over the Believer): for you are not under the Law (means that if we try to live this life by any type of law, no matter how good that law might be in its own right, we will conclude by the sin nature having dominion over us), but under Grace (the Grace of God flows to the Believer on an unending basis only as long as the Believer exercises Faith in Christ and what He did at the Cross; Grace is merely the Goodness of God exercised by and through the Holy Spirit, and given to undeserving Saints)” (Rom. 6:14). Emphatically, and even dogmatically, the Holy Spirit through the Apostle tells us, if we continue to place our Faith in Christ and the Cross, refusing to allow our Faith to be moved to other things, the day will come that whatever sin was dominating us, no longer will. We have the Promise of the Holy Spirit on that. To be sure, it will be sooner for some than others, but it is certain for all, if they do not allow their Faith to flag.
THE DOMINION OF SIN
It is a sad thing, but the far, far greater majority of the modern Church struggles under the dominion of sin in some way, in some fashion. In other words, some certain type of sin is dominating the Believer. This is sad and tragic, but true! For such to happen, such is a travesty against the Grace of God. In other words, it’s not supposed to be this way.
But to compound this tragedy, the far greater majority of Christians, who are being dominated by sin in some way, are loath to admit it. They have been taught that if they confess victory, they will ultimately have victory. So the embarrassment, coupled with false doctrine, boxes them into a corner, from which there is no escape. In fact, the problem will steadily get worse, while they are all the time confessing the opposite. But let all remember, when Jesus asked Bartimaeus, “What will you that I should do unto you?” Bartimaeus answered, “Lord, that I might receive my sight” (Mk. 10:51).
If Bartimaeus had heard some of this modern doctrine, he would have answered, “Lord, everything is just wonderful,” and would have remained blind the rest of his life.
To claim that everything is wonderful, when everything isn’t wonderful, is not a good confession, as many have been taught. It is rather a lie! There are millions of Christians who are struggling with “works of the flesh,” and to be sure, one must understand that Satan plays for keeps.
(The above article was derived from the Jimmy Swaggart Bible Commentary, “Numbers And Deuteronomy”, Numbers, Chapter 6.)
this article motivates me to appreciate the simple fact that i have not died physically yet. it gives me a soul pounding reminder of the one and only true goodness of GOD and HIS love for mankind. It is ironic that GOD orchestrated the plan of salvation to be so extrodinaraly simple, yet we all seem to manage a way to make it the most complicatingly difficult thing we face. believing that if i truley turn my ENTIRE agenda over to trusting the HOLY SPIRIT, HE will be all that JESUS promises HIM to be. Whats sad is all the pain that i have caused to others because of my lazy lack of faith in GODS ultimate promise and although i grew more mature spiritually through the years i have never surrenderd EVERY-THING. that is the reason i face the turmoil and dysfunction in my life today. the condition of my wellbeing began at the age of around 1 year old. my parenys devorced thrusting me into the arms of my paternal grandparents who were willing to help with me after all i was their first grandchild. they were good people with sound judjement and elite morals. their love for me fueled my inability to face my problems and to be proud of who i am. i have always ignored the truth and pretended things were better or worse than they really were. i was allowed to run from my mistakes and really never honestly talked to anyone about anything...So after twenty seven years of believing GODs simple plan, manipulating it to do what was more convienient to suit "my" plans i can only overcome my problems (they are piled high) by trusting that THE HOLY SPIRIT
is capable of sustaining my insecurites, my lack of self worth, my addiction to tv, alcohal, Prescription med, my sexual disfunction, and the never ending side effects they all cause! i NEED your prayers. i asked GOD to lead me in a direction to find help. Jimmy Swaggert GOD spoke to me through you when i was fourteen at about two or three o-clock in the morning in my mother and step fathers living room in houston texas. that night i was "called" by GOD and i accepted the gift of salvation however i have failed to trust in HIM for ALL my needs and wants. my life is what lucifer was glamorizing to HIM in the desert...pain missery and grief, the rusults of taking the beaten path of lazyness instead of taking the HIGHROAD to GODS THROWN through the glorified blood of our savior and captian...JESUS THE ONE TRUE CHRIST!
thank you jimmy for obeying GOD and letting HIM lead you to lead me to HIMSELF! in two thousand and two i was overcome by a being who manafested itself in the clouds during a moon lit sky while i was adamently seeking GOD in prayer and in THEWORD. the being looked right at me in the eyes for about three long seconds before i became incapable of looking and fell in a weak almost crippling state. i have never told that to anyone before now. i believe that i was called by GOD that night but it is overwhelming and has somewhat inhibated me because of the magnatude of it and the fact that you all will probably think i am twisted tighter than our planets core. i just feel obligated to share it because it did happen. GOD BLESS YOU ALL!
Truley: Ronald Dean Taylor iamironi@yahoo.com