Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
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Numbers
Book: Numbers
Chapter: 6
Overview:
The
Law concerning the Nazarites.
(1-21) The form of blessing
the people.
(22-27)
1-21 The
Word Nazarite signifies separation. Some were
appointed of
God, before their
Birth, to be Nazarites all their
days, as
Samson and
John the Baptist. But, in general, it was a
vow of separation from the world and devotedness to the services
of religion, for a limited time, and under certain rules, which
any person might make if they pleased. A
Nazarite is spoken of
as
Well known; but his obligation is brought to a greater
certainty than before. That the fancies of superstitious men
might not multiply the restraints endlessly,
God gives them
rules. They must not
Drink Wine or
Strong Drink, nor eat grapes.
Those who separate themselves to
God, must not gratify the
desires of the body, but keep it under. Let all Christians be
very moderate in the use of
Wine and
Strong Drink; for if the
Love of these once gets the mastery of a
Man, he becomes an easy
prey to
Satan. The Nazarites were to eat nothing that came of
the
Vine; this may teach the utmost care to avoid
Sin, and all
that borders upon it, and leads to it, or may be a
Temptation to
us. They must not cut their
Hair. They must neither poll their
heads, nor shave their beards; this was the
Mark of
Samson being
a
Nazarite. This signified neglect of the body, and of the ease
and ornament of it. Those who separate themselves to
God, must
keep their consciences pure from dead
Works, and not touch
unclean things. All the days of their separation they must be
holy to the
Lord. This was the meaning of those outward
observances, and without this they were of
No account.
No
penalty or
Sacrifice was appointed for those who wilfully broke
their vow of being Nazarites; they must answer another
Day for
such profane trifling with the
Lord their
God; but those were to
be relieved who did not
Sin wilfully. There is nothing in
Scripture that bears the least resemblance to the religious
orders of the
Church of
Rome, except these Nazarites. But
Mark
the difference, or rather how completely opposed! The religious
of that
Church are forbidden to marry; but
No such restriction
is laid upon the Nazarites. They are commanded to abstain from
meats; but the Nazarites might eat any
Food allowed other
Israelites. They are not generally forbidden
Wine, not even
On
their fasting days; but the Nazarites might not have
Wine at any
time. Their vow is lasting, even to the
End of their lives; the
Nazarites' vow was only for a limited time, at their own will;
and in certain cases not unless allowed
By husbands or parents.
Such a thorough difference there is between rules of
Man's
invention and those directed in
Scripture. Let us not forget
that the
Lord Jesus is not only our
Surety, but also our
Example. For his sake we must renounce worldly pleasures,
abstain from fleshy lusts, be separate from sinners, make open
profession of our
Faith, moderate natural affections, be
spiritually-minded, and devoted to
God's service, and desirous
to be an
Example all around us.
22-27 The priests were solemnly to
Bless the people in the name
of the
Lord. To be under the almighty protection of
God our
Saviour; to enjoy his favour as the smile of a loving
Father, or
as the cheering beams of the
Sun; while he mercifully forgives
our sins, supplies our wants, consoles the
Heart, and prepares
us
By his
Grace for eternal
Glory; these things form the
substance of this blessing, and the sum total of all blessings.
In
So rich a list of mercies worldly joys are not worthy to be
mentioned. Here is a form of
Prayer. The name
Jehovah is three
times repeated. The Jews think there is some
Mystery; and we
know what it is, the New
Testament having explained it. There we
are directed to expect the blessing from the
Grace of our
Lord
Jesus Christ, the
Love of the
Father, and the
Communion of the
Holy Ghost, 2Co 13:14; each of which Persons is
Jehovah, and
yet they are not three Lords, but one
Lord.