Numbers 6:9-12 – Be assiduous in our journey with God

A Nazirite would attempt to do his best to keep the vow he had made. But what could he do when the vow he had made was broken unintentionally? Here Numbers 6:9-12, present a scenario where someone collapsed before a Nazirite and died unpredictably, what was he to do? He could not possibly just walk away, could he? In this case, he was not at fault because what had happened was not his making. However, he had contacted the unclean and the vow that he had made had been broken and his consecration to the Lord defiled. Note that even this unintentional break was not to be treated lightly. He had to make atonement even though what happened was not deliberate.  

This Nazirite who had inadvertently broken the vow would first have to go through a period of separation. He needed to separate himself from divine services for a duration of seven days. And on the seventh day, he would shave off his hair. Then on the eighth day, he would bring two turtledoves or pigeons to the priest at the entrance of the tent of meeting. One was for sin offering and the other for burnt offering. He also had to make restitution by offering a one-year-old lamb as a guilt offering. Only after the cleansing and shaving off his hair on the seventh day; and the offering of the sin, burnt, and guilt offerings on the eighth day, then could he restart his vow of consecration.

The question is why did God exact such a demand even when what happened was unintentional? The message is clear. Sin is repulsive and the slightest breach is unacceptable to our holy God. Consecrating oneself to God must not be taken lightly and casually. Any breach in our commitment to Him, even when it is unintentional, must be dealt with. To offer oneself to our holy God demands that even the slightest stumble be made right. The requirements God expected of the Nazirite would certainly cause him to be more watchful and attentive to his vow. In the same way, we are expected to be conscientious in our consecration and walk with the Lord. We must assiduously offer to God our unblemished self and service. It is the best that we must give to Him.