by: Mike Johnson
If you are wondering what the purpose of the Nazarite vow was, it is found in the word used eight times in Numbers 6:1-8. The Nazarite vow was a vow of separation, and therein is the purpose for this article – to understand the reasons for, the guidelines for, and specifics of separation.
Separation is and always has been a “hot button” issue. Unfortunately, many preachers and churches in our independent, fundamental Baptist movement have left this doctrine out, redefined it, or marginalized it.
Separation began in Scripture when God separated light from darkness as the first step in creation and it continues as a part of God’s Word until the Revelation where God separates the saved from the lost with the saved in Heaven and the lost in Hell.
Consider the Nazarite vow and how it applies to separation in our day:
1) It was a choice. (Numbers 6:2)
The person who took the Nazarite vow chose “…to separate themselves unto the Lord.” That does not mean that God leaves it up to each Christian whether or not to lead a separated life. God commands us to live a separated life. (2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1; 1 John 2:15-17; Romans 12:1-2; 1 Peter 1:15-16 & 2:5, 9: 2 Peter 3:11; Ephesians 1:4; 5:26; Titus 2:11-12)
The reason we should choose separation is because it pleases God and because of what we gain when we choose to live a separated life. For this California raised hippy boy of the 60’s, when I first heard about separation from the world in which I lived, I thought of what it would cost me. Then a statement made after the call of God in 2 Corinthians 6:17 to “…come out from among them and be ye separate, saith the Lord…” caught my attention. The statement is found in verse 17, “…and I will receive you.” Then it dawned on me – it is not what I lose, but what I gain by separating myself. I gain a closer fellowship with God. Separation is not about my relationship with God. That comes through salvation. However, my fellowship with God is affected by whether or not I am willing to separate myself unto a holy God. Separation is about what I gain, not what I lose.
2) It was a vow. (Numbers 6:2)
The vow of a Nazarite was a covenant promise between the one choosing to be a Nazarite and God. That Nazarite vow usually lasted for a period of time. Sometimes the Nazarite vow was for a lifetime. We know of a few who were Nazarites from their mother’s womb: Samuel, Samson and John the Baptist.
The vow of a Nazarite was a promise made by the Nazarite to live by the guidelines and restrictions expected of them. No matter where they were or where they went, they adjusted their life and choices to honor their vow to God.
Living a separated life for us today calls us to honor God’s Word no matter where we are or where we go. There are no geographical limitations, no limitations of age, era or time. Simply put, I am to honor the principles of God’s Word in the area of separation throughout my entire life, no matter where I am or what I do. If we are true to God’s Word, we change what we are and do to honor God’s Word, not change what the Bible expects of us so we can do what we want. Change your life to live the Bible; do not change the Bible to live your life.
3) It was a distinction.
The Nazarite vow in verses 7-8 speaks of the Nazarite being “consecrated” and “holy” (vs. 8), both are expressions of the result of being separated. Too many think that being separated in my life means to keep my distance from the world and sin. The problem with a distance instead of a distinction is that the world – the ordered system that operates in this life whose god is Satan – is in a constant flux of change. 1 John 2:15-17 tells me to love not the world (vs. 15-16). Then in verse 17 it says, “And the world passeth 
away and the lust thereof…” The world is constantly changing what it believes, accepts, tolerates and does. If the child of God only keeps their distance, then the child of God will be what the world once was. A classic example is the contemporary Christian music of today. In the 1970’s, contemporary Christian music was Evie, Amy Grant (when she started), etc. Today, that same contemporary Christian music has any and every variety of music that is just like what is in the world. Sadly, some independent, fundamental Baptist churches have the music of the contemporary Christian music movement that we saw in the 70’s!
Separation is a distinction, not a distance. Again, 1 John 2:17, “…but he that doeth the will of God abideth forever.” A sound biblical position of separation will cause us to have and live a distinctive life that does not change.
It would be helpful here to define a conviction verses a preference. A conviction is a belief or practice based on God’s Word that never changes. A preference is a belief or practice that may or may not be based on the Bible and can and will change.
What are the areas of separation for us today? Numbers 6:3-8 gave the Nazarite three areas of their vow of separation that transfer well today.
1) Area of Extremes (vs. 3-4)
The Nazarite in these verses was not to drink wine (vs. 3). Notice how he was to avoid drinking wine (vs. 3-4). He would not drink vinegar (vs. 3), and then no “…liquor of grapes…”, basically grape juice, not fermented (vs. 3). Then no raisins (vs. 3) and then he was not to even touch the vine (vs. 4). Nevertheless, the vow of separation was not to drink wine. However, to avoid drinking wine, he was to not drink vinegar, grape juice, eat raisins nor touch the vine. By the way, there was nothing wrong with any of the other products of the grape and its vine. In order to keep the Nazarite from the wrong God wanted him to avoid, he needed to establish what seemed like an extreme boundary between him and the wrong he was to avoid.
Some areas of separation will seem extreme, yet the wise God of Heaven knows if we set our boundaries between us and sin we will have no buffer between wrong and us. Wise is the child of God who keeps a distinction between themselves and the sin and carnality of this world that provides a boundary of safety.
As a pastor, I would love to hear someone ask me, “What’s right about …?” For 35 years it has been, “What’s wrong with …?” We want to know how close to wrong we can be and still be right. Biblical separation sets some safe though at times seemingly extreme boundaries between us and sin.
2) The Area of Externals (vs. 5)
The Nazarite was not to cut their hair. Both men and women took the Nazarite vow. However, for a man in the Hebrew culture to have long hair was a very clear distinctive that indicated they had taken a Nazarite vow. The point was that the external look of the Nazarite indicated they had separated themselves unto God.
For the child of God today, how we look and appear has two guidelines in Scripture: Masculine/feminine and modesty.
God made men and women differently. “Male and female created he them…” Genesis 1:27. Those lines of distinction in our creation are to be kept as God intended them. Deuteronomy 22:5 is very clear that we are not to wear each other’s garments. Though the garments are not specifically mentioned, the principle of distinction applies. Look at Deuteronomy 22:5, consider the second half of 
the verse first, and answer for yourself what garment that a woman wears should a man not wear? Why does the bathroom door at the airport have it figured out and we do not? Yet, a million males in America wear a dress every day. If your pastor came to the pulpit in a dress, wouldn’t you think he had lost it? Then why is the first part of Deuteronomy 22:5 as it applies to women such a problem concerning a woman wearing pants? Let me give you the excuses I have heard concerning Deuteronomy 22:5 and applying it today. “It is Old Testament.” Yes, and it is the only chapter in the Bible condemning the rape of a woman. God did not write a Bible with Old and New Testaments. Man put those divisions there for the sake of better understanding the divisions of biblical eras.
“Both men and women wore robes at one time.” Yes, but they were distinctive in their length. Men wore shorter robes with britches to the knee under them and women longer ones with adornment of head coverings, jewelry, etc.
“I can’t do what I do and be modest in a dress.” Then either change what you do or change the Bible.
If you need New Testament for your help, consider 1 Timothy 2:9. The key is not so much the call for a woman to adorn herself in something modest, but it is in the word “apparel.” The word “apparel” is kata stole. A long or let down dress that is of modest length and covering is what is called for.
God intended that a man look like a man from all angles and appearances and a woman to be and do the same.
A man’s hair should be distinctive of a man. 1 Corinthians 11:14 tells us that is it a shame for a man to have long hair. How long is long? The key is in the statement “…doth not even nature itself teach you…” The natural way is that God has given every man a natural hairline. The hair length should not exceed the natural hairline. I believe that is in either direction. Do not get a haircut that looks like you were attacked by a weed whacker either! If God moves your hairline, go with what He gives you.
The second area of external distinctive for us today is the area of modesty.
It is possible to wear modest clothing that is of proper length and style. That is for both men and women.
The guideline for modesty is form and flesh.
If the clothing is so tight or form fitting that it reveals the body, then it is not modest. If the clothing reveals the private areas of the bosoms, thighs, etc., then it is not modest. Isaiah 47:1-3 says if we uncover the thigh, we are exposing our nakedness. Men and women need to be concerned with their external distinctive.
3) The Area of Entanglements (vs. 6-8)
The Nazarite was not to come near a dead body even if it were his own family while he was under the Nazarite vow.
The analogy here for our modern day understanding is concerning separation to not become yoked together with those who, according to Ephesians 2:1, are dead in trespasses and sins. Simply put, we are to keep ourselves separated from the influence of the unsaved. Of course, we love them, witness to them, and are kind and friendly to them. However, we do not create relationships whereby we do what they do and live as they live.
We need to have a separation distinctive in this area whereby we do not partake of the attitude of the lost, the approach to life of the lost, the actions of the lost or the affiliations with the lost as in friendships, business, partnerships, etc.
We are to be as Jesus said in His Lord’s prayer in John 17 – in this world, but not of it. We can be friendly with the unsaved and loving and kind, but we cannot become what they are.
Some believe that is how you reach the world – be like them, look like them, act like them, etc. That makes as much sense as breaking off a branch and jumping into quicksand to save someone.
The Nazarite vow is not for our day today, but a vow of separation certainly is and should be. The real question is not how far should I go, the real question is how close do I want to get to God? Is anything, anyone, any matter more important to me than my fellowship with God?
Mike Johnson
Pastor
Shasta Baptist Church
Redding, CA