In our discussion of Nazariteship in other articles in this issue, we have seen how the Nazarite character can be unbalanced, with one characteristic standing out boldly, while the others are not mentioned. We will also see how one like Samson could fail in his Nazariteship, although preserved by God’s grace through many deviations in which he was involved along the way. We have seen how John the Baptist maintained his Nazarite character in spite of temptations, and was highly spoken of by our Lord Himself. However, we have also mentioned several times that there was only One who perfectly exemplified the Nazarite vow, and maintained it in perfect balance right to the end of His pathway down here. More than that, He continues that Nazarite character up there in heaven, as a risen and glorified Man at the Father’s right hand. Let us look at the three characteristics of the true Nazarite, and consider how they were displayed in the life of our blessed Lord Jesus.
A Moral Nazarite
Before we begin, however, it is important to recognize that our Lord’s Nazariteship was completely moral, and not physical, as given to Israel in Numbers 6. In this He is the perfect example for us, for in this dispensation of God’s grace we are not called upon to display the literal and physical characteristics of the Nazarite. Rather, those physical attributes of the Old Testament Nazarite are meant to be types to us of the moral and spiritual qualities that should be displayed in our lives today.
The first trait that was to be part of the vow of a Nazarite was to separate himself from “wine and strong drink.” More than this, he was not even to eat grapes, whether moist or dried, nor anything made of the vine tree. It has been pointed out elsewhere in this issue that wine speaks of earthly joy — the natural joys of which nature can partake. However, now that sin has entered this world, all of those natural joys have been touched by death. Because of this, our Lord stood apart from it all. His entire life was devoted to doing His Father’s will, and all else was subservient to this. However, we must point out that our Lord was also perfectly balanced in His separation from evil. He did not avoid social intercourse, as did John the Baptist, but willingly mixed with the crowds, and accepted invitations to eat meals in various homes. (We might remark, in this connection, that there is no record that our Lord ever graced the table of a Sadducee, for they taught bad doctrine, and denied the resurrection. However, the Lord went to the houses of Pharisees a number of times. This is an example of His perfect separation, and yet perfect accessibility.) The Lord Jesus did not become a recluse in order to maintain a holy separation, but mixed with sinners, while being completely separate from earthly joy. He will not taste of that joy until a coming day, when He drinks it new with us in His Father’s kingdom (Matt. 26:29).
Wine the Earthly Joy
For this reason He did not refuse to drink wine, and even supplied it by His divine power at the marriage in Cana of Galilee. In order to criticize Him, the Jewish leaders called Him “a gluttonous man, and a winebibber” (Luke 7:34). However, there was always that clear and definite moral separation from true earthly joy, but combined with the utmost display of love and grace to sinners. Repentant publicans and sinners felt at home in His company, when those same people were despised by the Jewish leaders. Another has expressed it well —
“The priests must on no account depart from their consecration; therefore they must be Nazarites ... There are lawful things — real joys, which, however, do not belong to priesthood — joys which flow from God’s blessings, and which do not keep the flesh in check as does His presence; for there is always a certain restraint on the heart, on nature and its activity, produced by the presence of God” (J. N. Darby, Synopsis, Vol. 1, pg. 148).
The Moral Significance of Long Hair
The second characteristic of the Old Testament Nazarite was that he was to allow his hair to grow. This would speak of giving up one’s dignity, rights, and respect as a man. Surely our Lord Jesus did this in a real way, as we read in Philippians 2:5-8. His humiliation as Man was complete, for as we read in Isaiah 53:2 JnD, “He hath no form nor lordliness, and when we see Him, there is no beauty that we should desire Him.” Even in His physical appearance, there was nothing to distinguish the Lord Jesus from other men. Many man-made pictures of our Lord depict Him as having long hair, but there is no scripture to support this. In fact, it is noteworthy that in the Word of God, nothing whatever is said about the physical appearance of the Lord Jesus, the disciples, or any others who were prominent in the early church. The only descriptions given are moral.
Our Lord always took the low place, refusing to answer insults thrown at Him, but again, with a perfect balance. If He answered those who attacked Him, He did not defend Himself, but rather spoke so as to reach their consciences. In this He was once again the perfect example for us, as to how we ought to answer any objectors in this world.
Touch No Dead Body
The final quality of the true Old Testament Nazarite was that he was to “come at no dead body.” Even within his own immediate family he was not to defile himself in this way. This brings before us (in type) total separation from evil, and any sinful defilement. However, as we well know, the Lord Jesus could, and did, touch dead bodies many times, not in order to bury them, but to give them life. He who was the Giver of life, and whose work on Calvary’s cross would annul death, was not defiled by the dead. Rather, His touch gave them back the life that sin had taken away. All of this clearly marked Him out as the Messiah.
However, in the moral sense of avoiding any dead body, our blessed Lord was completely free of any connection with evil. He could visit with the woman at Sychar’s well, expose her sin, and attract her to Him, yet without sin. He could drive the animals and moneychangers out of the temple in righteous anger, yet never allow that righteous anger to degenerate into sin. He could ignore personal insults, yet in faithfulness answer those remarks that reflected on God’s glory. He could be “a friend of publicans and sinners,” yet never condone their sinful ways. In every way He lived and moved among those who were “dead in trespasses and sins,” and showed His love to them. Yet He never was affected by their sinful ways, and His only desire was to show them the way of life.
As Nazarites ourselves, we are called to imitate the blessed pathway of our Lord and Master, while realizing how far short we fall of that perfection that He exhibited. However, He has surely left us an example, that we “should follow His steps” (1 Peter 2:21).
W. J. Prost