Nazarites

Nazarites.

This is different than just someone from Nazarith. I’m also not talking about someone taking a Nazarene Vow. That was started with them. I’m talking about something started with God, before the child was even born; usually before he was even conceived.

This topic has been of interest to me for some time, because for many years I suffered from infertility. So I’d study the Bible and find solace in woman like myself whose wombs remained empty. During that time I came across an interesting concept, one that was repeated twice. The long infertile woman was told that they were going to have a baby. Yeh! But more importantly that child would be set aside for God. They could not drink any fermented beverages the entire duration of their pregnancy.

I’m sure they thought: No problem, as long as I get to hold a baby of my own.

The two babies I’m referring to grew up to be Samson, and John the Baptist. While the Bible doesn’t mention the abstaining from alcohol part in regards to Elijah, there are enough similarities between him and the other two that he is often considered a Nazarite, as well. The long hair that was never cut, the wandering in the wilderness, wearing camel’s hair. And the fact that there was a Jezebel. Where ever there is a Nazarite, there is a Jezebel. Samson had his Delilah, John the Baptist his Herodias, And Elijah his Jezebel. Next week I will focus on that topic.