numbers 5 and 6

Read Numbers 5 and 6 at Bible Gateway.

The Hebrew paragraph divisions for today’s chapters are:

Num 5:1-4 {p} Put out of the camp the unclean and defiled
Num 5:5-10 {p} Making restitution when the LORD has been trespassed against
Num 5:11-31 {p} The law of a jealous husband and an unfaithful wife
Num 6:1-21 {p} The law of the Nazirite
Num 6:22-23 {s} Aaron and his sons to bless the children of Israel
Num 6:24 {s} YHVH bless you and keep you
Num 6:25 {s} YHVH make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you
Num 6:26 {s} YHVH lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace
Num 6:27 {s} The priests put YHVH’s name upon Israel and He will bless them.

The subject matter of today’s reading is oddly placed – right in the middle of the consecration and dedication of the tabernacle, the priesthood, and the Levites (as we will see as we continue in Numbers). It is that oddity that makes it stand out to me – these are not just some more random commandments, but these particular commandments are here in the narrative of consecration and dedication on purpose.

The reason the lepers and such are to be put out of the camp, is that Israel may not defile their camp in the midst of which YHVH dwells (Num 5:3). The instruction concerning restitution is given in the context of committing sin in unfaithfulness against YHVH (Num 5:6). The law of the jealous husband likewise is about a wife who behaves unfaithfully toward her husband (Num 5:12) and so defiles herself (Num 5:13). Are we beginning to see a pattern (which is a teaching tool of Scripture)?

Now, the law of the Nazirite: a Nazirite is someone who makes a vow to the LORD, that he shall be holy to the LORD for a certain period of time (I am sure someone will correct me if I am wrong about that). He dedicates himself to the LORD for a number of days. This is a voluntary and not a mandatory vow – it is something someone does who feels devotion and love for the LORD, and is trying to find a way to express it.

So, first, he separates himself to the LORD, and separates himself from wine or similar intoxicating drink (Num 6:2-3). Hmmmm … we have seen this before:

Then the LORD spoke to Aaron, saying: “Do not drink wine or intoxicating drink, you, nor your sons with you, when you go into the tabernacle of meeting, lest you die.” Lev 10:8-11

In other words, a Nazirite is someone, not of the family of Aaron, who wishes they too can be in the LORD’s presence as the Levites and priests can. They can take the vow of a Nazirite, and dedicate themselves to the LORD, and separate themselves to the LORD just as Aaron and just as the Levites are separated to the LORD, and they shall be separate for the days of their vow. The LORD receives it as an act of worship, consecration to Him, just as Aaron and just as the Levites are consecrated to him.

That is why this is here in the middle of the narrative of dedication and consecration of the tabernacle and the Levites. But why chapter 5? Chapter 5 is teaching us, that just as uncleanness defiles the camp where the LORD dwells, so sin defiles the camp where the LORD dwells. Confession must be made of sin, which is unfaithfulness to YHVH, and restitution must be made for sin. When Israel sins (as the unfaithful wife sins) and does not make confession (as the unfaithful wife has kept her unfaithfulness a secret) then Israel’s husband, YHVH, becomes jealous over His people, because their hearts are not fully His! Wives are to separate themselves only to their husbands, as Israel is to separate herself and keep the devotions of her heart only to YHVH!

Does YHVH fully have our hearts? The law of the jealous husband is at the heart of the narrative concerning separation, consecration, and dedication of the LORD’s holy things to Himself! ♥