I am using the daily Bible reading schedule from “The Bible.net” for my daily Bible reading.

Today, I am reading and commenting on Numbers 5-6.

It is at this point where I start looking forward to getting to the end of the Pentateuch.  I really dislike the procedure described for determining if a man’s jealousy about his wife is justified or not.  However, if one truly believes that God will divinely intervene in human affairs, then one can believe that He will intervene to protect an innocent woman unjustly accused by her husband.  Interpreted in light of the later instructions concerning divorce it puts a different light on those instructions: “No, you cannot divorce your wife just because you are convinced she has been unfaithful.  You must have proof.  If you have been unable to catch her being unfaithful, you can follow this procedure.  No, it’s not free.  You need to make an offering along with the request.”  I really don’t think much of a man who puts his wife through such an ordeal.

I have never fully understood the vow of a Nazirite.  What is its purpose?  Moses here describes what one needs to do in order to fulfill such a vow, but makes no mention as to why one would do so.  It appears that Samson’s mother vowed that he would be a lifelong Nazirite before his birth.  The men whom Paul accompanied to the Temple when he was arrested appear to have been completing a vow of a Nazirite.  So, I did a little research and found that most people took the vow of a Nazirite in response to being healed of some great affliction, or in response to receiving something greatly desired (such as the birth of a child).  The example of Samson suggests that some people took the vow of a Nazirite as part of a commitment to God, and a request for His aid, to work towards some godly goal.  As a hockey fan it reminds me of the playoff beards that most (maybe all) hockey players grow.  For those of you who do not follow hockey: NHL players typically stop shaving when their team enters the playoffs and do not shave (and usually do not even trim their beards) until their team has been eliminated.  They do so as a sign of their dedication to winning.  Modern Christians would be well served to have similar traditions to signify our dedication to serving God, or to signify our gratefulness for what He has done for us.