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Haftarah Naso

“Committed Vows”

Judges 13:2-25

excerpted from TorahScope Haftarah Exhortations

Within Naso (Numbers 4:21-7:89) there are a number of topics described, which to many readers seem to be largely unrelated. First, a census of the three Levitical clans (Gershonites, Merarites, and Kohathites), which were responsible for assembling, dismantling, and transporting the Tabernacle, is conducted—and they were given their specific tasks and assignments.[1] Next, some specific laws for the priests, to maintain purity in the camp of the Israelites, are detailed.[2] This is followed by the law of jealousy, which was to deal with any adultery or suspected adultery among the people of Israel.[3] The instructions regarding what a Nazirite vow was to be, are explicitly delineated.[4] Within Naso is the spiritually and theologically important Aaronic Benediction,[5] and our parashah concludes with a description of the dedication of the Tabernacle and the offerings presented by each of the Twelve Tribes.[6]

With what appears to be a random selection of subjects, the Jewish Sages chose to focus upon the Nazirite vow, by choosing a complementary Haftarah passage from Judges 13. We encounter important aspects of the life of Samson, who could be the most well known Nazirite in the Bible. Do recall how one who made a Nazirite vow, would be separated out to the Almighty for a specific period of time:

“Speak to the children of Israel, and tell them: ‘When either man or woman shall make a special vow, the vow of a Nazirite, to separate himself to the LORD, he shall separate himself from wine and strong drink. He shall drink no vinegar of wine, or vinegar of fermented drink, neither shall he drink any juice of grapes, nor eat fresh grapes or dried. All the days of his separation he shall eat nothing that is made of the grapevine, from the seeds even to the skins. All the days of his vow of separation no razor shall come on his head, until the days are fulfilled in which he separates himself to the LORD. He shall be holy. He shall let the locks of the hair of his head grow long. All the days that he separates himself to the LORD he shall not go near a dead body. He shall not make himself unclean for his father, or for his mother, for his brother, or for his sister, when they die, because his separation to God is on his head. All the days of his separation he is holy to the LORD’” (Numbers 6:2-8, WMB).

In the case of Samson, he was actually chosen to be separated unto the Lord prior to his conception. Unlike the voluntary choosing by a man or woman to make a Nazirite vow, Samson was selected for a special work of deliverance. His barren mother was directed to actually avoid wine, any kind of alcohol, or the unclean before her pregnancy:

“The LORD’s angel appeared to the woman, and said to her, ‘See now, you are barren and childless; but you shall conceive and bear a son. Now therefore please beware and drink no wine nor strong drink, and don’t eat any unclean thing; for, behold, you shall conceive and give birth to a son. No razor shall come on his head, for the child shall be a Nazirite to God from the womb. He shall begin to save Israel out of the hand of the Philistines’” (Judges 13:3-5, WMB).

The contrast, between the voluntary choice of an Israelite man or woman, making a Nazirite vow to the Lord for a specified period of time—and the involuntary choice of another, in this case Samson’s parents—needs to be considered. From the time of conception, Samson effectively had a lifelong vow imposed upon him, which would later be manifested in the great abilities he would possess as a result of his separation.[7] Yet, even though Samson’s parents would have followed the instructions enabling him to be separated as a Nazirite, the account of Samson in Judges demonstrates how he very much retained his own free will, which allowed him to make decisions for himself. Sometimes based on the recorded testimony, the choices Samson made were detrimental.[8] However, despite poor choices which ultimately compromised his strength, he was still used by the Lord to ultimately deliver Israel from the Philistines.[9]

As you consider various aspects seen in Naso describing Ancient Israel’s service toward the Lord, purifying the camp (especially from the sin of adultery) and making vows or commitments to Him—reflecting on what transpired in the life of Samson becomes quite a contrast. Was he not plagued by dallying with women in adulterous situations (Judges 16:1-2)? Did he not succumb to the lure of sweet honey in the carcass of a lion, touching the dead and becoming ritually unclean (Judges 14:8-9)? Did not the lure of Delilah allow him to be compromised with his hair being shorn, reducing his strength (Judges 16:19)?

What was Samson’s problem? Was it the fact that his commitment to his parentally-imposed vows, was not truly a willful choice which he made for himself? You have possibly known of individuals who have a testimony of being “dedicated” to the Lord by their parents, either prior to conception, during pregnancy, or perhaps during their early months of infancy. While the parents’ intentions for the person are honorable, and perhaps even inspired by the Holy Spirit—this does not necessarily mean that the children who are affected by those commitments, are going to absolutely and faithfully adhere to their parents’ desire for upstanding spirituality.

Instead, what is required, is a wholehearted desire from the individual, to take personal responsibility for his or her own life in being dedicated to the Lord. It does not matter if one takes a Nazirite-type vow for a season. What is most important, is that a person is individually convicted of sin and comes to a free will choice in recognizing Yeshua the Messiah as Savior. Any parent or mentor can pronounce a word of blessing over a small child, but such a word can only be realized when a grown child has made his or her own life decisions to follow the Lord. The Scriptures are replete with examples of how serious it is for people who make vows, swear commitments, or take an oath:

“Moses spoke to the heads of the tribes of the children of Israel, saying, ‘This is the thing which the LORD has commanded. When a man vows a vow to the LORD, or swears an oath to bind his soul with a bond, he shall not break his word. He shall do according to all that proceeds out of his mouth’” (Numbers 30:1-2, WMB).
“When you vow a vow to the LORD your God, you shall not be slack to pay it, for the LORD your God will surely require it of you; and it would be sin in you. But if you refrain from making a vow, it shall be no sin in you. You shall observe and do that which has gone out of your lips. Whatever you have vowed to the LORD your God as a free will offering, which you have promised with your mouth, you must do” (Deuteronomy 23:21-23, WMB).
“When you vow a vow to God, don’t defer to pay it; for he has no pleasure in fools. Pay that which you vow. It is better that you should not vow, than that you should vow and not pay. Don’t allow your mouth to lead you into sin. Don’t protest before the messenger that this was a mistake. Why should God be angry at your voice, and destroy the work of your hands? For in the multitude of dreams there are vanities, as well as in many words; but you must fear God” (Ecclesiastes 5:4-7, WMB).
“Again you have heard that it was said to the ancient ones, ‘You shall not make false vows, but shall perform to the Lord your vows’ [Leviticus 19:12], but I tell you, don’t swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is the throne of God; nor by the earth, for it is the footstool of his feet; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King [Isaiah 66:1]. Neither shall you swear by your head, for you can’t make one hair white or black. But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes’ and your ‘No’ be ‘No.’ Whatever is more than these is of the evil one” (Matthew 5:33-37, WMB).

In each of these references, there is a notation about one’s vow or swearing coming forth from the mouth, lips, speech, or voice. We see how when someone makes a vow or swears in the name of the Lord, he or she voluntarily makes a statement which originates from the heart and enters into the world through spoken language. God is very concerned about this practice, and His warnings are to not make a vow unless you really are willing and able to perform it. Yeshua’s reference to Leviticus 19:12 in His Sermon on the Mount is most serious, as one who failed to complete a vow or commitment, would actually have profaned the name of God:

“You shall not swear by my name falsely, and profane the name of your God. I am the LORD” (Leviticus 19:12, WMB).

Yeshua’s admonition was that it would be better to not make a vow or swear, unless one were willing and able to fulfill it. Instead, the Messiah simply instructed to let one’s speech be known by “Yes” and “No.”

This reminds me of a few things which have occurred in my life as a Believer in Yeshua. I can specifically recall a psalm from King David, which admonished a person to honor his word by swearing to his own hurt:

“LORD, who shall dwell in your sanctuary? Who shall live on your holy hill? He who walks blamelessly and does what is right, and speaks truth in his heart; he who doesn’t slander with his tongue, nor does evil to his friend, nor casts slurs against his fellow man; in whose eyes a vile man is despised, but who honors those who fear the LORD; he who keeps an oath even when it hurts, and doesn’t change; he who doesn’t lend out his money for usury, nor take a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things shall never be shaken” (Psalm 15:1-5, WMB).

I believe that if you have made a commitment to someone by your words, you are required by the Scriptures to honor it, regardless of the consequences. Years ago, when our family was guided to sell many of our assets and move as missionaries to Honduras, I told a number of people what our intentions were. Originally, we were going to buy a large tract of land, with the intention of subdividing it and selling off smaller tracts, and others made the decision to also move. When we realized that this venture was taking an unexpected twist and coming to an abbreviated termination, instead of changing my word, I fulfilled my word—despite the cost of the alteration of plans. For some reason or another, the concept of “swearing to your own hurt” resonated in my spirit. I fulfilled the commitments I made, to the best of my ability and in my fear of the Lord.

Additionally, during our years of ministry, we have had a number of people who have told us that they wish to regularly support our efforts with their finances. Sometimes when this occurs, we have seen just the opposite take place, as such individuals may only give our ministry a few offerings. Despite what at the time appears to be a sincere desire to support the Lord’s work, many have been unable to fulfill their commitments. On a few occasions, I have had to call a number of people on the phone, and verbally release them from their broken vows. In my heart, I do not want anyone to be penalized for failing to honor a commitment—so instead I simply forgive and release such people. We do, after all, serve a very merciful God.

Perhaps you can also think of times when you either received a vow or made a vow, which somehow had been altered or changed. Perhaps you might have even taken a Nazirite-type vow, in order to separate yourself from the world, so that you might perform some specific work for the Lord and press into Him. It is perfectly legitimate to make a commitment, to be intensely separated unto Him for a set period of time. However, whether you make such a vow, or any decision you might make, do so with some serious thought and contemplation. So many of the vows or oaths we take are done rashly, without us carefully considering their long-term effects. I know that given some of the decisions I have made in the past—that I am much more careful today with the kinds of commitments I make personally, and most especially on behalf of Outreach Israel. (I also have some trusted persons in Margaret and John, who serve alongside me in ministry, who are quite quick to issue a challenge if they think I have made a poor choice!)

Ultimately, the most important commitment any one of us has ever made, is that sacred confession, “Yeshua is Lord!” (Romans 10:9). At one point in your life, you must have bent your knee and confessed with your tongue that Yeshua is the Redeemer (cf. Philippians 2:10; Isaiah 45:23)! The commitment to be a follower of Messiah is not something your parents, siblings, spouse, or close friend or mentor can do for you. It is a personal vow which provides spiritual regeneration and eternal life. Cherish the moment you welcomed Yeshua into your heart forever!