Questions & Comments

Hey all, here are a couple questions from your fellow-readers.

What is a Nazirite?

Numbers 6:1-21 describes a Nazirite as a man or woman who consecrated themselves to God for a set time with a vow. As a part of the vow, they could not drink alcohol, cut their hair, or touch a dead body (even if a family member died). When the time of their consecration ended, they cut their hair, which was used as part of an offering made to God for well-being. Although some chose the Nazirite vow, others were consecrated as Nazirites from birth, like Samson (Judges 13:4-14) and Samuel (1Samuel 1:11). The vow continued to be made up to the time of the New Testament. Although Acts 18:18 and 21:20-26 do not use the word Nazirite, they describe Paul as being under a vow that required him to cut his hair.

What's the deal with Deuteronomy 25:11-12, which reads, "If two men are fighting and the wife of one of them comes to rescue her husband from his assailant, and she reaches out and seizes him by his private parts, you shall cut off her hand. Show her no pity."

This is one of those passages that people point to and say, "why is that in there?" I'm not sure there is a truly satisfying answer to the question, but let me at least offer some context. One, the word for fighting means...fighting. This situation describes one man who is physically fighting with another. This is not a heated disagreement--that would be too easy to explain. Two, the woman appears to be trying to rescue her husband from one that is too strong for him, which seems noble.

More than likely, the issue probably has to do with the importance of of men and women being able to raise up a family, since that is how God said he would bless the nation of Israel. If she were to hit him with a frying pan, stab him with a weapon, or throw dirt in his face, she would not be guilty, but to grab the assailant by his private parts was an offense to the other person, but more importantly prevented the man from raising up a family. Men and women would have both known this was the case. The other factor that should at least merit consideration is that the woman was not alone; she was fighting with her husband. If she were alone she would have few other options.

I realize, as I said, that is not very satisfying, but we must remember that this was written more than three thousand years ago and the original recipients would have understood it very well and not been at all surprised by it. I hope that helps.

Pastor Jared