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Numbers Chapter Six

1. Specific instructions for the Nazirite vow are spelled out (Num. 6:1-21).
   1. This is a follow up to the previous teaching on “difficult vows” (Lev. 27).
   2. The vow of a Nazirite.   נָזִיר nāziyr ^#5139: consecrated one, devoted one.
   3. To dedicate Himself to the Lord.  נָזַר nāzar ^#5144: to dedicate, consecrate, separate.
2. Under normal circumstances, the Nazirite vow was for a finite period of time (Num. 6:4,5,6,8,13).
   1. If the Nazirite was defiled during his time of separation, he was to go through the cleansing procedure, and restart his period of separation (Num. 6:9-12).
   2. Samson was a lifelong Nazirite from birth (Jdg. 13:2-5), as was John the Baptist (Lk. 1:15; 7:33).
   3. The Lord Jesus Christ was a Nazarene (from the village of Nazareth) (Matt. 2:23), and not a Nazirite.
3. The Nazirite’s dedication to the Lord entailed a voluntary abstention from otherwise normal human activity (Num. 6:3-7).
   1. Abstinence from alcohol (Num. 6:3,4).
   2. Abstinence from all hair cutting, beard trimming, etc. (Num. 6:5).
   3. Total separation from all dead things (Num. 6:6,7).
4. Upon completion of the Nazirite vow time period, special offerings are brought to the Lord (Num. 6:13-21).
5. The Lord provided a ritual benediction for the Aaronic priesthood to bless the people with (Num. 6:22-27).
   1. The Lord bless you and keep you.
   2. The Lord make His face shine on you, and be gracious to you.
   3. The Lord lift up His countenance on you, and give you peace.
   4. No such formula for benediction is to be found in the New Testament for Church Age believers.

Numbers Chapter Ten

1. The Lord instructed Israel to manufacture two silver trumpets (Num. 10:1-10).
   1. A single trumpet blast was a summons for the tribal elders to assemble (vv.4,7).
   2. A double trumpet blast was an alarm for war, and order to break camp (v.3).
   3. Successive blasts of the alarm signaled the individual stages of march (vv.5,6).
   4. The trumpet blast was a responsibility of Aaron and his sons (v.8).
   5. The trumpet blast was a call for the Lord of Hosts to fight on their behalf (v.9).
   6. Single trumpet blasts were also mandated for:
      1. the appointed feasts (Lev. 23), including the new moon feasts.
      2. in conjunction with the burnt offerings and peace offerings of those feasts (Num. 10:9). 
      3. The 7th month had an extraordinary degree of trumpet blasting—the Feast of Trumpets (Lev. 23:23-25).
2. After all the time of preparation, the nation of Israel set out from Sinai.
   1. Their redemption out of Egypt was accomplished in great haste, with almost no preparation whatsoever—allowing God to do all the work.
   2. The departure from Sinai was accomplished in great deliberateness, with extensive preparation—working as God’s fellow workers.
3. Israel set forth on the 20th day of the 2nd month of the 2nd year of the Exodus (Num. 10:11ff.).
   1. The cloud was lifted up (Num. 10:11).
      1. The Lord my Banner, יְהוָה נִסִּי YHWH Nissiy (Ex. 17:15), sets forth.
      2. The command is to “follow the colors.”
   2. Judah Brigade (The East Martial Brigade) spearheaded the march (Num. 10:14-16).
      1. Judah had one command battalion and two support battalions.
      2. Three Issachar battalions & three Zebulun battalions were in support.
   3. Gershon Company and Merari Company went forth (Num. 10:17).
   4. Reuben Brigade (The South Martial Brigade) went forth (Num. 10:18-20).
      1. Reuben had one command battalion and one support battalion.
      2. Three Simeon battalions & two Gad battalions were in support.
   5. Kohath Company went forth, bearing the holy objects (Num. 10:21).
   6. Ephraim Brigade (The West Martial Brigade) went forth (Num. 10:22-24).
      1. Ephraim had one command battalion and one support battalion.
      2. Two Manasseh battalions & two Benjamin battalions were in support.
   7. Dan Brigade (The North Martial Brigade) brought up the rear (Num. 10:25-27).
      1. Dan had one command battalion and two support battalions.
      2. Two Asher battalions & three Naphtali battalions were in support.
4. Moses invited his brother-in-law Hobab to accompany Israel, and to serve as a recon-platoon for their march (Num. 10:29-32; Jdg. 4:11).
5. Israel set forth on a three day march, following the Lord from Sinai (Num. 10:33-36).