Justin Houtz

Numbers 6, Romans 6

DateVersionReading Plan
May 3, 2025ESV (2016)OT/NT Plan 2025 – 2027

Numbers 6

Observation

The LORD spoke to Moses to tell the people what was to be done if one took the vow of the Nazirite. Such a person was to separate himself to the LORD and drink no wine or strong drink (Num. 6:2-3). Neither was he to drink vinegar made from wine, juice from grapes or eat grapes either fresh or dried (specified as raisins in the NKJV and NIV) (Num. 6:3). The separation from grapes was to be for the duration of his vow. The CSB Notes provides a reason for the restriction in that “The vineyard denoted a sedentary lifestyle that often lost its perspective of total devotion to the Lord.”

The Nazirite was not to shave his head while or touch a dead body while under the vow, not even if the dead body was that of a close family relative (Num. 6:6-7). The LORD through Moses detailed what was to be done if the Nazirite accidentally came close to a dead body, something that “could happen accidentally while a person was sleeping in his tent when an elderly relative died.” (CSB Notes) (Num. 6:9-12). The Nazirite was to go through a seven-day cleansing period followed by the offering of sacrifices. However, as the BBC points out, “In spite of all the offerings, the days of his original separation were lost, and he had to begin all over again. Thus although a defiled Nazirite could be reconsecrated, the days of his defilement were lost.”

Numbers 6:13-21 describes the ceremony for the Nazirite concluding his vow, involving sacrificial offerings, shaving his head and burning the hair in the fire under the peace offering. After the ceremony was completed, the Nazirite was permitted to drink wine, ending the instruction of the Nazirite similarly to how it begins in the chapter, namely, with the mention of wine.

The LORD then spoke to Moses and told him to speak to Aaron and his sons on how they were to bless the people of Israel (Num. 6:22-26). In this way, Moses, Aaron and his sons were to put the LORD’s name upon the people of Israel and He would bless them (Num. 6:27).

Application

The BBC gives helpful insight regarding when the Nazirite accidentally broke his vow. Connecting the loss of days during the Nazirite’s defilement to believers of the modern day, the BBC says: “For us, this means that a backslidden believer can be restored but the time spent out of fellowship with God is wasted.” To be fruitful in ministry requires constant fellowship and obedience to God. The saints are to be diligent in abiding to the Vine that is Christ, saturated in His Word, fervent in prayer and actively engaged in Christian community. Because of our sin, we are certain to do this imperfectly and there will be times of stumbling, but thanks be to God that we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. By the power of His Spirit, let us then make every effort to draw close to Him, to know Him and make Him known, faithful to our calling as His people.

Romans 6

Observation

Paul sharply corrects any notion that one can or should continue in sin so that God would have a greater display of His grace (Rom. 6:1-2). At his regeneration, a believer dies to his sin and thus is no longer to live in it. Paul clarifies through rhetorical question that all those who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death. This was in order that we would be raised to new life just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father (Rom. 6:4). Paul connects the unification of our death with Christ with the certainty of our unification with Him in a resurrection like His (Rom. 6:5). We know that our old self (or old man) was crucified with Him to bring the body to nothing so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin (Rom. 6:6).

One who has died has been set free from sin. The BBC provides a helpful example in saying, “Here is a man, for example, who is sentenced to die in the electric chair for murdering a police officer. As soon as he dies, he is freed (literally “justified”) from that sin. The penalty has been paid and the case is closed.” Believers are to consider themselves dead to sin, presenting themselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life and their members to Him as instruments of righteousness (Rom. 6:13). Sin will no longer have dominion over the faithful in Christ, “The believer has died to sin. He has received the indwelling Holy Spirit as the power for holy living.” (BBC).

Again, Paul corrects the wrongful, anticipated position of continuing to sin due to the fact that believers are no longer under law but under grace (Rom. 6:15). A person becomes a slave to that which they present themselves, either of sin that leads to death or of obedience that leads to righteousness (Rom. 6:16). But thanks be to God that His elect who were once slaves have become obedient to the heart to the standard of teaching to which they have committed, set free from sin to become slaves of righteousness (Rom. 6:18). While they were once slaves to impunity and lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, they are now to present their members as slaves to righteousness leading to more righteousness (Rom. 6:19).

In their formers state, believers were slaves to sin and free in regard to righteousness, but they are now ashamed of the fruit they were yielding in that time because its end is death (Rom. 6:20-21). Having since been set free from sin, the fruit they now get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life (Rom. 6:22). The chapter concludes with Paul’s statement that the wages of sin is death but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord (Rom. 6:23).

Application

It is to be the earnest desire of every Christ-follower to yield fruit that glorifies God and leads to sanctification. Continuing in the same tone as the application of Numbers 6, the regenerated heart of every believer is made manifest through the effort to make everything said and done be for the exaltation of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. May we see His majesty and the glorious end to our faithful service to Him, grateful that we have been ransomed from the slavery of sin to be made slaves of righteousness.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You that You have chosen Your people to be Your representatives in this fallen world. Father, help me by Your Spirit to be steadfast in faithfulness to the calling You have made on my life. Father, how awesome are You to give me eyes to see my sin and desperate need for Your salvation that I may serve, worship and abide in You all my days.

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