A Life of Duplicity

"“All the days of his separation shall he eat nothing that is made of the vine tree, from the kernels even to the husk.” Numbers 6:4

The vow of the Nazarite was a vow of separation. Separated from the world for the purpose of God. Not many would take this vow. Sad enough, many who did lived a life of duplicity. Samson, in his life, was not separated from the world. In fact, he desired the life and experiences a sinful world embraced.

In his dallying with Jezebel, a daughter of a Philistine, Samson reveals the truth of who he was in his confession to Jezebel of his perceived source of his strength:

“...he told her all his heart, and said unto her, There hath not come a razor upon mine head; for I have been a Nazarite unto God from my mother's womb: if I be shaven, then my strength will go from me, and I shall become weak, and be like any other man.” (Jdg 16:17) 

God used Samson even though he did not keep his vow of the separation of the Nazarite. Samson was raised up by God to be one of the twelve Judges who would deliver Israel from her enemies. It is sad that Samson, who was born and raised to be a powerful man of God, wasted his life in the sinful lifestyles of the world.

God is faithful and just and will keep His word even if we fail Him. God’s word indeed:

“...shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.” (Isa 55:11)

God had sent His word that a man and woman would be the vessels that God would use to “accomplish” His purpose for the nation of Israel:

“For, lo, thou shalt conceive, and bear a son; and no razor shall come on his head: for the child shall be a Nazarite unto God from the womb: and he shall begin to deliver Israel out of the hand of the Philistines." (Jdg 13:5)