Two Tests of Nonconformity
Every community has its nonconformists and needs them, even if at times they appear to be little more than misfits or irritants. The Nazirites, something of an uncertain quantity, may come in this category.
The Hebrew nazar suggests separation, with Joseph who was ‘set apart from his brothers as one of the early contenders for the title. (Gen 49:26). An alternative interpretation relates them to the Hebrew nezer (meaning a vow) because they were people who took a vow and thereby separated themselves from the rest. Whether the vow was temporary or permanent and whether Nazirite identity changed over the 1,000 years of Old Testament history is unclear. It probably did, but at this point what is clear is that they were intended to separate themselves from others by abstinence from wine, unshorn hair and anything that might make them ritually unclean. Such finer points are for scholars. What matters more to us is two tests of nonconformity.
First, identity. The Nazirites stand out from the rest: the rest know this, recognise them, respect them and and accept them for what they are and for not being what many would like them to be. This may include geniuses, eccentrics or just plain ‘oddities’. They don’t expect anyone to join them, never give the impression that their way is the only way, and there is no evidence that they see themselves as superior.
Second, Nazirites who make a vow (Deut 23:21-23) are expected to live up to what they proclaim. They are neither ardent environmentalists who busy themselves flying from one international conference to another nor voluble pacifists who have a reputation for ‘upping the anti‘ when suddenly threatened in their own home. A good Nazirite is one who chooses to make a vow and keeps it. A bad Nazirite is one who makes a vow and breaks it, but if you are tempted to identify ‘Nazirites’ of your acquaintance to see which side of that line they are on first to take a look in a mirror. Those who pass the test are then worthy to receive the Priestly Benediction.