The first four chapters of Numbers outline the layout of the camps, and the duties of the Levites. Instructions for life in the camp begins with chapter five. If the Lord was going to dwell with His people then it was important that Israel kept themselves from any defilement (Num. 5:3). Instructions included lepers being quarantined outside the camp; dishonest gain being confessed and offended parties being repaid; and suspected immorality being tested before God. Purity, honesty, and truth were the codes of the camp.

Chapter six includes a personal vow unto the Lord. If an Israelite wanted to separate themselves unto the LORD they would make a Nazirite vow (Num. 6:2). The Nazirite vow was a person who was separated unto God. Abstention from wine, strong drink, and unclean food were part of the commands. The Nazirite was also forbidden from touching anything that was dead. Furthermore, the Nazirite was not to cut his hair.

The holiness standards of chapter five were obligatory for all of Israel. The Nazirite vow was voluntary for individuals. There are corporate standards of holiness, and there are personal standards of holiness. Scripture gives instructions of holiness that every believer is to abide by. On the other hand, there are personal convictions that some may feel to live by. Both are done unto the Lord.

How close do you want to get to the Lord? That is the question. Holiness is not a killjoy. Holiness draws us in to closer proximity to Jesus Christ, and produces great joy! Holiness is not about loss, it is about gain. The apostle Paul said, “I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death (Php. 3:8-10).

Beloved, we don’t lose anything when we forsake something to draw closer to Jesus.