Day 056 Numbers 5-6
Welcome to Day 056. God gives a law about jealousy in marriage. What happens if a man suspects his wife of infidelity? There's a test involving bitter water that either confirms guilt or proves innocence.
It seems harsh until you understand the purpose. It protects women. Without this test, a jealous or abusive husband could simply accuse and punish. The test appeals to God, not to human judgment. If the woman is innocent, God protects her.
Then God establishes the Nazirite vow. A voluntary commitment to special devotion. Someone who takes this vow abstains from wine, doesn't cut their hair, and avoids contact with the dead. It's a visible sign of consecration.
Notable Nazirites include Samson and John the Baptist. People who were set apart for God's specific purposes.
The Heartbeat: God cares about faithfulness in relationships and protects the vulnerable. He also honors those who voluntarily devote themselves to His purposes. The Nazirite vow shows that some people feel called to extraordinary devotion, and God honors that calling.
Heart-Check: Are you faithful in your commitments? Is God calling you to a season of special devotion? What would it look like to set yourself apart for His purposes?
Listen to today's verses from the ESV, then scroll down to select your learning path for today's reading for supplemental studying