“And the priest shall wave them for a wave offering before the Lord: this is holy for the priest, with the wave breast and heave shoulder: and after that the Nazarite may drink wine.”
Numbers 6:20 is part of the instructions given by God to Moses regarding the Nazirite vow. The Nazirite vow was a voluntary vow taken by individuals who desired to dedicate themselves to the Lord for a specific period of time. During this vow, they would abstain from cutting their hair, consuming any products of the grapevine, and coming into contact with anything or anyone who had died.
In this particular verse, God instructs the priest to perform a wave offering before the Lord on behalf of the Nazirite. The wave offering was a ritual act of consecration where the priest would present an offering by waving it before the Lord. In the case of the Nazirite, this wave offering included the wave breast and the heave shoulder of the sacrificed animal.
The wave breast and heave shoulder were specific portions of the animal sacrificed in worship to God. They were set apart as holy for the priest who officiated the offering. By receiving a portion of the offering, the priest shared in the sanctity and dedication of the Nazirite‘s vow. This act symbolized the unity and communion between the worshipper, the priest, and God.
After the wave offering had been performed, the Nazirite was allowed to drink wine. During the period of their vow, they were required to abstain from any grape products, including wine. However, once the vow was complete, they could resume their normal activities, including the consumption of wine.
This verse highlights the importance of fulfilling one’s vow and the significance of the priest’s role in facilitating the Nazirite‘s consecration. It also illustrates God’s grace and provision by allowing the Nazirite to resume certain activities, such as drinking wine, after the period of dedication was fulfilled.
Overall, Numbers 6:20 emphasizes the commitment of the Nazirite vow and the ceremonial procedures involved in the offering and completion of the vow. It reminds us of the importance of honoring our promises to God and the role of spiritual leaders in guiding and facilitating our journey of consecration.
