THE NAZARITE / NAZIRITE VOW - Those who decided to dedicate themselves to God as a Nazarite had to abstain from eating any grapes or any product made from them like juice, raisins and so on. Those who were under the vow could not shave any hair on their head. A Nazarite was not permitted to come near a corpse, even if it was from a close family member, so that they would not be rendered unclean. While Jesus was raised in Nazareth (and hence called a Nazarene) he was NOT a Nazarite. He practiced things that would not be permitted if he were under the vow. Jesus could not be a Nazarite because He drank wine, and did so frequently enough, that he was accused (falsely) of being a "winebibber" or drunk. He also came close to or touched the dead bodies of at least three people, which would have been forbidden for him to do. The New Testament states that men were expected to have short hair. Since Christ never took up the Nazarite vow for himself, which would have allowed him to wear long hair, he almost certainly always wore his short (one proof the Shroud of Turin is a fake). - Those who took the Nazarite vow voluntary pledge consecrated himself or herself to some special service to the Eternal. God's law permitted both men and women to take on this pledge. Those desiring to take the vow of a Nazarite had to be willing to sacrifice certain aspects of their life for the duration of their pledge.

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The Nazarite Vow

What is the Nazarite / Nazirite Vow?

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Those who decided to dedicate themselves to God as a Nazarite had to abstain from eating any grapes or any product made from them like juice, raisins and so on. Those who were under the vow could not shave any hair on their head. A Nazarite was not permitted to come near a corpse, even if it was from a close family member, so that they would not be rendered unclean. 

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While Jesus was raised in Nazareth (and hence called a Nazarene) he was NOT a Nazarite. He practiced things that would not be permitted if he were under the vow. Jesus could not be a Nazarite because He drank wine, and did so frequently enough, that he was accused (falsely) of being a "winebibber" or drunk. He also came close to or touched the dead bodies of at least three people, which would have been forbidden for him to do. 

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The New Testament states that men were expected to have short hair. Since Christ never took up the Nazarite vow for himself, which would have allowed him to wear long hair, he almost certainly always wore his short (one proof the Shroud of Turin is a fake).

BibleStudy.org

The requirements of the Nazarite vow are found primary in the Old Testament passages of Numbers 6:1-21, Judges 13:5-7, 16:17 and Amos 2:11-12.

Those who took this (usually) voluntary pledge consecrated himself or herself to some special service to the Eternal.

Those who wished to dedicate themselves as a Nazarite could do so for any period, although the Mishna (a collection of Jewish oral law) suggests a period of 30 days.

God's law permitted both men and women to take on this pledge (Numbers 6:2).

Those desiring to take the vow of a Nazarite had to be willing to sacrifice certain aspects of their life for the duration of their pledge.

They had to abstain entirely from wine or drinking anything with alcohol in it (Numbers 6:3, see also Amos 2:12).

In fact, those who decided to dedicate themselves to God as a Nazarite had to abstain from eating any grapes or any product made from them like juice, raisins and so on.

Those who were under the vow could not shave any hair on their head (e.g. beard, mustache, eyebrows - Numbers 6:5, Judges 13:5, 16:17).

This meant that those who promised to serve God in such a way were easily recognizable to other people, as they had long hair, bushy eyebrows, a long unkempt beard, etc.

A Nazarite was not permitted to come near a corpse, even if it was from a close family member, so that they would not be rendered unclean (Numbers 6:6-7).

After their period of dedicated service as a Nazarite ended, a person had to present burnt, sin and peace offerings at the temple (Numbers 6:13-21).

They were then to shave their head and burn the hairs, after which they were allowed to return to a normal life.

Although they existed before the time of Moses, the first person specifically mentioned in the Bible as being a Nazarite is Samson (Judges 13:7, 16:17).

He was among the very few dedicated as such from birth, along with Samuel (though not directly stated met the requirements – 1 Samuel 1:11), and John the Baptist (Luke 1:15).

Some Biblical commentaries believe that Absalom, one of King David's sons, took the vow (see 2 Samuel 14:26).

The apostle Paul seems to have also dedicated himself in this special way at least twice, near the end of his second missionary journey (Acts 18:18) and just before the start of his fourth one (Acts 21:23-26).

The New Testament also mentions others who took this pledge of a Nazarite (Acts 21:23-24).

One Christian tradition speculates that the Apostle James might also have taken this pledge (Eusebius, Ecclesiates History, ii. 23. 3).

While Jesus was raised in Nazareth (and hence called a Nazarene - Matthew 2:23) he was NOT a Nazarite.

He practiced things that would not be permitted if he were under the vow.

For example, Jesus could not be a Nazarite because He drank wine, and did so frequently enough, that he was accused (falsely) of being a "winebibber" (Matthew 11:19, Luke 7:34) or drunk.

Additionally, He also came close to or touched the dead bodies of at least three people (Luke 7:11-15, 8:49 - 55, John 11), which would have been forbidden for him to do.

The New Testament states that men were expected to have short hair (1 Corinthians 11:14, 16).

Since Christ never took up the Nazarite vow for himself, which would have allowed him to wear long hair, he almost certainly always wore his short (one proof the Shroud of Turin is a fake).

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https://www.biblestudy.org/maturart/what-is-the-nazarite-vow.html

WHY GOD CHOOSE MARY TO BE THE MOTHER OF JESUS - In passages that weave together like a tapestry, we discover that God had reasons for choosing the times, places, and people involved in His redemption plan. Some of the reasons that God chose Mary to be the mother of the Messiah - Mary was of the right lineage - Mary was engaged to a man whose heritage would require him to visit Bethlehem at just the right time - Mary was a virgin. It was critical that the mother of the Messiah be a virgin in order to fulfill the prophecy of Isaiah 7:14: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.” The virgin birth, in bypassing a human father, circumvented the transmission of the sin nature and allowed the Messiah to be a sinless man. Mary was from Nazareth. Prophecies given hundreds of years before Jesus’ birth declared that the Messiah would be of little reputation - To be called a Nazarene or a Galilean was something of an insult in those days. God may have had more reasons for choosing Mary of Nazareth, but we will have to wait until we get to heaven to find out what they are. Gabriel brought to Mary the news that she had “found favor with God” and would give birth to a son to reign forever on David’s throne. Mary was just a person God used for His purposes. Because of certain misunderstandings about Mary, it is important to note that she was not chosen because she was more holy than other people.

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Why did God choose Mary?

In passages that weave together like a tapestry, we discover that God had reasons for choosing the times, places, and people involved in His redemption plan. 

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Some of the reasons that God chose Mary to be the mother of the Messiah - Mary was of the right lineage - Mary was engaged to a man whose heritage would require him to visit Bethlehem at just the right time - Mary was a virgin. It was critical that the mother of the Messiah be a virgin in order to fulfill the prophecy of Isaiah 7:14: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.” The virgin birth, in bypassing a human father, circumvented the transmission of the sin nature and allowed the Messiah to be a sinless man. 

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Mary was from Nazareth. Prophecies given hundreds of years before Jesus’ birth declared that the Messiah would be of little reputation - to be called a Nazarene or a Galilean was something of an insult in those days. God may have had more reasons for choosing Mary of Nazareth, but we will have to wait until we get to heaven to find out what they are.

Got Questions Ministries

 

“In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a village in Galilee, to a virgin named Mary” - (Luke 1:26–27, NLT).

These words are familiar to most of us as part of what we call the Christmas story.

Gabriel brought to Mary the news that she had “found favor with God” and would give birth to a son to reign forever on David’s throne (Luke 1:30–33).

In passages that weave together like a tapestry, we discover that God had reasons for choosing the times, places, and people involved in His redemption plan (Ephesians 1:9–11).

This article will explore some of the reasons that God chose Mary to be the mother of the Messiah.

1. Mary was of the right lineage. Luke traces Mary’s lineage through David, Boaz, Judah, Jacob, Isaac, and Jacob.

Her son would be qualified to bear the title Son of David and be the righteous “Branch” that was to come from David’s family (Isaiah 11:1).

2. Mary was engaged to a man whose heritage would require him to visit Bethlehem at just the right time.

Micah 5:2 foretold the birthplace of the Messiah, pinpointing Bethlehem in Judah.

Many virgins may have known God’s favor and may have descended from King David’s line, but not many would also be in the small town of Bethlehem when it was time for the Messiah to be born.

3. Mary was a virgin. It was critical that the mother of the Messiah be a virgin in order to fulfill the prophecy of Isaiah 7:14: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.”

Matthew reminded his readers of that prophecy, which was crucial in verifying Jesus’ identity (Matthew 1:23).

She could not be married, or the world would assume Jesus had an earthly father.

She could not have a bad reputation, or no one would have believed her story about a virgin birth, not even her own family.

The virgin birth, in bypassing a human father, circumvented the transmission of the sin nature and allowed the Messiah to be a sinless man.

4. Mary was from Nazareth. Prophecies given hundreds of years before Jesus’ birth declared that the Messiah would be of little reputation (Isaiah 53; Zechariah 9:9; cf. Matthew 2:23).

To be called a Nazarene or a Galilean was something of an insult in those days (see John 1:46).

Had Mary been wealthy, socially prestigious, or from an affluent city, Jesus could not have easily connected with lowly people, the ones He’d come to save (Luke 19:10; Mark 2:17).

But because He was from Nazareth, Mary’s hometown, the humility and commonness prophesied about Him was fulfilled.

God may have had more reasons for choosing Mary of Nazareth, but we will have to wait until we get to heaven to find out what they are.

Mary was just a person God used for His purposes. Because of certain misunderstandings about Mary, it is important to note that she was not chosen because she was more holy than other people.

The angel’s address to her as “highly favored” and “blessed” (Luke 1:28, NKJV) is a reference to the uniqueness of her pending task, not to any level of virtuousness she had attained.

Mary was surely a godly woman, but that is not the point.

Gabriel’s emphasis was on her privilege, not her piety.

She had “found favor with God” (verse 30), but that says more about God’s goodness than Mary’s.

She was the recipient of God’s grace, His undeserved favor.

Mary gives us an example of total devotion to the Lord in her answer to the angel Gabriel: “I am the Lord’s servant. May it be unto me as you have said” (Luke 1:38).

May we have the wisdom and grace to answer God’s call, whatever it is, the way Mary did.

Got Questions Ministries seeks to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ by providing biblical, applicable, and timely answers to spiritually related questions through an internet presence."
GotQuestions.org is a ministry of dedicated and trained servants who have a desire to assist others in their understanding of God, Scripture, salvation, and other spiritual topics. We are Christian, Protestant, evangelical, theologically conservative, and non-denominational. We view ourselves as a para-church ministry, coming alongside the church to help people find answers to their spiritually related questions.

https://www.gotquestions.org/why-did-God-choose-Mary.html

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THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS UPON ME - The Spirit of the Lord was indeed upon JESUS, for He had been anointed of God to preach good news to the poor; to proclaim freedom to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind; to set free the oppressed – and He gave His life as the ransom price for the sin of the world on a wooden cross, two thousand years ago - For thirty-three years, the God of the universe stepped out of eternity into time. He broke into the timeline of the earth’s history, as the perfect Man, in order to secure redemption for all, who would believe on His name. He was the anointed One, Who would redeem His people, as foretold by the prophets of old. He came as God incarnate – fully God yet fully Man, so that His shed blood would pay the full price of mankind’s bottomless swamp of sin. His claims were authenticated, in word and deed, by the fulfillment of every prophecy, pertaining to His first coming. He was born of a virgin in the little town of Bethlehem. He was the promised Seed of Abraham, of the house of Judah and the kingly line of David. John the Baptist’s voice crying in the wilderness would prepare His way, and He would be prophet like Moses and declared “the Son of God”. He would speak in parables and be praised by children. He would be a priest after the order of Melchizedek and He would be called a Nazarene. He would be a light in Galilee, heal the broken-hearted, and set captives free.

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“the Spirit of the Lord is upon Me”

What Does Luke 4:18 Mean?
The Spirit of the Lord was indeed upon JESUS, for He had been anointed of God to preach good news to the poor; to proclaim freedom to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind; to set free the oppressed – and He gave His life as the ransom price for the sin of the world on a wooden cross, two thousand years ago

knowing-jesus.com

"the Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives, and recovery of sight to the blind, to set free those who are oppressed” - Luke 4:18 (NASB)

For thirty-three years, the God of the universe stepped out of eternity into time.

He broke into the timeline of the earth’s history, as the perfect Man, in order to secure redemption for all, who would believe on His name.

He was the anointed One, Who would redeem His people, as foretold by the prophets of old.

He came as God incarnate – fully God yet fully Man, so that His shed blood would pay the full price of mankind’s bottomless swamp of sin.

His claims were authenticated, in word and deed, by the fulfillment of every prophecy, pertaining to His first coming.

He was born of a virgin in the little town of Bethlehem. He was the promised Seed of Abraham, of the house of Judah and the kingly line of David.

John the Baptist’s voice crying in the wilderness would prepare His way, and He would be prophet like Moses and declared “the Son of God”.

He would speak in parables and be praised by children. He would be a priest after the order of Melchizedek and He would be called a Nazarene.

He would be a light in Galilee, heal the broken-hearted, and set captives free.

He would be falsely accused, betrayed by one of His own, led as a lamb to the slaughter, and yet would not open His mouth to defend Himself.

He would be crucified with criminals and have His hands and feet pierced.

He would rise from the dead and in so doing break the power of sin and Satan, death and hell… for all who would trust in Him.

And early in His ministry He stood up in His home-town synagogue, to declare, “the Spirit of the Lord is on Me, because He has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim freedom to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set free the oppressed…”

Jesus pronounced the fulfilment of this ancient prophecy from Isaiah, and the people there wondered at the gracious words that fell from His lips, yet they sought to slay Him for they could not accept the truth – but He passed through their midst, for His time had not yet arrived.

Although Jesus was rejected in His home-town of Nazareth and an attempt was made to kill Him, He fulfilled this and many more astounding ancient prophecies, over the course of His life.

The Spirit of God was indeed upon Him for He submitted to the leading of the Spirit throughout His life, spoke only those things He heard from the Father, carried out His Father’s will and fulfilled every prophecy relating to His first advent.

He did indeed preach the good news of salvation to the poor, proclaiming freedom from sin, Satan, death and hell – by faith in Him.

He gave sight to the blind, hearing to the deaf and loosed the tongue of the mute.

He raised the dead, turned water into wine, fed multitudes of men and freed those who were oppressed through the good news that He came to bring.

The Spirit of the Lord was indeed upon JESUS, for He had been anointed of God to preach good news to the poor; to proclaim freedom to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind; to set free the oppressed – and He gave His life as the ransom price for the sin of the world on a wooden cross, two thousand years ago.

My Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You that You sent the Lord Jesus to preach the good news to the poor, to proclaim freedom to captives and recovery of sight the blind.

I confess that I am poor and needy. I too was captive to sin and Satan and was spiritually blind and dead in my trespasses and sin.

Thank You that in Your grace You redeemed me from the pit, reached down and saved me from my captivity and opened my eyes to the truth of Your Word.

Thank You that by Christ’s death and resurrection I am a new person, and have His Spirit within – to lead, to guide, to protect and to teach me in the way that I should go.

May I keep My eyes fixed on Jesus, the Author and Finisher of my faith – in Whose name I pray, AMEN.

https://dailyverse.knowing-jesus.com/luke-4-18