It is concerning these individuals that the blessed James advised the wise Paul: ‘(Acts 21:23-24), to alleviate suspicion, you shall perform the required sacrifices as prescribed by the law.’ Regarding these individuals, the law states and mandates that those who have made such vows must avoid vinegar, grapes, and grape byproducts, and refrain from cutting the hair on their heads ‘until the days of their vow to the Lord have been fulfilled’ (Numbers 6:5). The act of allowing the hair to grow, as a dedication to God, signifies holiness. Consequently, it is stated: ‘All the days of his separation shall be holy unto the Lord’ (Num. 6:5-6); meaning that the hair devoted to God is not to be cut until the vow is completed. Additionally, the law instructs that one must avoid contact with deceased relatives; thus, if he happens to be present during a death, he is required to shave his head completely, not just on the first day, but on the seventh as well. The hair that has grown in that time must also be shaved, and on the eighth day, he is to bring two turtledoves—one for a sin offering and the other for a burnt offering, along with a lamb for the trespass (Num. 6:12). It is important here to understand that the offering for the trespass is considered a sacrifice for an unintentional sin, as the situation arose suddenly due to the death of another. The days of the vow must be recalculated because it is declared, ‘The former days shall not be counted, for his head, on account of his vow, has become unclean’ (Num. 6:12). Additionally, it is outlined what sacrifices ought to be presented upon fulfilling the vow of purification, which include a lamb for a burnt offering and a lamb for a sin offering; female sacrifices are designated for sin, reflecting that humanity often succumbs to sin when unguarded. Furthermore, the law stipulated that a flawless ram should be offered for atonement (Num. 6:14), accompanied by unleavened bread. Following the sacrifice, the shaved hair is placed upon the atoning sacrifice. The boiled ram (Num. 6:19), taken by the priest and placed upon the hands of the one who made the vow, signifies that the vow has been accomplished; for the boiled ram represents the fulfillment of the task. This law was not established without purpose, but serves to encourage careful consideration when making vows, and the responsibility to adhere to what one has pledged. It also instructs us to respect sacred matters; for one who becomes impure must seek cleansing from above and remove defilement through repentance. The blessed Paul echoes this in his epistle to the Galatians when he writes, ‘My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you’ (Galatians 4:19). Subsequently, the law teaches priests the manner in which to bless, demonstrating that God’s name imparts blessings to those who approach. For it is said, ‘They shall put My name upon the children of Israel, and I will bless them’ (Num. 6:27). The specific words of blessing are as follows: ‘The Lord bless thee, and keep thee; The Lord make His face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee; The Lord lift up His countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.’ From this, we glean that those who are blessed must first seek divine gifts, which corresponds to the call of ‘He shall bless thee’; then, they must safeguard what has been bestowed upon them, as is evident in the phrase, ‘And He shall keep thee’. The second blessing also heralds the coming of our God and Savior, as seen in ‘That the Lord may cause His face to shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee.’ The divine construction of the flesh of our God and Savior is characterized by mercy; thereby reconciliation with God has been granted to us. This is further communicated in the blessing, ‘That the Lord lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace.’ Paul, who is blessed, also spoke of this peace, stating: ‘For He is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us’ (Eph. 2:14-15). The prophet, having expounded on the blessing and narrated the anointing of the tabernacle alongside the offerings presented by the tribal leaders, recounts hearing a divine voice emanating from the consecration, overshadowed by cherubic wings (Num. 7:1-89). I present these insights not merely out of devotion, but to highlight that the Lord God revealed His glory to the bishops who entered the sanctuary once annually, according to what human nature could behold.
THEOSIS