Follicle Power

Numbers 6:5

All the days of their nazirite vow no razor shall come upon the head; until the time is completed for which they separate themselves to the LORD, they shall be holy; they shall let the locks of the head grow long.

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My hair, flow it, show it
Long as God can grow
My hair

"Hair" by James Rado and Gerome Ragni recorded by The Cowsills

What's interesting about the Nazirites, and Samson in particular, is that there is no real explanation about why no razor shall come upon the head. It's pretty easy to understand why they should avoid a carcass or wine and strong drink, but no shave or haircut seems almost arbitrary.

There are two probible answers, the first is to show obedience and the second is to be set off to anyone who sees the Nazirite.

As for obedience, maybe this is the story of Samson in a nutshell. God was faithful while Samson took food, drink, and women that no Nazirite should take. God still blessed Samson with great strength even though he broke nearly every Nazirite vow. But it was when his hair was cut that his strength, and lo his freedom, were taken. Only at the end of the story, when Samson returns to God and his hair returns to his head is his strength restored.

So which came first? Hair or Faith? While they returned at the same time, It is probably only by faith that the power of his vows and the power that came through his vows returned. It just took the same amount of time to regrow the hair.

Something that is true, and still true among Orthodox Jewish men whose face and scalp has never seen a razor, is that their appearance sets them aside from other men in the community. This standing does not come from their hair, but their hair represents who they are in the community. It's a sign, a symbol. It represents that they are holy, set apart for the work of the Lord in the community.

Let my life show God is in control. Let my hair show I am obedient. Let my hair show all power comes from God. As the song goes: My hair, flow it, show it/Long as God can grow/My hair.