Of Great Price
Prices tell us about the value of things. But, sometimes, there would be items that are either overpriced or underpriced. When we get caught up into giving away so much money for goods that should costs less we feel cheated. However, we'll be very glad to pay less for what is of great price.
Nevertheless, there will certainly be a problem when what we consider of great price is seen as worthless by another class, who may be more or less learned than we are; it is the challenge of having different value systems. In modern societies, people are taught to respect the values of others, even though they are different from ours. This places some kind of equality on values that are otherwise not equal. It might be likened to rating a grade one pupil on the same level with a grade six. That would be a false weight. But men have accepted it as fair in order not to be offensive.
Is it not really bad enough to know that "...that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God"? (Luke 16:15). With the contradiction of these two value systems, will it not be proper to have the one that is more excellent? This would save us from the trouble of counting our shame as our glory (Philippians 3:19).
If there should be any real measurement of values, we should give credit to the Creator of values Himself, the Almighty God. It would be foolish to deny His existence in the face of the great designs of His works that we see before us every day. His value system is the most accurate of all systems. In His Holy Book, He asks:
"For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?" (Mat 16:26). This is His own assessment of values. According to Him, the value of whole world is not a good exchange value for a man's soul. If we fail to accept His counsel, we may turn out to feel cheated at the end to realize that we have spent so much of our lives on worthless things.
He also tells us of a man "who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it." (Mat 13:46). That man must be a wise man. He had the right value system to understand that all his possessions were not worth the pearl of great price. He could easily dispose himself of them all to acquire the most important treasure of his life. Such a man was Paul, the apostle. All the "...things (that) were gain to (him), those (he) counted loss for Christ". Yes, he counted "all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord..." that he might be able to win Christ. (Philippians 3:7,8). The knowledge of Jesus Christ as Lord is the most excellent knowledge and the missing link in modern thinking. We have to give up all other knowledge to know the true Lord and be able to have the right value system.
When we have the right value system, we will not pursue outward evaluation of ourselves as much as we pursue our inward purification; rather we would heed the divine counsel that reads: "But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price." ( 1Pe 3:4). To possess this priced pearl, we have to exchange it for the outward adornments because they truly detract from the most excellent glory of the soul. The hidden man of the heart is hidden and incorruptible by worldly defilement because it is separate from the world and separated to God. God describes it as an ornament of a meek and quiet spirit and of great price. It was purchased at the cost of a sinless blood. If it is of great price to Him, should it not be so to us, too? Should we value external things above it? Or should we not see ourselves as He sees us: complete in glory, needing no additions to beautify ourselves? The problem with seeking outward beauty is the contradiction of the hiding of the man of the heart. The man of the heart wants to remain hidden and let Christ be known for the excellency that He is. But no, the old man of the flesh, who is subject to the old serpent, his head, seeks to be known rather. This is why we must sell it, give it up, crucify it and exchange it for the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is of great price in the sight of God.
But a certain ruler, when he learnt that he had to sell all these things to gain eternal life became "...very sorrowful: for he was very rich" in earthly things (Luke 18:23). Esteeming earthly things in the mind over and above heavenly things to the extent that we cannot easily dispose of them to gain the excellency of the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ, the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His suffering makes us enemies of His cross and Antichrists, even though we profess otherwise. We become enemies of righteousness and the things that are eternal and true. That is why the love of the world is the root of evil. But if we love the Father, rather than fleshly desires, attractive things and the prideful things of the earth, we shall know indeed that He is our great and exceeding reward!
Friday, November 8, 2019
Wednesday, April 10, 2019
The Compassionate Jesus
All men weak and heavy laden
Yoked with yonder master sour
Who'd for sport increase the burden
While men labor every hour
Oh see compassionate Jesus
Full of glory and of grace
See what love He sheds upon us
The light of His loving face
See the patient Savior willing
All the burden just to bear
To stop yonder tyrant daily killing
All who should the Savior near
Why do men assail the yoke
Which the Savior gives for them
As love's token are words He spoke
For a guide and help to them
All the kind Savior says is "come"
All the weary He doth call
Here is the rest and here's home
But men look away and fall
Why dear friend must you go unsaved
When the Savior died to save
Why should any soul die depraved
With such One mighty to save
His hands wide stretched are hanging loose
His voice pleads oh come oh come
Just some pray'rs for men's good use
His strong arms will bring us home
(11:20 am, April 10, 2019, at work)
Yoked with yonder master sour
Who'd for sport increase the burden
While men labor every hour
Oh see compassionate Jesus
Full of glory and of grace
See what love He sheds upon us
The light of His loving face
See the patient Savior willing
All the burden just to bear
To stop yonder tyrant daily killing
All who should the Savior near
Why do men assail the yoke
Which the Savior gives for them
As love's token are words He spoke
For a guide and help to them
All the kind Savior says is "come"
All the weary He doth call
Here is the rest and here's home
But men look away and fall
Why dear friend must you go unsaved
When the Savior died to save
Why should any soul die depraved
With such One mighty to save
His hands wide stretched are hanging loose
His voice pleads oh come oh come
Just some pray'rs for men's good use
His strong arms will bring us home
(11:20 am, April 10, 2019, at work)
Conducting Ourselves in the House of God
How to conduct our bodies before the Lord
God has given man a body to dwell upon the earth, and at the end, man shall give account of the things done in this body. The body was made from the earth. It is of the earth. Being of the earth, it is not above the elements of the earth. It's only the glory of God in man that lifts him above the elements of the earth. Without the "God-essence" in man he cannot manage the body given to him. Man lost this glory through sin. Christ has come to restore the glory of God in man. Christ in us is the hope of glory.
Except man is able to manage or rule over his body, he cannot rule or have dominion over the earth. But if he, through the Spirit of Christ, mortifies his members that are upon the earth, he has dominion over the earth, because his flesh is linked to the earth.
The problem of mankind is sin in the body of man. Except we manage the body to expel sin from it, we'll not be able to reign over the earth that God has given us. Therefore we should not let sin reign in our body. Christ condemned it in the flesh. When we trust in Him, not being of a doubtful mind, He will uphold us and make us stand in the evil day over and above the elements of the earth. He deals with us tenderly, not accusing or condemning us, but helping us to withstand the evil one in our body. He is working in us as we are working out our own salvation, trusting in the living God.
We need to separate from the garment spotted by the flesh. Our earthly nature (being of the earth and having its members upon the earth, such as fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry) is easily beset by evil company. We need to keep it far from the influence of such entanglement and steadfastly wait upon the Lord Jesus Christ to work in us to the fullness of His nature, before we may be able to win the world around us to Him, when they behold His glory in us.
Most importantly, we need the wisdom that is from above to do all things in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, just as if all the things we do were done by Him, through Him, in Him and for Him. May the Lord help all the members of His holy church to manage their bodies in this world, to give good account of what was done in it. Amen.
*[[Rom 6:12]] KJV*
Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.
*Rom 8:3*
For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
*1Th 4:4*
That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour
*[[1Ti 3:15]] KJV*
But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.
*[[2Co 5:10]] KJV*
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.
Here are more scriptures about how to manage our bodies:
*Romans 12:1*
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
*1Co 9:27*
But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
God has given man a body to dwell upon the earth, and at the end, man shall give account of the things done in this body. The body was made from the earth. It is of the earth. Being of the earth, it is not above the elements of the earth. It's only the glory of God in man that lifts him above the elements of the earth. Without the "God-essence" in man he cannot manage the body given to him. Man lost this glory through sin. Christ has come to restore the glory of God in man. Christ in us is the hope of glory.
Except man is able to manage or rule over his body, he cannot rule or have dominion over the earth. But if he, through the Spirit of Christ, mortifies his members that are upon the earth, he has dominion over the earth, because his flesh is linked to the earth.
The problem of mankind is sin in the body of man. Except we manage the body to expel sin from it, we'll not be able to reign over the earth that God has given us. Therefore we should not let sin reign in our body. Christ condemned it in the flesh. When we trust in Him, not being of a doubtful mind, He will uphold us and make us stand in the evil day over and above the elements of the earth. He deals with us tenderly, not accusing or condemning us, but helping us to withstand the evil one in our body. He is working in us as we are working out our own salvation, trusting in the living God.
We need to separate from the garment spotted by the flesh. Our earthly nature (being of the earth and having its members upon the earth, such as fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry) is easily beset by evil company. We need to keep it far from the influence of such entanglement and steadfastly wait upon the Lord Jesus Christ to work in us to the fullness of His nature, before we may be able to win the world around us to Him, when they behold His glory in us.
Most importantly, we need the wisdom that is from above to do all things in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, just as if all the things we do were done by Him, through Him, in Him and for Him. May the Lord help all the members of His holy church to manage their bodies in this world, to give good account of what was done in it. Amen.
*[[Rom 6:12]] KJV*
Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.
*Rom 8:3*
For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
*1Th 4:4*
That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour
*[[1Ti 3:15]] KJV*
But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.
*[[2Co 5:10]] KJV*
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.
Here are more scriptures about how to manage our bodies:
*Romans 12:1*
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
*1Co 9:27*
But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
Tuesday, March 19, 2019
The Antitype of Tithes
*What's the Scriptural Antitype of Tithes?*
INTRODUCTION
Now concerning the Antitype of tithes in the Bible, whereof somebody wrote to me: it is good that I first implore you to follow this piece with a ready mind, looking unto God to guide us through His Spirit and His Word. This is because many who make inquiry with idols in their heart and put the stumbling block of their iniquity before their face are answered according to the multitude of their idols, hence they gain no profit from their inquiry (Ezekiel 14:1-11).
It is the regular pattern of the "pro-tithing" advocates to ask for "the Antitype of tithes " when all the strongholds of their defence have been cast down. It does not matter to them that all the facts of the foregoing discussions show that modern tithing in the churches have no place in the Bible. They are content to take resort to this last bubble of inquiry about the Antitype of tithes. By the grace of God, even this bubble, like all others before it, will always burst when the smallest needle of truth is thrust into its heart.
When I began to make my personal study on tithing, I lit upon the truth I'm about to share in this piece. At the time the Lord of heaven and earth revealed it to me, I had no idea of the concept of type and Antitype. I give Him the glory for this revelation that is hidden from the wise and prudent, but given unto babes! (Matthew 11:25)
Before we go into it, I'll love to show us that it is not every Old Testament practice that we are shown its specific Antitype in the Bible. It's expected that the most important ones should gain recognition. If this is the case, the less important ones, of which the Lord Jesus Christ enlisted the tithes in Matthew 23:23, would normally have little or no mention. No wonder the New Testament writers spent too little time on the subject, unlike modern preachers. The lighter types could be very easily understood for their individual Antitype by every sincerely seeking heart. Whenever there is a real challenge in comprehending it, we fall back on the word of the Lord Jesus Christ in John 5:39, "Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and *they are they which testify of me*"; whereby we affirm that the Lord Jesus Christ is the Antitype of them all. After all, Col 2:17 says that the body of those things, which are a shadow of things to come is of Christ.
As for the issue of tithing, we thank the Lord that we are not left without witnesses as to the Antitype, whereof this piece has been made necessary. Though we do not find it mentioned in the New Testament, the Old Testament itself made the matter very obvious for the discerning mind.
*Jacob's Vow*
*[[Gen 28:20-22/KJV]]* (v 20) And Jacob vowed a vow, saying, If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on, (v 21) So that I come again to my father's house in peace; then shall the LORD be my God: (v 22) And this stone, which I have set for a pillar, shall be God's house: and of all that thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto thee.
Some think that tithing was a regular practice with Abraham and his descendants, but we have no Bible proof for that. What we have here is a vow by one of his grandchildren to give a tenth of all that God would give him if he was prospered. It was a conditional vow. The tithing would come after the prosperity, not before it as many modern preachers claim. However, we have no record in the Bible that he fulfilled his pledge to God after the blessings. Nevertheless, it was a binding vow that entitled the Lord to a tenth of all he was blessed with. This would surely be demanded from his offsprings through the law that God gave Moses years later.
*The Levites*
*[[Num 3:11-13/KJV]]* (v 11) And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, (v 12) And I, behold, I have taken the Levites from among the children of Israel instead of all the firstborn that openeth the matrix among the children of Israel: therefore the Levites shall be mine; (v 13) Because all the firstborn are mine; for on the day that I smote all the firstborn in the land of Egypt I hallowed unto me all the firstborn in Israel, both man and beast: mine shall they be: I am the LORD.
The day the Lord smote the firstborn sons in Egypt, the firstborn sons of Israel were spared though they were also in Egypt that night. The Lord spared them from the minister of death, yet they were supposed to be dead, but for the lamb that was slain for their sakes. Now that they were spared their life was no more their own but His who spared them. We would readily understand the Antitype of this to be the salvation we gain through the death of the Lamb of God. Every firstborn of Israel thenceforth belonged to God by right. But He chose to replace them with the Levites. They thenceforth took the position of the firstborn sons of Israel before the Lord. They had no portion nor inheritance in their nation and among their brethren because the Lord is their inheritance and they were His belonging (Deuteronomy 18:1-2). This tribe of Levi who represented the firstborn sons whose lives were spared in the Passover are a type of the souls that are now being spared from spiritual death unto eternal life. They have no portion with the world because the Lord is their inheritance.
*[[Deu 14:27-29/KJV]]* (v 27) And the Levite that is within thy gates; thou shalt not forsake him; for he hath no part nor inheritance with thee. (v 28) At the end of three years thou shalt bring forth all the tithe of thine increase the same year, and shalt lay it up within thy gates: (v 29) And the Levite, (because he hath no part nor inheritance with thee,) and the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, which are within thy gates, shall come, and shall eat and be satisfied; that the LORD thy God may bless thee in all the work of thine hand which thou doest.
*The Object of the Tithes, According to Deuteronomy 14*
*[[Deu 14:23]] KJV* And thou shalt eat before the LORD thy God, in the place which he shall choose to place his name there, the tithe of thy corn, of thy wine, and of thine oil, and the firstlings of thy herds and of thy flocks; *that thou mayest learn to fear the LORD thy God always*.
*[[Deu 14:26]] KJV* And thou shalt bestow that money for whatsoever thy soul lusteth after, for oxen, or for sheep, or for wine, or for strong drink, or for whatsoever thy soul desireth: and thou shalt eat there before the LORD thy God, and *thou shalt rejoice, thou, and thine household*,
*[[Deu 14:29]] KJV* And the Levite, (because he hath no part nor inheritance with thee,) and the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, which are within thy gates, shall come, and shall eat and be satisfied; *that the LORD thy God may bless thee in all the work of thine hand which thou doest*.
We see from the above verses the object of tithing. The first, according to Deut 14:23, is to instil the fear of the Lord in the hearts of the sons of Jacob. As they eat the tithes in the temple in the presence of the Lord, they acknowledge that it belonged to the Lord who has permitted them to enjoy it with their household. This is similar to the life we now enjoy in Christ Jesus our Lord, knowing that it is His own, not ours. We live diligently in all holy conversation, reverence and godly fear.
The second object, according to Deut 14:26 is for rejoicing. This is the joy of the Lord in the heart of His consecrated souls.
The third object as in Deut 14:29 is the blessing of the Lord for the faithful. This is what was repeated in Malachi 3:10.
*Purging the Sons of Levi*
*[[Mal 3:1-4/KJV]]* (v 1) Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts. (v 2) But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' soap: (v 3) And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness. (v 4) Then shall the offering of Judah and Jerusalem be pleasant unto the LORD, as in the days of old, and as in former years.
The prophecy above asserts that the Lord Jesus Christ, when He appears and comes into His own temple, shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver to purify the sons of Levi and purge them as gold and silver, so that they may be able to offer an offering in righteousness unto the Lord, an offering pleasant unto Him as in the days of old and as in former years.
This type of offering would not be possible until the Lord of the temple enters into His own to purge and purify them as a royal priesthood (1Peter 2:5,9) to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. Therefore, till this kind of offering would become possible, the prophet Malachi, in the proceeding verses of the third chapter of the holy book that bears his name, reminded the nation of Israel of their unfaithfulness in the Mosaic covenant of tithes and offering.
Conclusion
The tithes which was a tenth part of the increase of crops and animals produced in the Holy Land was concentrated unto God. The number ten mostly stood for a whole. It shows completeness. The Israelites were bound by law to set it apart as holy unto God. They gave it as support for the Levites whose portion was not with them but with God. As the tenth stood for the whole, so it foreshadowed the offering up of the whole body, soul and spirit to the Lord, which are His (1Cor. 6:20). All these things are a shadow of the offering up of the purified sons of Levi (which now includes the Gentiles, Romans 15:16) in the refiner's fire as an offering, nay, a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, as a reasonable service, an offering in righteousness, pleasant unto the Lord, as in the former years and in the days of old (Romans 12:1; Malachi 3:3-4).
Rom 15:16 ... that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost.
INTRODUCTION
Now concerning the Antitype of tithes in the Bible, whereof somebody wrote to me: it is good that I first implore you to follow this piece with a ready mind, looking unto God to guide us through His Spirit and His Word. This is because many who make inquiry with idols in their heart and put the stumbling block of their iniquity before their face are answered according to the multitude of their idols, hence they gain no profit from their inquiry (Ezekiel 14:1-11).
It is the regular pattern of the "pro-tithing" advocates to ask for "the Antitype of tithes " when all the strongholds of their defence have been cast down. It does not matter to them that all the facts of the foregoing discussions show that modern tithing in the churches have no place in the Bible. They are content to take resort to this last bubble of inquiry about the Antitype of tithes. By the grace of God, even this bubble, like all others before it, will always burst when the smallest needle of truth is thrust into its heart.
When I began to make my personal study on tithing, I lit upon the truth I'm about to share in this piece. At the time the Lord of heaven and earth revealed it to me, I had no idea of the concept of type and Antitype. I give Him the glory for this revelation that is hidden from the wise and prudent, but given unto babes! (Matthew 11:25)
Before we go into it, I'll love to show us that it is not every Old Testament practice that we are shown its specific Antitype in the Bible. It's expected that the most important ones should gain recognition. If this is the case, the less important ones, of which the Lord Jesus Christ enlisted the tithes in Matthew 23:23, would normally have little or no mention. No wonder the New Testament writers spent too little time on the subject, unlike modern preachers. The lighter types could be very easily understood for their individual Antitype by every sincerely seeking heart. Whenever there is a real challenge in comprehending it, we fall back on the word of the Lord Jesus Christ in John 5:39, "Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and *they are they which testify of me*"; whereby we affirm that the Lord Jesus Christ is the Antitype of them all. After all, Col 2:17 says that the body of those things, which are a shadow of things to come is of Christ.
As for the issue of tithing, we thank the Lord that we are not left without witnesses as to the Antitype, whereof this piece has been made necessary. Though we do not find it mentioned in the New Testament, the Old Testament itself made the matter very obvious for the discerning mind.
*Jacob's Vow*
*[[Gen 28:20-22/KJV]]* (v 20) And Jacob vowed a vow, saying, If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on, (v 21) So that I come again to my father's house in peace; then shall the LORD be my God: (v 22) And this stone, which I have set for a pillar, shall be God's house: and of all that thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto thee.
Some think that tithing was a regular practice with Abraham and his descendants, but we have no Bible proof for that. What we have here is a vow by one of his grandchildren to give a tenth of all that God would give him if he was prospered. It was a conditional vow. The tithing would come after the prosperity, not before it as many modern preachers claim. However, we have no record in the Bible that he fulfilled his pledge to God after the blessings. Nevertheless, it was a binding vow that entitled the Lord to a tenth of all he was blessed with. This would surely be demanded from his offsprings through the law that God gave Moses years later.
*The Levites*
*[[Num 3:11-13/KJV]]* (v 11) And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, (v 12) And I, behold, I have taken the Levites from among the children of Israel instead of all the firstborn that openeth the matrix among the children of Israel: therefore the Levites shall be mine; (v 13) Because all the firstborn are mine; for on the day that I smote all the firstborn in the land of Egypt I hallowed unto me all the firstborn in Israel, both man and beast: mine shall they be: I am the LORD.
The day the Lord smote the firstborn sons in Egypt, the firstborn sons of Israel were spared though they were also in Egypt that night. The Lord spared them from the minister of death, yet they were supposed to be dead, but for the lamb that was slain for their sakes. Now that they were spared their life was no more their own but His who spared them. We would readily understand the Antitype of this to be the salvation we gain through the death of the Lamb of God. Every firstborn of Israel thenceforth belonged to God by right. But He chose to replace them with the Levites. They thenceforth took the position of the firstborn sons of Israel before the Lord. They had no portion nor inheritance in their nation and among their brethren because the Lord is their inheritance and they were His belonging (Deuteronomy 18:1-2). This tribe of Levi who represented the firstborn sons whose lives were spared in the Passover are a type of the souls that are now being spared from spiritual death unto eternal life. They have no portion with the world because the Lord is their inheritance.
*[[Deu 14:27-29/KJV]]* (v 27) And the Levite that is within thy gates; thou shalt not forsake him; for he hath no part nor inheritance with thee. (v 28) At the end of three years thou shalt bring forth all the tithe of thine increase the same year, and shalt lay it up within thy gates: (v 29) And the Levite, (because he hath no part nor inheritance with thee,) and the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, which are within thy gates, shall come, and shall eat and be satisfied; that the LORD thy God may bless thee in all the work of thine hand which thou doest.
*The Object of the Tithes, According to Deuteronomy 14*
*[[Deu 14:23]] KJV* And thou shalt eat before the LORD thy God, in the place which he shall choose to place his name there, the tithe of thy corn, of thy wine, and of thine oil, and the firstlings of thy herds and of thy flocks; *that thou mayest learn to fear the LORD thy God always*.
*[[Deu 14:26]] KJV* And thou shalt bestow that money for whatsoever thy soul lusteth after, for oxen, or for sheep, or for wine, or for strong drink, or for whatsoever thy soul desireth: and thou shalt eat there before the LORD thy God, and *thou shalt rejoice, thou, and thine household*,
*[[Deu 14:29]] KJV* And the Levite, (because he hath no part nor inheritance with thee,) and the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, which are within thy gates, shall come, and shall eat and be satisfied; *that the LORD thy God may bless thee in all the work of thine hand which thou doest*.
We see from the above verses the object of tithing. The first, according to Deut 14:23, is to instil the fear of the Lord in the hearts of the sons of Jacob. As they eat the tithes in the temple in the presence of the Lord, they acknowledge that it belonged to the Lord who has permitted them to enjoy it with their household. This is similar to the life we now enjoy in Christ Jesus our Lord, knowing that it is His own, not ours. We live diligently in all holy conversation, reverence and godly fear.
The second object, according to Deut 14:26 is for rejoicing. This is the joy of the Lord in the heart of His consecrated souls.
The third object as in Deut 14:29 is the blessing of the Lord for the faithful. This is what was repeated in Malachi 3:10.
*Purging the Sons of Levi*
*[[Mal 3:1-4/KJV]]* (v 1) Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts. (v 2) But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' soap: (v 3) And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness. (v 4) Then shall the offering of Judah and Jerusalem be pleasant unto the LORD, as in the days of old, and as in former years.
The prophecy above asserts that the Lord Jesus Christ, when He appears and comes into His own temple, shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver to purify the sons of Levi and purge them as gold and silver, so that they may be able to offer an offering in righteousness unto the Lord, an offering pleasant unto Him as in the days of old and as in former years.
This type of offering would not be possible until the Lord of the temple enters into His own to purge and purify them as a royal priesthood (1Peter 2:5,9) to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. Therefore, till this kind of offering would become possible, the prophet Malachi, in the proceeding verses of the third chapter of the holy book that bears his name, reminded the nation of Israel of their unfaithfulness in the Mosaic covenant of tithes and offering.
Conclusion
The tithes which was a tenth part of the increase of crops and animals produced in the Holy Land was concentrated unto God. The number ten mostly stood for a whole. It shows completeness. The Israelites were bound by law to set it apart as holy unto God. They gave it as support for the Levites whose portion was not with them but with God. As the tenth stood for the whole, so it foreshadowed the offering up of the whole body, soul and spirit to the Lord, which are His (1Cor. 6:20). All these things are a shadow of the offering up of the purified sons of Levi (which now includes the Gentiles, Romans 15:16) in the refiner's fire as an offering, nay, a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, as a reasonable service, an offering in righteousness, pleasant unto the Lord, as in the former years and in the days of old (Romans 12:1; Malachi 3:3-4).
Rom 15:16 ... that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost.
Sunday, March 17, 2019
Free indeed!
The Lord has called us out of bondage into freedom. It's a deliverance from the powers that held us bound from pleasing the Father who loves us. This is liberty indeed, so that we can be what we were made to be: like the one who made us!
However, the beggarly elements of slavery are not unrelenting but determined to bring us back into bondage again through various snares all around us meant to entangle us in morbid fear. Fear of death reigns over souls in bondage all the days of their life. It comes in different forms. One of them is the fear of man, which the holy writ describes as a snare. This is the power that rules in many denominations or religions of the world. For this reason, many would want to appear politically correct, even at the expense of displeasing the Father who loves us so much that He gave us His only begotten Son.
But when we choose to love and know the Son rather (that is when we are drawn to Him by the Father) we shall be made free indeed from this bondage of fear. The proof of this love is obedience to His sayings. The Father loves all who wholeheartedly follow His Son. They make Their abode in them who continue in the Truth.
In the early church, Ananias was asked by Peter in Act 5:4 "Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God."
This is a demonstration of the liberty that is in Christ. It's unlike the law of bondage that tells us that 10 percent of the money was not for Ananias. But from Peter's question, we can deduce that this is not the case. All the money belonged to the brother whilst it was yet in his hands. He didn't have to lie about it. It's the fear of man that makes people tell lies about things that ordinarily they shouldn't. The money belongs to you. God is pleased when you acknowledge this. You are at liberty to keep it or part with it, whole or part. If you want to use it for His sake, He would love to do it willingly and cheerfully, not grudging or because it is an obligation you must fulfill. You don't have to lie at all about it in order to please some men. If you are doing it for God, understand that He knows everything about it. So you don't have to impress Him with some drama. Some people would even go to the extent of begging another brother in the congregation for money so that they too can come out to give in the presence of others to avoid the shame of being looked down upon by the carnally minded for not coming out to give money in the church meeting! The Lord understands that you don't have. That money you're begging for belongs to another man. It's his to give to God by himself if he wills. Just be real about your situation and deal with Satan who wants to fill your heart to lie to the Holy Ghost. You have the liberty over him now. You have no need for such fears anymore. The Father loves you first. Yours is to be grateful for His love. Walk with Him. He has called you to bless you, not to enslave you like your former boss, Satan. Rejoice, you're now free!
However, the beggarly elements of slavery are not unrelenting but determined to bring us back into bondage again through various snares all around us meant to entangle us in morbid fear. Fear of death reigns over souls in bondage all the days of their life. It comes in different forms. One of them is the fear of man, which the holy writ describes as a snare. This is the power that rules in many denominations or religions of the world. For this reason, many would want to appear politically correct, even at the expense of displeasing the Father who loves us so much that He gave us His only begotten Son.
But when we choose to love and know the Son rather (that is when we are drawn to Him by the Father) we shall be made free indeed from this bondage of fear. The proof of this love is obedience to His sayings. The Father loves all who wholeheartedly follow His Son. They make Their abode in them who continue in the Truth.
In the early church, Ananias was asked by Peter in Act 5:4 "Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God."
This is a demonstration of the liberty that is in Christ. It's unlike the law of bondage that tells us that 10 percent of the money was not for Ananias. But from Peter's question, we can deduce that this is not the case. All the money belonged to the brother whilst it was yet in his hands. He didn't have to lie about it. It's the fear of man that makes people tell lies about things that ordinarily they shouldn't. The money belongs to you. God is pleased when you acknowledge this. You are at liberty to keep it or part with it, whole or part. If you want to use it for His sake, He would love to do it willingly and cheerfully, not grudging or because it is an obligation you must fulfill. You don't have to lie at all about it in order to please some men. If you are doing it for God, understand that He knows everything about it. So you don't have to impress Him with some drama. Some people would even go to the extent of begging another brother in the congregation for money so that they too can come out to give in the presence of others to avoid the shame of being looked down upon by the carnally minded for not coming out to give money in the church meeting! The Lord understands that you don't have. That money you're begging for belongs to another man. It's his to give to God by himself if he wills. Just be real about your situation and deal with Satan who wants to fill your heart to lie to the Holy Ghost. You have the liberty over him now. You have no need for such fears anymore. The Father loves you first. Yours is to be grateful for His love. Walk with Him. He has called you to bless you, not to enslave you like your former boss, Satan. Rejoice, you're now free!
Friday, March 15, 2019
The Priesthood of Melchizedek
#The_Priesthood_of_Melchizedek
There are many things we think we know very well because of the good impression we have of the person who gave us the teachings. We do not question how they arrived at their understanding of the subjects because we trust their sincerity and inerrancy. However, when we deliberately choose to examine the subject without some preconceived ideas, we get to unravel the truth and are shocked to find out that we have been wrong all the while!
This is one of such subjects. Not a few of us have been taught that the subject of the priesthood of Melchizedek has so much to do with tithing. It's often used as a proof text for the doctrine. However, I desire to do a detailed study of it without any preconceived idea in my mind as to what the writer is saying so that I may get his meaning clearly. Many times when we trying listening to somebody who is talking to us while at the same time guessing what he has in mind, or from what perspectives he's talking from, we often miss his message.
The writer begins the book in the first chapter by showing that Christ is the latest expression of God, who in time past spoke through prophets. This Jesus Christ is declared to be greater than the angels.
In the second chapter, he shows us the consequences of neglecting the voice of Jesus Christ who is higher than the angels whose words were to be obeyed or the law breakers would be punished severely. Let's take note of the pattern of comparison in the book of Hebrews: while the first chapter shows the superiority of Christ over angels or servants who God used in the time past, the second chapter warns about the implications of His superiority over the angels and the consequences of rejecting Him and His great salvation for us.
Chapter three deals with the promised rest in the message of the time past, which those who heard it could not receive because of unbelief and warns that we rather do not fall into the same fault.
In chapter four of Hebrews, the writer continued on the subject of rest of faith, but towards the end of the chapter he talks about the High Priest, Christ, and the throne of grace, which is the resting place in the holy temple, and the resting place from the works of the flesh for all who labor and are heavy laden that come to God through the Lord Jesus Christ.
He builds on the thought of the high priest in chapter 5 and shows that the Lord Jesus Christ did not take the honor upon Himself to be the high priest but that it was the Father that said unto him, "Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee." As He said also in another place, "Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec."
This is how Melchizedek came into the discourse.
Now, we see that this was not a lesson on tithing, but on the superiority of the priesthood of the Lord Jesus Christ over and above that of the sons of Levi, which was the pillar of the Mosaic law that the Hebrew people had reverence for.
Hebrews 5:10 Christ was called of God a High Priest after the order of Melchisedec.
He was not so called because of tithing, but for the reasons, which the writer of Hebrews was burdened to share with the Jewish audience. We find these reasons given in chapter 7. However in the following verses, he speaks about the slowness of understanding of many. This slowness makes it hard to communicate hidden truths. When men's hearts are preoccupied with fleshly things they find it hard to understand spiritual things. For example, this teaching about tithes, the substance of it is what many hearts are not seeking to understand but are content with the shadow, of which they even do not accord regards as faithfully as the Bible reveals.
Hebrews 5:11 Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing.
12 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.
13 For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. note
14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
If you have time, we may look into the 7th chapter of Hebrews more carefully. May the Lord lead us away from every error men read into the gospel when they do not come near it with a right heart.
After talking about the dullness of hearing on the part of those who ought to be teachers but are still babes in understanding, the writer goes on to develop the thought on the danger of remaining stagnant and not moving on to perfection or maturity in chapter 6.
In addition to the issue of not moving on to perfection, the writer warns against falling away, as if there is a connection between remaining babes and falling away. There sure is. An honest heart will receive God's heart and bear fruit that will remain; but a stony or thorny heart will choke the word of God and not allow it have a free course for healthy growth in the spirit.
However, it is a joyful thought for merciful ministers to be persuaded or convinced about better things of his audience, and things that accompany salvation, even though he speaks thus. For we believe that God is able to make you stand. That's our prayer and that's why we labor day and night in the truth.
Hebrew 6:11 And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end:
12 That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
13 For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself,
14 Saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee.
15 And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.
16 For men verily swear by the greater: and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife.
17 Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath: note
18 That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:
19 Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil;
20 Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.
Here we have another mention of Melchizedek. But again, this has nothing to do with tithing. The reason of the mention here is to show that the Lord Jesus Christ is made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek, according to Psalms. It's His endless life the writer is concerned about here not the actual priestly rituals that must be done annually for himself and the people. Whatever concerned sacrifices, the Lord Jesus Christ did it once and for all. So, the ceremonial cleansing, yearly sin offerings, tithing, as well as other Temple rites were not the object of the comparison of the Priesthood of Christ and the others.
In chapter 7, the writer begins to give details about this Melchizedek.
Melchizedek is the subject here in connection to his similarities with the Priesthood of Christ, and not about payment of tithes. The tithes is only mentioned in verse two as a direct object of Abraham's subservience to the Priesthood of Melchizedek, and, by extension, that of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Hebrews 7:1 For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him;
2 To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace;
3 Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually. note
4 Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils.
For this Melchizedek...
It's about Melchizedek, not tithes!
To whom also...
Abraham gave him a tenth part of all the spoils.
But the writer of Hebrews was not as concerned about the tithes as he was with the person of Melchizedek. If we understand this we'll not make the mistake that the Babylonian prophets are making with this chapter.
One thing we should also take note is that the writer did not say that Melchizedek is Christ, but that he was made like unto the Son of God; that is a type. It's important for us not to drag it beyond that so that we don't build a doctrine we are not hundred percent sure about. We don't have to know everything now. We shall know all things at the right time God wants us to know them. But for now let us be content with the much He reveals to us.
Hebrews 7:4 Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils.
5 And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though they come out of the loins of Abraham:
6 But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises. note
7 And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better.
This is the main point of the discourse about Melchizedek.
Consider how great this man was (was, not is)!
Now we see why the tithes was mentioned:
"Now consider how great this man was, *unto whom even the patriarch (the greatest leader of the Jewish nation) Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils*" (Hebrews 7:4).
This is why the tithes was mentioned, to show how greater Melchizedek was than Abraham.
Now a comparison begins between the Levitical priesthood and that of Melchizedek, after whose order the Lord Jesus Christ is made an High Priest for ever:
Under the Levitical priesthood, only the sons of Levi have authority to take tithes of their own people (the Jews, not Gentiles) according to the law; therefore only sons of Levi had right to be priests and high priests according to the law. But Melchizedek was not a son of Levi and he was a priest. Not only was he a priest, he took tithes of Abraham, the great grandfather of Levi, decades ever before the birth of Levi, and blessed him; showing himself greater.
This was the purpose of the mention of tithes in the book of Hebrews, not to show that it is to be continued in the church of God. Those who teach so are false teachers, wresting the Scriptures to teach what is not approved.
He still continues the thought on who is greater in the following verses, using the occasion of Abraham's payment of tithes as evidence:
8 And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth.
(Here it is shown that the Levitical priests who received tithes were mortal and did die, unlike the immortal Priesthood in the order of Melchizedek that received the tithes from Abraham. It does not say here that either Melchizedek or Christ is still receiving tithes from men #here, but says: #there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth. #There refers to the account in Salem where Abram gave tithes of all the spoils. "He", being of whom it is witnessed that he liveth, that is, Melchizedek; he receiveth "them", that is, the tithes.)
9 And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham.
10 For he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchisedec met him.
He compares the two priesthoods by the mortality of the Levitical priests and the perceived immortality of Melchizedek, because it was not recorded that he died.
Again, another evidence that Melchizedek's priesthood is greater than that of the sons of Levi, according to the writer of Hebrews, is that Levi paid tithes, as it were, to Melchizedek, through their patriarch, Abraham. This is only a figure of speech to show the superiority over the levitical priesthood and to discourage the Jewish converts from returning to what they had left. It's wrong when false teachers twist these holy words to mean that we should be paying tithes to Melchizedek. This is not the matter in any part of this discourse at all. But the dull in hearing will yet not understand this!
Now we see a new argument in the following verses:
11 If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron?
12 For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law.
Now, this is still not about tithing for Christians as the enemies of truth want us to believe.
You see, it's all about perfection!
From verse 11, we can deduce that perfection is not of the Levitical priesthood, under which the people received the law.
It was because the Levitical priesthood was not perfect nor could make anyone perfect that there became a *further need* for another Priesthood after the order of Melchizedek, and not after the order of Aaron the Levite.
Is this understanding not simple and clear enough?
May God have mercy on the evil minds that make God's word of no effect by their false interpretation and subversion so that they may have genuine repentance from their wicked ways. Many people who read this chapter think falsely they have a proof text in support of tithing whereas it is very far from it!
Now, in all you do, don't you ever miss Hebrews 7:12!
12 For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law.
Why do you still think you have to follow the law of tithing when it is shown clearly here that *there is made of necessity a change of the law*?
In case you're not sure, it is repeated in the 18th verse:
(18) "For *there is verily a disannulling of the commandment* going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof."
That's why we do find it not in the New Testament, whenever the apostles set out to teach the church about giving. We now have a better way to give as the apostles have taught us, being thus commanded of the Lord Jesus Christ.
The purpose the Lord Jesus Christ was made a High Priest in the order of Melchizedek, is not for collection of tithes from people but to make intercession for all them who come to God by Him, saving them to the uttermost (Hebrews 7:25). Will you now come to Him who is willing to make intercession for you free of charge. You don't need to give Him tithes to have you saved to the uttermost from every weight and sin that easily besets you. May the Lord help all of us to approach His throne of mercy with a true heart full of assurance. Amen.
There are many things we think we know very well because of the good impression we have of the person who gave us the teachings. We do not question how they arrived at their understanding of the subjects because we trust their sincerity and inerrancy. However, when we deliberately choose to examine the subject without some preconceived ideas, we get to unravel the truth and are shocked to find out that we have been wrong all the while!
This is one of such subjects. Not a few of us have been taught that the subject of the priesthood of Melchizedek has so much to do with tithing. It's often used as a proof text for the doctrine. However, I desire to do a detailed study of it without any preconceived idea in my mind as to what the writer is saying so that I may get his meaning clearly. Many times when we trying listening to somebody who is talking to us while at the same time guessing what he has in mind, or from what perspectives he's talking from, we often miss his message.
The writer begins the book in the first chapter by showing that Christ is the latest expression of God, who in time past spoke through prophets. This Jesus Christ is declared to be greater than the angels.
In the second chapter, he shows us the consequences of neglecting the voice of Jesus Christ who is higher than the angels whose words were to be obeyed or the law breakers would be punished severely. Let's take note of the pattern of comparison in the book of Hebrews: while the first chapter shows the superiority of Christ over angels or servants who God used in the time past, the second chapter warns about the implications of His superiority over the angels and the consequences of rejecting Him and His great salvation for us.
Chapter three deals with the promised rest in the message of the time past, which those who heard it could not receive because of unbelief and warns that we rather do not fall into the same fault.
In chapter four of Hebrews, the writer continued on the subject of rest of faith, but towards the end of the chapter he talks about the High Priest, Christ, and the throne of grace, which is the resting place in the holy temple, and the resting place from the works of the flesh for all who labor and are heavy laden that come to God through the Lord Jesus Christ.
He builds on the thought of the high priest in chapter 5 and shows that the Lord Jesus Christ did not take the honor upon Himself to be the high priest but that it was the Father that said unto him, "Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee." As He said also in another place, "Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec."
This is how Melchizedek came into the discourse.
Now, we see that this was not a lesson on tithing, but on the superiority of the priesthood of the Lord Jesus Christ over and above that of the sons of Levi, which was the pillar of the Mosaic law that the Hebrew people had reverence for.
Hebrews 5:10 Christ was called of God a High Priest after the order of Melchisedec.
He was not so called because of tithing, but for the reasons, which the writer of Hebrews was burdened to share with the Jewish audience. We find these reasons given in chapter 7. However in the following verses, he speaks about the slowness of understanding of many. This slowness makes it hard to communicate hidden truths. When men's hearts are preoccupied with fleshly things they find it hard to understand spiritual things. For example, this teaching about tithes, the substance of it is what many hearts are not seeking to understand but are content with the shadow, of which they even do not accord regards as faithfully as the Bible reveals.
Hebrews 5:11 Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing.
12 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.
13 For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. note
14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
If you have time, we may look into the 7th chapter of Hebrews more carefully. May the Lord lead us away from every error men read into the gospel when they do not come near it with a right heart.
After talking about the dullness of hearing on the part of those who ought to be teachers but are still babes in understanding, the writer goes on to develop the thought on the danger of remaining stagnant and not moving on to perfection or maturity in chapter 6.
In addition to the issue of not moving on to perfection, the writer warns against falling away, as if there is a connection between remaining babes and falling away. There sure is. An honest heart will receive God's heart and bear fruit that will remain; but a stony or thorny heart will choke the word of God and not allow it have a free course for healthy growth in the spirit.
However, it is a joyful thought for merciful ministers to be persuaded or convinced about better things of his audience, and things that accompany salvation, even though he speaks thus. For we believe that God is able to make you stand. That's our prayer and that's why we labor day and night in the truth.
Hebrew 6:11 And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end:
12 That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
13 For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself,
14 Saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee.
15 And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.
16 For men verily swear by the greater: and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife.
17 Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath: note
18 That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:
19 Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil;
20 Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.
Here we have another mention of Melchizedek. But again, this has nothing to do with tithing. The reason of the mention here is to show that the Lord Jesus Christ is made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek, according to Psalms. It's His endless life the writer is concerned about here not the actual priestly rituals that must be done annually for himself and the people. Whatever concerned sacrifices, the Lord Jesus Christ did it once and for all. So, the ceremonial cleansing, yearly sin offerings, tithing, as well as other Temple rites were not the object of the comparison of the Priesthood of Christ and the others.
In chapter 7, the writer begins to give details about this Melchizedek.
Melchizedek is the subject here in connection to his similarities with the Priesthood of Christ, and not about payment of tithes. The tithes is only mentioned in verse two as a direct object of Abraham's subservience to the Priesthood of Melchizedek, and, by extension, that of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Hebrews 7:1 For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him;
2 To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace;
3 Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually. note
4 Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils.
For this Melchizedek...
It's about Melchizedek, not tithes!
To whom also...
Abraham gave him a tenth part of all the spoils.
But the writer of Hebrews was not as concerned about the tithes as he was with the person of Melchizedek. If we understand this we'll not make the mistake that the Babylonian prophets are making with this chapter.
One thing we should also take note is that the writer did not say that Melchizedek is Christ, but that he was made like unto the Son of God; that is a type. It's important for us not to drag it beyond that so that we don't build a doctrine we are not hundred percent sure about. We don't have to know everything now. We shall know all things at the right time God wants us to know them. But for now let us be content with the much He reveals to us.
Hebrews 7:4 Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils.
5 And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though they come out of the loins of Abraham:
6 But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises. note
7 And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better.
This is the main point of the discourse about Melchizedek.
Consider how great this man was (was, not is)!
Now we see why the tithes was mentioned:
"Now consider how great this man was, *unto whom even the patriarch (the greatest leader of the Jewish nation) Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils*" (Hebrews 7:4).
This is why the tithes was mentioned, to show how greater Melchizedek was than Abraham.
Now a comparison begins between the Levitical priesthood and that of Melchizedek, after whose order the Lord Jesus Christ is made an High Priest for ever:
Under the Levitical priesthood, only the sons of Levi have authority to take tithes of their own people (the Jews, not Gentiles) according to the law; therefore only sons of Levi had right to be priests and high priests according to the law. But Melchizedek was not a son of Levi and he was a priest. Not only was he a priest, he took tithes of Abraham, the great grandfather of Levi, decades ever before the birth of Levi, and blessed him; showing himself greater.
This was the purpose of the mention of tithes in the book of Hebrews, not to show that it is to be continued in the church of God. Those who teach so are false teachers, wresting the Scriptures to teach what is not approved.
He still continues the thought on who is greater in the following verses, using the occasion of Abraham's payment of tithes as evidence:
8 And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth.
(Here it is shown that the Levitical priests who received tithes were mortal and did die, unlike the immortal Priesthood in the order of Melchizedek that received the tithes from Abraham. It does not say here that either Melchizedek or Christ is still receiving tithes from men #here, but says: #there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth. #There refers to the account in Salem where Abram gave tithes of all the spoils. "He", being of whom it is witnessed that he liveth, that is, Melchizedek; he receiveth "them", that is, the tithes.)
9 And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham.
10 For he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchisedec met him.
He compares the two priesthoods by the mortality of the Levitical priests and the perceived immortality of Melchizedek, because it was not recorded that he died.
Again, another evidence that Melchizedek's priesthood is greater than that of the sons of Levi, according to the writer of Hebrews, is that Levi paid tithes, as it were, to Melchizedek, through their patriarch, Abraham. This is only a figure of speech to show the superiority over the levitical priesthood and to discourage the Jewish converts from returning to what they had left. It's wrong when false teachers twist these holy words to mean that we should be paying tithes to Melchizedek. This is not the matter in any part of this discourse at all. But the dull in hearing will yet not understand this!
Now we see a new argument in the following verses:
11 If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron?
12 For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law.
Now, this is still not about tithing for Christians as the enemies of truth want us to believe.
You see, it's all about perfection!
From verse 11, we can deduce that perfection is not of the Levitical priesthood, under which the people received the law.
It was because the Levitical priesthood was not perfect nor could make anyone perfect that there became a *further need* for another Priesthood after the order of Melchizedek, and not after the order of Aaron the Levite.
Is this understanding not simple and clear enough?
May God have mercy on the evil minds that make God's word of no effect by their false interpretation and subversion so that they may have genuine repentance from their wicked ways. Many people who read this chapter think falsely they have a proof text in support of tithing whereas it is very far from it!
Now, in all you do, don't you ever miss Hebrews 7:12!
12 For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law.
Why do you still think you have to follow the law of tithing when it is shown clearly here that *there is made of necessity a change of the law*?
In case you're not sure, it is repeated in the 18th verse:
(18) "For *there is verily a disannulling of the commandment* going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof."
That's why we do find it not in the New Testament, whenever the apostles set out to teach the church about giving. We now have a better way to give as the apostles have taught us, being thus commanded of the Lord Jesus Christ.
The purpose the Lord Jesus Christ was made a High Priest in the order of Melchizedek, is not for collection of tithes from people but to make intercession for all them who come to God by Him, saving them to the uttermost (Hebrews 7:25). Will you now come to Him who is willing to make intercession for you free of charge. You don't need to give Him tithes to have you saved to the uttermost from every weight and sin that easily besets you. May the Lord help all of us to approach His throne of mercy with a true heart full of assurance. Amen.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)