Hebrews Chapter Seven, Abraham's Tithe

 

Hebrews 7:4 Now consider how great this man was, to whom even the patriarch Abraham gave a tenth of the spoils. [5] And indeed those who are of the sons of Levi, who receive the priesthood, have a commandment to receive tithes from the people according to the law, that is, from their brethren, though they have come from the loins of Abraham;

 

How great this man was is not contested. Abraham, inheritor of God’s blessing and promises, tithed to Melchizedek and the high priest in turn uttered a benediction. Abram gave him a tenth (or tithe) of all; clearly an act of acknowledgement: not only that the patriarch knew of Melchizedek, but also knew his esteemed position as God’s high priest and honored that with a tithe, or tenth, a number that seems to accompany matters of divine government. Most famously this is showcased in the Ten Commandments or the ten plagues upon Egypt’s gods.

The writer begins to create an argument about the tithe and its nature, and how the tithe is given to the priest in acknowledgement of his office and the God he serves. One might say that the tithe was a tax of sorts, taken by the ecclesiastical institution to provide for the men that served at the altar. The tithe was so intrinsically linked to God’s worship in the Jewish mind we read in Malachi that to withhold the tithe from the priesthood was tantamount to robbing God, Malachi 3:8-10. This makes perfect sense. God’s name is upon His people, and an insult or injury to them is one made to Him as well. We read in Acts, “Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples…as he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” Acts 9:1, 3, 4 NIV.

 

Of the Jews He says, “For thus said the Lord of hosts: “He sent Me after glory, to the nations which plunder you; for he who touches you touches the apple of His eye,” Zechariah 2:8. God is jealous for His people, for they bear His name and it is His duty and responsibility to fulfill the covenant He made with them, because He is faithful, Isaiah 49:7, 1 Corinthians 1:9, 10:13. The author goes on to address the unassailable fact that the priesthood on earth was Levi’s, and his brethren the tribes of Israel owed him tithes as commanded through the Law. Though Levi and his fellow Jews stood on equal footing in regard to their mutual heritage, God appointed Levi for the office of ministry, and as such God gave the tribe their portion from the altar. While other tribes during the days of Joshua received land and cities, Levi was claimed by the Lord to conduct the tabernacle and serve in it. He elected them to this service, sanctifying or separating them to the ministry in very much the same way that Levi would sanctify or set apart the holy vessels for use in the tabernacle, and not for any common or profane usage.

 

Positionally, Levi was given a great honor and responsibility taking care of the Lord’s things. Because they obeyed the voice of Moses, acting in faith even against their own brethren at Horeb, God honored them and chose them for Himself, Exodus 32:27-29. In much the same way Christ was elected High Priest forever by the offering of Himself once for all for the sins of mankind; an honor God the Father bestowed upon Him for what He has done for us. It may be noteworthy to mention the difference suggested between Levi and Melchizedek. The Law was the rule of Israel, and the tithe was a mandate created by God in the nation for the welfare of the tribe of Levi. It was implemented so Levi could minster day and night at the altar and officiate without having to abandon their temple duties. Nehemiah found the temple in such a state upon his return from serving Artaxerxes and immediately set about reparation, Nehemiah 13:10-12. The tithe was not a matter of personal faith for Israel or Judah; it was a matter of ratified commandment given by Yahweh through Moses to be obeyed until the time of restoration of all things. When Christ came, His sacrifice did away with the need for further sacrifice, but until He came they were to keep every jot and tittle of the Law.

 

But what of Melchizedek? No injunction is mentioned in Genesis, and his appearance in Abraham’s narrative is fleeting. We have no record of anything that the patriarch said in response to the high priest’s benediction; rather, he obediently surrendered the tithe to honor the man who officiated at the altar of God Most High. Was this a commandment by Law? No, we are told there was no such oratory given to mankind from Adam to Moses. “For sin indeed was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not counted where there is no law. Yet death reigned from Adam to Moses,” Romans 5:13, 14, ESV. The Law was not the driving principle behind Abraham’s actions then, “For the law was given through Moses,” John 1:17, ESV. Therefore Abram did not give a tithe to Melchizedek because he was commanded to. Instead, he freely offered it because he acknowledged the superiority of the one that had come out of Salem to bless him, Hebrews 7:7.