JESUS Christ’s High Priesthood after the order of Melchisedec Heb. 7:1-10, FAR MORE EXCELLENT THAN Aaron’S PRIESTHOOD, 11-28.
“The first time Melchizedek is brought before us on the pages of Holy Writ is in Gen. 14. At that time all the world had fallen into the grossest of idolatry and the most awful immorality: Romans 1:19–31. Even the progenitors of Abraham worshipped false gods: Joshua 24:2. Yet, in the very midst of these people who were sinners above others, God was pleased to raise up a man who was an illustrious type of Christ! A signal instance was this of the absolute sovereignty of God. He can raise up instruments for His service and unto His glory, when, where, and as it pleases Him. He can raise up the greatest light in the midst of the greatest darkness: Matthew 4:16.” Pink Arthur W. “To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all” (v. 2). Melchizedek’s “blessing” of Abraham was the exercise of his priesthood; Abraham’s paying him tithes was the recognition of it. Abraham had just obtained a most memorable victory over the kings of Canaan, and now in his making an offering to Melchizedek, he acknowledged that it was God who had given him the victory and owned that Melchizedek was His servant. Let us take note of these points: (1) And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine to Abram. (2) Hethe priest of the most high God blessed him (Abram), and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth: And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand, (3) And he (Abram) gave him tithes of all. All the goods (not money). Gen. 14:18-20 (4) “And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better. …but (5) there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth” Heb. 7:7-8. (6) Giving here was spiritual-2Cor. 8:5, sacrificial. 2Cor. 8:1-3, Phil. 4:18, spontaneous, done honestly. 2Cor. 8:10-11; 9:2, willingly-2Cor. 8:12-15, 1Chr. 29:9 liberally and cheerfully. Pr.11:24-26. (7) His descendants were not under any obligation to be doing it. (8) Isaac the direct seed of Abram did not pay tithe to anyone. (9) Jacob in Gen. 28:22 promised to give God a tenth of all that God will give him(not money), if he God can let him returned safely. (10) In Gen. 35:1-16 when he returned did not remember to pay a tenth and God did not remind him. He rather reminded him to build an alter the second promise he made at ‘Luz’ or Bethel. There was no biblical record that he ever paid any tithe.
The Law was given to the Israelites (not for other nations) as a testament to be used in the land of Cannan Ex. 34:27, Lev. 26:46; 27:34. We should take note of the following points. (1) The Israelites (not other nations) should give a tenth of all goods (not money). See the following bible references. Lev. 27:30-34, Num. 18:2`-28; 28:1-31; 29:1-15, Deut. 12:11; 14:22-29; 26:12-13, 2Chro. 31:5, Neh. 10:28-39; 12:44, Mal. 3:8-10. (2) They were commanded to build a store house as part of the place of worship to keep the goods (not money). (3) Anyone who refuses to pay a tenth of all the goods is under a curse. Deut. 27:26, Mal. 3:8-9, Neh. 10:28-29,37-38, Gal. 3:10. (4) Num. 18:21-28; 28:1-31; 29:1-15 shows that tithes are “heave offerings” which are types of Christs as heave offering to God. Eph. 5:2, Jn. 12:31; 3:14-16, Heb. 10:5-18. (5) The Priesthood has been changed and the law has been abolished. Heb. 7:11-19; 9:8-17. Christ is the end of the Law. Heb. 10:1-4, Gal. 3:13; 5:4.
However, Christians like Abram who gave spontaneously, willingly and honestly, are to do likewise. There is no surer evidence that the risen, living Lord dwells in man’s heart than an eager desire to be a faithful steward of goods including money. The acid test of Christian discipleship is giving. Scanty, restricted, restrained giving hurts the individual and hampers the kingdom of God. Paul urges bounteous, generous and liberal giving. 2Cor. 9:6-7.
