Hebrews 7:4-6 Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils. 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: But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises. 

‘Though they come out of the loins of Abraham.’ This proves that even children of Abraham were supposed to pay tithes. If they were obligated to pay tithes, so were the Gentiles, including Christians.

‘From them’ – He reckoned no genealogy from them, from the genealogies of the priests (7:5). This was considered essential for a priest by the Jews. On the other hand, since they recognized Melchizedek as a true priest of God and greater than Abraham, they had to recognize that genealogy was not the essential thing for a priest and that on these grounds Jesus Christ could be a priest after the order of Melchizedek to fulfil Psalms 110:1-7.

‘Received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises.’ This proves that the Melchizedek priesthood had a commandment to take tithes of Abraham, as the Levites were commanded to take tithes of all Israel (7:5-6). If Abraham paid tithes to Melchizedek, his natural and spiritual seed should continue to pay tithes to this priesthood since it now replaced the Aaronic priesthood (7:9-21). Is the first priest of this order the only one to receive tithes? Should God require tithing under this priesthood at first and then discontinue it when Christ became a priest after this order? Does grace lessen the obligation of man or increase it? Has this priesthood come to a self-supporting place, where it needs nothing from those under its benefits? Was it right that Abraham paid tithes to this priesthood and for Melchizedek to receive them for his support? If it was right then, could it be wrong now to continue this same program? Should a mere typical priesthood be supported and not the eternal priesthood itself?

Hebrews 7:4-6 Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils. 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: But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises. 

‘Tenth of the spoils’ –  The doctrine of tithing is clear in Scripture (continues): [2] Paul taught it: (1) Condemned sacrilege (Rom. 2:22), or robbing temples (Mal. 3:8-10) and using holy things (Lev. 27:1-34). (2) Teachers to be paid (Gal. 6:6). (3) God ordained the support of ministers to spread the gospel (1Cor. 9:7-14; 1Tim. 6:17-18). (4) Christians to give as God prospers them (1Cor. 16:2). (5) Melchisedec priesthood is eternal and must be supported by the children of Abraham (Heb. 6:20; 7:1-11, 17, 21). (6) Children of Abraham in faith must walk in his steps (Rom. 4:12; Heb. 7:1-28). (7) Tithing is proof of obedience and appreciation of God’s blessings (Rom. 4:12; Heb. 7:6-10; 1Cor. 9:7-14; 1Tim. 6:17-18; cp. Mal. 3:8-10; Pro. 3:9-10; Gen. 14:20; Deut. 8:10-20).

Blessings of tithing: Blessings for obedience. God’s house will not lack (Mal. 3:10). God’s ministers will not lack (1Cor. 9:7-14; 1Tim. 5:17-18; Neh. 13:10; Mal. 3:8-10). Material and spiritual blessings (Mal. 3:8-10; Pro. 3:9-10; 2Chron. 31:1-21; Neh. 13:1-31).

Examples of paying tithes: Abraham (Gen. 14:20; Heb. 7:1-11); Jacob (Gen. 28:22); Levi in Abraham (Heb. 7:9); Hezekiah and Israel (2Chron. 31:1-21); Nehemiah and Israel (Neh. 13:1-31); Hypocrites (Matt. 23:23; Luke 11:42; 18:12); Christians (1Cor. 9:7-14; 16:2; 2Cor. 7:11; 8:1-15; Gal. 6:6; 1Tim. 5:17-18; Heb. 7:1-28).

No scripture even mentions a substitute program for tithing in the New Testament.

To be continued…

Hebrews 7:4-6 Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils. 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: But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises. 

‘Man was’ – He was a man and even greater than Abraham, the source of the Jewish race. There remains no mystery about him given the facts here. Because he had no recorded father, mother, etc. does not make him a man of mystery or a divine person as many have thought. Christ is better than Melchizedek: [1] Christ will be the future eternal king of Jerusalem (Ezek. 43:7; 48:35; Zech. 14:1-21; Rev. 20:1-15); Melchizedek was the past temporary king (7:1). [2] Christ is an eternal priest (Heb. 6:20; 7:17); Melchizedek was temporary (7:1). [3] Christ is God (Heb. 1:8; John 1:1-2, 14); Melchizedek was a man (7:4). [4] Christ is the eternal King of Righteousness (Jer. 23:6); Melchizedek was temporary (7:2). [5] Christ is the eternal King of Peace (Isa. 9:6); Melchizedek was temporary (7:2). [6] Christ is an eternal being (Heb. 1:8; John 1:1-2; Mic. 5:2; Isa. 9:6); Melchizedek was not (7:3, 6). [7] Christ as an eternal being has no father, mother, beginning of days, or end of life (Mic. 5:2); Melchizedek had all these but they were not recorded (7:3, 6). [8] Christ was the antitype; Melchizedek the type of an eternal priesthood (Heb. 6:20; 7:17).

‘Patriarch’ [Greek: patriarches] father or chief of a family or tribe (7:4; Acts 2:29; 7:8-9).

‘Tenth of the spoils’ –  The doctrine of tithing is clear in Scripture: Tithing was practised 430 years before the Law of Moses (Gen. 14:20; 28:22; Heb. 7:1-11). Tithing was practised under the Law of Moses (Lev. 27:30; Mal. 3:10). Tithing was practised in the New Testament: [1] Christ taught it (Matt. 23:23; Luke 11:42; cp. Matt. 5:20 with Luke 18:11-12; see Matt. 10:10; Luke 10:7-8). This was teaching for the kingdom of heaven (Matt. 11:11-14; Luke 16:16).

To be continued…