Peace Run Like A River
© 2001 Mekizedek's Treasure
Artist: Harp and vocal Jane Snyder
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A Comparison of Melchizedek and
Jesus Christ as to Tithes:
TITHES – Melchizedek
This principle of giving back to God so permeates the kingdom of God that it is first represented in Abram's (meaning exalted father) encounter with Melchizedek. Abram returned from war with great spoil, and after Melchizedek blessed Abram, he gave Melchizedek, tithes of the spoil . It is interesting to note that after tithing, he (Abram) returned all of the people and possessions (the spoil) to the king of Sodom; saying that he did not want it to be said that the king of Sodom had made Abram rich. Perhaps he knew that the blessing was preferable to spoil, especially the spoil of the city of perversion. After the return of the spoil, the word of the Lord came to Abram with a promise of an heir, innumerable descendants, and inheritance of land.
Jacob, Abraham's grandson was the next person to give God 10%. It was part of a vow after he had the ladder vision. You can read about it in Gen.28:22. One thing that I noticed about Abram and Jacob is that each gave or promised the tithe at the place where they were blessed by God. God later established the Levitical priesthood based upon the principle of the tithe. Actually the whole economy of Israel was based upon the tithe.
Let's look at the principle of giving to God as shown in many areas of scripture.
1) Creation:
Genesis 2:1-3 shows us that the rhythm of God, in creative work, has rest.
"Thus the heavens and the earth, and all the host of them, were finished. And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done. Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His work which God had created and made.
Here we see that God sanctified a time portion of rest for Himself.
2) The Law:
Given by God to Moses, Leviticus 27:30 establishes the tithe of the land. Numbers 18:21 God ordains tithes of the tithes of Israel (heave offering) to go to the Levites (priests). Deuteronomy 14:29 shows inclusion of the stranger, fatherless and widow to eat from the priest's tithes, with a promise of blessing.
3. First born:
Of man and beast are reserved for God Himself.
Exodus 13:2,12-16, 22:,29:30,34:19,20
In fulfillment of this, Jesus Christ was Himself designated by the Father as the first begotten, Hebrews 1: 5,6; Revelation 1:5,6; I Corinthians 15:20.
The term, first begotten in Greek is "prototokos" meaning — first born, taken from "protos" meaning foremost (in time, place, order or importance).
Colossians 1: 13-19 gives the best picture of his preeminence as the first begotten.
Romans 8:29 shows us that He (Jesus) is the first born of many brethren.
(Romans 8:29 NKJV) For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.
I personally believe that "many brethren" refers to a tithe of the peoples of the earth. These would be those who voluntarily submit to being conformed into the image of Christ. (Those found written in the Book of Life, Revelations 20:15).
(Hebrews 1:5-6) For to which of the angels did He ever say: "You are My Son, Today I have begotten You"? And again: "I will be to Him a Father, And He shall be to Me a Son"? {6} But when He again brings the firstborn into the world, He says: "Let all the angels of God worship Him."
(Revelation 1:5-6 NKJV) and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth. To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, {6} and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
(Colossians 1:13-19 NKJV) He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, {14} in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins. {15} He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. {16} For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. {17} And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. {18} And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence. {19} For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell,
4. First Fruits:
Are another aspect of this principle.
In the Law of Moses the first of the grain, oil, wine, fruit, and fleece were to be offered to the Lord. They had to be free from blemish and offered at the tabernacle. They were given as a wave offering, a heave offering and a thank offering.
Concerning the 12 Tribes one tribe was taken to serve God in service at the tabernacle/temple The Levites were the family (tribe) of priests.
In the New Testament, on the day of First Fruits, exactly 50 days after Passover, which was part of the feast of weeks or harvest, the Holy Spirit fell upon the disciples of Jesus with rushing wind and tongues of fire and utterances in unknown tongues. This is considered the beginning of the Christian church. (Acts 2:1-4)
(1 Corinthians 15:20 NKJV) But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.
I believe that we have more than established that Christ fulfilled the firstborn/firstfruit principle.
First there is the type —— as shown in the Law
Then there is the fulfillment—– as shown in Jesus Christ
Then there is the entering in for us who desire it.
Concerning the tithe, it was a foundation type that expressed the principle of giving back to God. Whether it was in being blessed or in making vows.
The fulfillment would be that we give our very lives to God as Jesus gave His for the world. As regarding money, it is now a heart issue, as all that the New Testament has to say on the matter is to give:
1. without pretentious or excessive display Mt 6:1-4,
2. regularly 1Cor 16:2
3. liberally 2Cor 9:6-15
4. cheerfully 2Cor 8:11,12 9:7
If your eyes, ears and heart have been opened to see Jesus Christ as The Lord, you need to make a personal commitment to HIM who is all in all!
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