Title: Two Perspectives on Tithe and Rank
4 Now observe how great this man was to whom Abraham, the patriarch, gave a tenth of the choicest spoils.
5 And those indeed of the sons of Levi who receive the priest’s office have a commandment in the Law to collect a tenth from the people, that is, from their countrymen, although they are descended from Abraham.
6 But the one whose genealogy is not traced from them collected a tenth from Abraham and blessed the one who had the promises.
7 But without any dispute the lesser person is blessed by the greater.
8 In this case mortal men receive tithes, but in that case one receives them, of whom it is witnessed that he lives on.
9 And, so to speak, through Abraham even Levi, who received tithes, has paid tithes,
10 for he was still in the loins of his forefather when Melchizedek met him.
Matthew Henry
From Abraham’s paying the tenth of the spoils unto him; and it is well observed that Levi paid tithes to Melchisedec in Abraham, v. 9. Now Levi received the office of the priesthood from God, and was to take tithes of the people, yet even Levi paid tithes to Melchisedec, as to a greater and higher priest than himself; therefore that high priest who should afterwards appear, of whom Melchisedec was a type, must be much superior to any of the Levitical priests, who paid tithes, in Abraham, to Melchisedec. And now by this argument of persons doing things that are matters of right or injury in the loins of their predecessors we have an illustration how we may be said to have sinned in Adam, and fallen with him in his first transgression. We were in Adam’s loins when he sinned, and the guilt and depravity contracted by the human nature when it was in our first parents are equitably imputed and derived to the same nature as it is in all other persons naturally descended from them.
They justly adhere to the nature, and it must be by an act of grace if ever they be taken away.
PB Translation:
- The author of Hebrews demonstrates that Levi (The Priest of the Levitical Line established later by Moses) paid tithes (tribute) to Melchizedek through the historical genealogy of Abram.
- Therefore, there was something GREATER about Melchizedek. He was a forerunner to Jesus in the sense that Jesus would eventually become the greatest “tithe” offered to God, and we, as Jesus’ followers “pay” Jesus back with our lives. (Love, faith and devotion)
- Just as we are guilty through Adam, so is Melchizedek honored through Abram representing Levi to come. God transcends all of these generations and sets square all debts through His son.
Application:
Abram and Levi and not just DEVOTED to Melchizedek, but also DEPENDENT upon him.
It is the same with us and Jesus.
Question: What aspect of your life do you feel is NOT entirely devoted to Christ, and what is your plan for repentance? What are areas where you can grow in your devotion to Jesus?
In other words, if you are being honest with yourself, do you trust yourself more than Christ in areas like these:
1. Finances
2. Sanctification
3. Wisdom
4. Relationships
5. Revenge/Justice
Guzik:
Abraham gave a tenth of the spoils… the sons of Levi… have a commandment to receive tithes from the people according to the law: The priesthood of Levi received tithes from Israel as a commandment. Abraham voluntarily gave tithes to Melchizedek. This makes Abraham’s giving to Melchizedek greater than Israel’s payment of tithes to the priesthood instituted by Moses.
A tenth of the spoils: Spoils is literally the top of the heap, referring to the choicest spoils of war. When Abraham tithed to Melchizedek he literally “took it off the top.”
Even Levi, who receives tithes, paid tithes through Abraham, so to speak, for he was still in the loins of his father when Melchizedek met him: Because the whole tribe of Levi was genetically in the loins of Abraham when he did this, we see the Old Testament priesthood paying tithes to the priesthood of Melchizedek. This shows Melchizedek is in a position of authority over Abraham and his descendant Levi.
The phrase, “so to speak” in Hebrews 7:9 is important. The writer to the Hebrews knows he is making an allegorical point, so he doesn’t want to be taken too literally.
PB Translation and Application.
- Giving out of desire (voluntary) means more than giving out of command (obedience). When you give to God (money or service) what motivates you to do so. Remember, even your motivations are up for review. (Heb. 4:13)
- Abraham gave the first fruits (the best of the best) as the offering. (Ben and his friend who needed to borrow the car to go to Philly).
- When studying the Bible, hermeneutics is incredibly important. Authors use allegories, illustrations, and even exaggeration to make a point. (Jesus saying “If your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off”)
Pray/QA