*WISDOM FOR TODAY.*
*TITHES AND OFFERING (5)*
*Scripture Treasure.*
Hebrew 7:1-3 *For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him;*
*To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace;*
*Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually.*
*Insight and Highlight.*
As firstfruit was in Jesus, so was tithe.
*Scripture Commentaries.*
Hebrew 7 presents to us Melchizedec. a king of Salem and priest of the most high God.
Besides, Enoch and Elijah, a biblical figure that is said to never have died, was Melchizedec, priest-king of Salem.
He is first mentioned in Genesis 14:18–20. There he brings out bread and wine and then he blessed saying *"Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth:*
*And blessed be the most high God,....'* (the El Elyon).
Paul says Melchizedek *...was made like unto the Son of God;* This tells us that as he received tithes, so will the Son of God receive tithes.
Let us further look at how Jesus, as a receiver of tithes, was in the order of Melchizedec.
First, the greatness of Melchizedec was not just because he was a *....King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace;..*
His greatness was his record as one who was *Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually.*
This is an intimate comparison with Christ and forms the distinct prototype of Him.
This illustration projects that Christ was in Melchizedec and will receive tithes according to his order.
The illustration that Melchizedec had no father and mother and no descent is used to illustrate that he had no biological father or mother and no genealogy according to this biological order.
This illustration involves something more than human about the historical Melchizedec.
It tells us that Melchizedec is assimilated to Christ in this unique and sacred record. This is primarily so by what the scriptures did not tell us about his parentage and ancestry and no less than by what it tells us.
Paul was saying that Melchizedec was made like Him. In other words, he represented in such a wise and King of righteousness as to resemble Christ. Furthermore, the "Son of God" used here, which means the Messiah, distinctively intimated him with the eternal being of Jesus. This is the height of the comparison.
So whatever Melchizedec stood for as a receiver and blesser of Abraham is what Christ stands for as the receiver of tithes and blesser of the giver.
Christ forever remains a priest and receiver of tithes, among many other Kingdom attributes of the Messiah, forever.
Second, Heb 7:5 says *......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:*
However, Melchizedec, *.....whose descent is not counted from them....* (i.e., sons Aaron or Levi) *.... received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises.*, Heb 7:6.
Paul further differentiates, saying sons or descendants of Levi who received tithes died, but Melchizedec who *....without beginning of days or end of life, resembling the Son of God...*
*.....receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth.*, Heb 7:3.
Paul explains that Levi, who received tithes, also pay tithes in Abraham because they were in the loins of Abraham. Paul says about Levi that *".... he was yet in the loins of his father when Melchisedec met him.*
Christ conquered death, so He lived forever. Therefore, as Jesus was resurrected after death and is never to die again, therefore, the title of "Melchizedec” who had no ending is distinctly in Jesus who lives forever.
For this Melchisedec.—The sentence is completed in the last words of Hebrews 7:3, *“...abideth a priest continually;”* as Christ is forever.
John 8:58, Jesus says, *".....Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.*
So, when Abraham was paying tithes, he was not paying to a king who would die. He was paying to a king who had no beginning and ending. This king called Melchizedec.
Melchizedec became the type of Christ. One that was human and visible yet who truly does transcend earthly existence as the forever eternal King-Priest, Jesus.
Paul reference to Melchizedec simply tells us tithes are given to Christ, who has no beginning and ending. This was who Melchizedec represented.
Paul says in Heb 7:7 *"And without all contradiction, the less is blessed of the better."*
Abraham was blessed of the better who was Melchizedek, who was in the likeness of Christ, who lives forever.
Paul concludes in Hebrews 7:8, the everlasting Christ, in the order of Melchizedec who lives forever.
*In the case of the Levites, mortal men collect the tenth; but in the case of Melchizedec, it is affirmed that he lives on.*
Jesus was in Melchizedec. He lives on in the order of Melchizedec as the receiver and gives the blessing on tithers.
*Remorse corner.*
Jesus is identified as a *"high priest forever in the order of Melchizedec,"* and so Jesus assumes the role of High Priest once and for all. As Melchizedec received and blessed tithes so Jesus still does!
*Call to Word action.*
Heb 6:19-20 *Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil;*
*Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.*
*The Christian clarion duty.*
If you are a son or daughter of Abraham and his blessings are yours, you will pay tithes. Heb 7: 9 *And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham.*
*Prayer.*
Lord, help me to pay my tithes faithfully, in Jesus name.
Good morning all, and have a blessed day.
God bless you.