This event is highlighted in the New Testament (Heb 7:5,6) as Melchizedek is an anticipatory model (often called, in Biblical jargon, a of Christ in at least three ways: “type”) 1) He was a king and a priest, which is a key cornerstone of the Epistle to the Hebrews; 2) His name itself means of “King Righteousness”; 3) He blessed Abraham and administered bread and wine to him. Topical Insert: Giving Abraham, the of the left us an example to follow. “Father Faithful,” The tithe (or is clearly the ordained pattern in the Old “tenth”) Testament (Gen 28:19-22; Lev 27:30-32; 2 Chr 31:4-6; Neh Mal 3:7-10), and in the New Testament nothing has changed. Christ does not set aside the tithe in Mt 23:23; it also implied in the of 1 Cor 9:13,14; the by him in in 1 Cor 16:1,2 “Even so” “lay store” alludes to Mal 3:10; 2 Cor 8:14; Heb 7:5,6, etc. The fact that Christ is our High Priest after the order of Melchizedek, not the Levitical priesthood, makes to him an Abraham’s tithing example for each of us. There appears to be at least four reasons for the remarkable institution of the tithe: 1) It acknowledges the The Tenth of all is His. Creator’s rights. 2) It is the antidote for greed and covetousness. 3) It is a test of our faith. 4) It is the solution to every financial problem. It would appear even more binding on us since our privileges are greater: unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much “For required” (Luke 12:48). The of Heaven”? “Windows The only other use of that peculiar phrase was the “abundant of the Genesis Flood! (Gen 7:11,12). outpouring” Can you imagine that phrase—“the windows of heaven”—being applied to your financial situation? God changes not.
This event is highlighted in the New Testament (Heb 7:5,6) as Melchizedek is an anticipatory model (often called, in Biblical jargon, a “type”) of Christ in at least three ways: 1) He was a king and a priest, which is a key cornerstone of the Epistle to the Hebrews; 2) His name itself means “King of Righteousness”; 3) He blessed Abraham and administered bread and wine to him. Topical Insert: Giving Abraham, the “Father of the Faithful,” left us an example to follow. The tithe (or “tenth”) is clearly the ordained pattern in the Old Testament (Gen 28:19-22; Lev 27:30-32; 2 Chr 31:4-6; Neh Mal 3:7-10), and in the New Testament nothing has changed. Christ does not set aside the tithe in Mt 23:23; it also implied in the “Even so” of 1 Cor 9:13,14; the “lay by him in store” in 1 Cor 16:1,2 alludes to Mal 3:10; 2 Cor 8:14; Heb 7:5,6, etc. The fact that Christ is our High Priest after the order of Melchizedek, not the Levitical priesthood, makes Abraham’s tithing to him an example for each of us. There appears to be at least four reasons for the remarkable institution of the tithe: 1) It acknowledges the Creator’s rights. The Tenth of all is His. 2) It is the antidote for greed and covetousness. 3) It is a test of our faith. 4) It is the solution to every financial problem. It would appear even more binding on us since our privileges are greater: “For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required” (Luke 12:48). The “Windows of Heaven”? The only other use of that peculiar phrase was the “abundant outpouring” of the Genesis Flood! (Gen 7:11,12). Can you imagine that phrase—“the windows of heaven”—being applied to your financial situation? God changes not.
39_Malachi_TJL_compilation3.docx