Bible Study Significance of Tithing to Melchizedek

[Chopper]

Okay, I appreciate the feedback so far, but we've already gotten a little sideways on this and nobody has answered the specific questions I laid out. For now, let's set aside the NT Tithing debate. Here's the question again...

Do you think Abram tithed to Melchizedek because he was a king or because he was a priest? Why? What's the significance? If your answer is both, why?

I have a couple rough ideas, but I'd like to hear some others if people have them...

I think Abraham tithed to Malchizedek because he felt that he was a Priest. Because Abraham was such a man of faith, he was very close to the heart of Yahweh. Somehow in the Spirit, he knew that this was a very important Person of the future. I personally believe that Melchizedek was an OT appearance of Jesus Christ.

 

[Andrew Mason]

Wow, there is some amazing perspective from you guys on this passage. I'm loving and look forward to more. I'm going to throw my two cents in here now. Just know these are rough thoughts I'm still formulating which is why I'm crowd sourcing this a little bit too.
FYI This is also not some pastor's trick to end up talking about tithing to the church. I know people have different views on that so I'm not even worried about that here.

Melchizedek is, at bare minimum, an amazing OT type and shadow of Christ. I personally believe he is also Christ appearing in the OT.

Abram obviously saw Melchizedek as the greater. When Melchizedek "blessed" Abram, Abram really, really believed he had received something of weight and significance. Abram's tithe was practical, physical evidence of his "unseen faith." For this moment in time, Abram was using the tithe to demonstrate to Melchizedek that he not only believed he had received something from him, but that he was also very grateful for receiving it.

First, I believe Abram was tithing to the priest. A priest represents God. Abram believed this man was godly enough to represent the God he (Abram) believed in. There was admiration in Abram's heart to become like him (I believe). The blessing by Melchizedek elevates Abram's spiritual status.

I also believe Abram was tithing to a king too. Remember what just happened: Four kings defeated five kings. Abram then went out and defeated the four kings by himself (meaning, his own men with no allies). This means he was more powerful than all nine kings at that moment in time! You could say that he was the king of kings...and yet, technically he wasn't a king of anything.

Melchizedek not only affirms Abrams spiritual status, he affirms his royalty that is ultimately fulfilled in his seed. It's clear here that a huge attribute of being a king is conquering and reigning. This is of course, what our King, Jesus (Abram's seed), has done for us through the cross and His resurrection.

Let's remember what Revelation 1:5-6 says:
5 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.

(Side note: This was also spoken of in Exodus 19:6: 6 And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’)

So, does it make sense to say Abram is tithing to a king? If the king is knighting you, then yes.

Praise God, this is what Jesus has done for us too!

Thoughts? Feedback? Think I'm an idiot?
.

 

[Andrew Mason]

Here's another random thought. For a moment, let's just imagine that Melchizedek was an actual king and not just Christ in the OT. This is a powerful moment for Abram where it is evident that no king can overpower him and yet, he clearly submits himself to Melchizedek.

What if Melchizedek wasn't much an intimidating king at the time? What if the other kings thought he was weird because he only believed in one God (polytheism was common then)? Abram's act of submission and honor would've elevated the king of Salem's political position with the other kings. It also would've elevated their (Melchizedek's and Abram's) faith in the monotheistic Yahweh. In other words, it was a witness to the other pagan kings.

One more random thought: Abram may never have taken this risk if not for his nephew Lot. God used the circumstance with Lot to provoke Abram into taking authority over the situation. God mysteriously gets us involved in situations to grow us in our spiritual authority and calling.

 

[Eugene]

Melchizedek is, at bare minimum, an amazing OT type and shadow of Christ. I personally believe he is also Christ appearing in the OT.

Hebrews 7:3 says Melchisedec was "made like unto the Son of God;" abideth a priest continually. Why would Melchisedec have to be made like unto the Son of God if He was the Son of God? We also are changed from glory to glory into the image of Christ, and our lives like unto the Son of God has no end.

Blessings in Christ Jesus.

 

[Chopper]

Wow, there is some amazing perspective from you guys on this passage. I'm loving and look forward to more. I'm going to throw my two cents in here now. Just know these are rough thoughts I'm still formulating which is why I'm crowd sourcing this a little bit too.
FYI This is also not some pastor's trick to end up talking about tithing to the church. I know people have different views on that so I'm not even worried about that here.

Melchizedek is, at bare minimum, an amazing OT type and shadow of Christ. I personally believe he is also Christ appearing in the OT.

Abram obviously saw Melchizedek as the greater. When Melchizedek "blessed" Abram, Abram really, really believed he had received something of weight and significance. Abram's tithe was practical, physical evidence of his "unseen faith." For this moment in time, Abram was using the tithe to demonstrate to Melchizedek that he not only believed he had received something from him, but that he was also very grateful for receiving it.

First, I believe Abram was tithing to the priest. A priest represents God. Abram believed this man was godly enough to represent the God he (Abram) believed in. There was admiration in Abram's heart to become like him (I believe). The blessing by Melchizedek elevates Abram's spiritual status.

I also believe Abram was tithing to a king too. Remember what just happened: Four kings defeated five kings. Abram then went out and defeated the four kings by himself (meaning, his own men with no allies). This means he was more powerful than all nine kings at that moment in time! You could say that he was the king of kings...and yet, technically he wasn't a king of anything.

Melchizedek not only affirms Abrams spiritual status, he affirms his royalty that is ultimately fulfilled in his seed. It's clear here that a huge attribute of being a king is conquering and reigning. This is of course, what our King, Jesus (Abram's seed), has done for us through the cross and His resurrection.

Let's remember what Revelation 1:5-6 says:
5 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.

(Side note: This was also spoken of in Exodus 19:6: 6 And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’)

So, does it make sense to say Abram is tithing to a king? If the king is knighting you, then yes.

Praise God, this is what Jesus has done for us too!

Thoughts? Feedback? Think I'm an idiot?
.

Hey, for a preacher of "small" churches, you have HEAP BIG knowledge!

 

[Chopper]

Hebrews 7:3 says Melchisedec was "made like unto the Son of God;" abideth a priest continually. Why would Melchisedec have to be made like unto the Son of God if He was the Son of God? We also are changed from glory to glory into the image of Christ, and our lives like unto the Son of God has no end.

Blessings in Christ Jesus.

Sometimes in Scripture, there is a play on words. In this case, "like" the Son of God (KJV). I like how the (ESV) renders the word like to "resembling" the Son of God. Also, Melchisedec appeared as a Priest. If His duties involved Salvation at this time in history, He would have been called, Son of God. Because that office would occur later, His office at this time was Priest. I believe that the "give away" is the statement "without decent", all the words "without father , mother, or end of days" clearly, IMO, is Jesus.

 

[Eugene]

KJV - Psa 110:4 The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.

ESV - The LORD has sworn and will not change his mind, “You are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.”

Jesus’ priesthood was after the order of Melchisedec; in other words it was the same type of priesthood. That priesthood of Melchisedec didn't have a beginning of days; there is no record of his birth or death, and no family history was needed such as with the Aaronic priesthood requiring they be a Levite. There was no ending of days for Melchisedec's priesthood such as the 20 year duration of the Aaronic priesthood. Melchisedec was a king, and Jesus is a king; the earthly kingdom of Jerusalem was not the heavenly Jerusalem.

KJV - Heb 7:11 If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron?

ESV - Now if perfection had been attainable through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need would there have been for another priest to arise after the order of Melchizedek, rather than one named after the order of Aaron?

Could the another priest be Melchisedec since he is thought of many to be Christ?

 

[hhh]

Another thing that is significant is... Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was a priest of the most high God. Ge. 14:18
Remember? ...Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst. Jn. 6:35
That is explained here... It is the spirit that guickeneth;the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. Jn. 6:63
The bread and the wine was the scripture preaching the gospel to Abraham 430 years before Moses was given the law.
And the scripture... preached the gospel unto Abraham... Ga. 3:8 The law which was 430 years after, cannot disanul... Ga. 3:17
That's why, ...Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Issac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, Of whom is was said, That in Issac shall thy seed be called: Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead... He. 11:17-19

 

[for_his_glory]

Melchizedek - king of righteousness

Genesis 14:18 calls him a high priest of the most high God.

Tithing was incorporated into the law given to Moses, Leviticus 27:26-34. Abraham gave from the heart unto not a man, but unto that of Gods high priest. The storehouses that God was talking about was storing up food to feed the priest and scribes in the temple so they could be about those things of God and not have to worry about what they should eat or how to provide food for themselves.

 

[About the Son of God]

Sometimes in Scripture, there is a play on words. In this case, "like" the Son of God (KJV). I like how the (ESV) renders the word like to "resembling" the Son of God.

Yes.

Also, Melchisedec appeared as a Priest. If His duties involved Salvation at this time in history, He would have been called, Son of God. Because that office would occur later, His office at this time was Priest.

But Adam was also "Son of God"...?
Luke 3:38 Which was the son of Enos, which was the son of Seth, which was the son of Adam, which was the son of God.

I believe that the "give away" is the statement "without decent", all the words "without father , mother, or end of days" clearly, IMO, is Jesus.

Hm? I don't quite follow you ... Jesus had a Mother, if not an actual man for a father in the genealogy of Matthew/Luke?
Isn't Hebrews 7:3 talking about Melchizadech, alone?

The comparison I see is that Melchizadech lived as an active priest his whole life (levites don't), and without a previous genealogy (levites must have)
if the statement "a priest continually" is taken to mean permanently; then I would think that Melchizadech, too, is eternally a priest.

This in fact, can be true; for Christians in some churches are also known to own the two offices Melchizadech had and we are told:

Revelation 1:6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
Revelation 5:10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.
Revelation 20:6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

I wonder if it's really only the *other* tribes of Israel besides Levi that were denied priesthood... eg:because of the sin of the golden calf?
I'm thinking that it's only the law itself which prevents priesthood for the Law's sacrifices...

Or else, it must be what is specifically offered by a priest, as to what "order" they belong to.

Consider:
Hebrews 8:3 For every high priest is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices: wherefore it is of necessity that this man have somewhat also to offer.
Hebrews 8:4 For if he were on earth, he should not be a priest, seeing that there are priests that offer gifts according to the law:

But: I'm sure that another truth is that ordinary non-high priests are ordained to offer something too, otherwise Hebrews 8:4 would contradict the passages of Revelation mentioned above. Also -- it would say that even If Melchizadech was on earth (now), he would cease to be a priest at all...

But, on what account would that be -- other than the fact that the Levitical high priest did not offer bread and wine but animal sacrifice ?

For Jesus clearly acted as priest at the Altar of the cross; and at the last supper, breaking the bread and wine -- and offering them as sacrifice for a new covenant;
and even after Jesus rose, and for 40 days, he let himself be known in the selfsame action of the bread and wine, blessing it...

Luke 24:30 And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them.
Luke 24:31 And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight.

It's also curious, that priestly offerings are still mentioned in heaven, notably -- incense/odours.

Revelation 8:3 And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne.
Revelation 5:8 (KJV2K) And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of incense, which are the prayers of saints.
http://biblehub.com/revelation/5-8.htm ... NIV,ESV,NLT,NASB,KJV2000,ASV

So, that it seems to me that the high-priesthood may have been taken over by one; but that the office of under-priest (Aaron, but of incense) -- may be very much alive. Sacrifices of prayer and thanksgiving are offered with incense in Revelation -- but also by quite a few Christian denominations, even today, here on earth.

 

[hhh]

The tithe isn't only for food for the priests and scribes.

Thou shalt truly tithe all the increase of thy seed, that the field bringeth forth year by year.
And thou shalt eat before the LORD thy GOD, in the place which he shall choose to place his name there, the tithe of thy corn, of thy wine, and of thine oil, and the firstlings of thy flocks; that thou mayest learn to fear the LORD thy GOD always.
And if the way be too long for thee, so that thou art not able to carry it; or if the place be too far from thee, which the LORD thy GOD shall choose to set his name there, when the LORD thy GOD hath blessed thee:
Then shalt thou turn it into money, and bind up the money in thine hand, and shalt go unto the place which the LORD thy GOD shall choose:
And thou shalt bestow that money for whatsoever thy soul lusteth after, for oxen, or for sheep, or for wine, or for strong drink, or for whatsoever thy soul desireth: and thou shalt rejoice, thou, and thy household,
Dt. 14:22-26, I'd add 27 t

 

[About the Son of God]

The tithe isn't only for food for the priests and scribes.

hmm.... right; Many sacrifices were in fact also shared with those who brought them.
Although, I'm not sure scribes were given portions of sacrifice -- unless they were also priests.

Thou shalt truly tithe all the increase of thy seed, that the field bringeth forth year by year.
And thou shalt eat before the LORD thy GOD, in the place which he shall choose to place his name there, the tithe of thy corn, of thy wine, and of thine oil, and the firstlings of thy flocks; that thou mayest learn to fear the LORD thy GOD always.

I think the words "the place which he shall choose to place his name there", refers to the tent of meeting which Moses carried, which later became the Temple in David and Solomon's time. So, these passages you quote are about sacrifice in the temple -- and I think they would also include a portion for the priests, or at least food/money for storage in the temple for the years of famine.

Grain would easily keep.

But you're right; For example, even the passover lamb; After it was sacrificed in the temple, it was to be taken back to the family that offered it -- and eaten at the home -- but even then, a small potion of it belonged to the priest.

 

[hhh]

hmm.... right; Many sacrifices were in fact also shared with those who brought them.
Although, I'm not sure scribes were given portions of sacrifice -- unless they were also priests.



I think the words "the place which he shall choose to place his name there", refers to the tent of meeting which Moses carried, which later became the Temple in David and Solomon's time. So, these passages you quote are about sacrifice in the temple -- and I think they would also include a portion for the priests, or at least food/money for storage in the temple for the years of famine.

Grain would easily keep.

But you're right; For example, even the passover lamb; After it was sacrificed in the temple, it was to be taken back to the family that offered it -- and eaten at the home -- but even then, a small potion of it belonged to the priest.

And thou shalt bestow that
money for whatsoever thy
soul lusteth after, for oxen, or
for sheep, or for wine, or for
strong drink, or for
whatsoever thy soul desireth:
and thou shalt eat there before
the LORD thy God, and thou
shalt rejoice, thou, and thine
household,
And the Levite that is
within thy gates; thou shalt not
forsake him; for he hath no
part nor inheritance with thee.
¶ At the end of three years
thou shalt bring forth all the
tithe of thine increase the
same year, and shalt lay it up
within thy gates:
And the Levite, (because
he hath no part nor inheritance
with thee,) and the stranger,
and the fatherless, and the
widow, which are within thy
gates, shall come, and shall eat
and be satisfied; that the LORD
thy God may bless thee in all
the work of thine hand which
thou doest.
Dt.14:26-29

 

[Andrew Mason]

Consider also what they said to Abraham in Genesis 23:6 later on: 6 “Hear us, my lord: You are a mighty prince among us..." Abraham was eventually seen as royalty in the peoples' eyes and this was even before he owned any land.

Hebrews 7:3 says Melchisedec was "made like unto the Son of God;" abideth a priest continually. Why would Melchisedec have to be made like unto the Son of God if He was the Son of God? We also are changed from glory to glory into the image of Christ, and our lives like unto the Son of God has no end.

Blessings in Christ Jesus.

Thanks for jumping in Eugene. The first part of Hebrews 7:3 also says he was: 3 without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like the Son of God, remains a priest continually. - Heb. 7:3

This is why I said I personally believe. For me it does not need to be an established doctrine because of the gray area.