Genesis 14 begins with a regional war where coalitions were made between the kings of several cities on two different sides. One of the cities that fell was Sodom where Lot lived. Lot was captured and taken off. When word got to Abram about his nephew he and some allies pulled off a military miracle by routing the coalition with inferior numbers. The text seems to indicate that Abram’s motivation for this was to rescue Lot. It is interesting to note that by his keeping a centralized government from forming in the region like there was in Egypt would pave the way hundreds of years later for his descendants to conquer the promised land.
Upon his return Abram is approached by two kings. One was a priest/king from Salem who met Abram with bread and wine, and a blessing. Many believe Salem later became the site for Jerusalem. The blessing was an acknowledgment that it was through the power of the God Most High (El Elyon) that Abram defeated his enemies. Abram was so struck with the blessing and praise for God that he gave Melchzedek a tithe. From that time on tithing has been a part of worship. Tithing is to be given in response to God’s goodness and power. Melchzedek is prominently mentioned in Hebrews 5-7. Jesus is linked to the priesthood of Melchzedek. This link would predate Abraham, and certainly the Israelite priesthood from Aaron and the tribe of Levi. We need one greater and different from those who were given the Law to liberate us from sin and death. I also find it interesting that Melchzedek brought wine and bread as part of the worship and blessing to God. Jesus used bread and wine to establish the Lord’s Supper. It is important to remember that we have a priest in Jesus who has direct access to God. The Bible teaches that He is making intercession for us now. I am humbled at the thought of Jesus making intercession for us and serving us as our priest.
Abram’s dealing with the King of Sodom was to be expected. The King of Sodom wanted to give Abram all the possessions he recovered, but Abram refused. Sodom was a sinful place and Abram did not want his wealth to come from wickedness, but from God alone. It is important for us to stay above reproach in our lives so that no one can doubt that our strength, life and possessions all come from God.
About Me
- Robert and Ray Miller
- Robert is the pastor of First Baptist Texas City, Tx. And Ray is the pastor of First Baptist Mertens, Tx. Robert brings over 30 years of biblical study as a pastor. Ray brings a younger perspective to the Bible and also a command of the original languages. Our greatest passion is to see lives changed through the good news of Jesus Christ.
6 comments:
Melchizedek fascinates me. While Abraham is the often referred to as the "Father of our Faith," the author of Hebrews argues that Melchizedek was greater. Melchizedek's name means "King of righteousness." In Biblical days, your name often told your character. Melchizedek had a great name, and from what we have about him in scripture, he lived up to it. As Christians, we bear the name of Christ. Let's hope we live up to our great name as welL!
I have been looking for the correct site and i am here. What a great uncle Abram is he is always sacrificing his life to save Lot.
I also see abram loyalty to God's Glory by refusing the gifts of the world. It makes me look at my own life and see where i have compromised for worldly wealth. Lord help me to be faithful to your blessings and not fall for worldly temptations
Tesa - welcome aboard. I enjoyed your comments. I, too, was thinking how Abraham exhibited so many christian characteristics. His love and care for his nephew is great to see and calls for each of us to go out of our way to care for those in our families (including the family of God). He also was above reproach in rejecting anything that the King of Sodom had to offer. He shows his security in the protection and watchcare of the Almighty rather than in things of this world, as Tesa and Ray pointed out.
Hello,
The text doesn't suggest that Abraham gave the tithe because he was struck by the Melchizedek's praise. He gave the tithe from the spoil of war which didn't belong to him but to the king of Sodom. He also said that he would have no part on the spoil because he didn't the king of Sodom to brag that he made Abraham rich.
Abraham never tithed from his own wealth. When he gave the tithe to Melchizedek, he was following a local custom. History records that throughout the ages (hundreds or millenia before Abraham) people from all over the world (and specially the Sumerians) regularly tithed the spoil of war to the local deities, or the local ruler.
This, and the fact that Abraham was particularly mindful of following the ways of the land, gives weight to my argument. Notice how aware Abraham was of the local customs when he entered Egypt and then later the land of the king Abimelech: afraid that the local ruler would take by force his beautiful wife, he nonetheless jeopardized God's plan for him when he lied to these kings.
He also followed the way of the land when buying the burial site for his Sarah.
This, and the irrefutable fact that the Levitic tithe was mandated to feed the priesthood (thus having no relation at all to Abraham's tithing), warrants a conclusion that Abraham's tithing was an one-time event, and we Christians are under no obligation at all to tithe.
Peace in Christ.
The Tithe as you said is to support the church and the priesthood (pastor and staff) other wise how would you be able to keep the church alive your offering can go for this also. Would you send your child to school that does not pay their teachers. If your pastor is teaching you he should get paid
There is a contemporary song popular today that has a phrase that speaks to my heart each time I hear it. It says, "such a tiny offering (on our part) compared to Calvary. Nevertheless, I lay it at Your feet."
We, as Christians, are not commanded to give only 10% - we are commanded to give our all and in so doing we still are giving such a small token compared to what Christ gave for us.
"Father, may I ever be reminded that where my heart is, there my treasure will be also."
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