Hebrews 7_8 And Tithing
Dear Mr. Vinson,
On three separate occasions, my wife and I have asked a bible teacher why he “skipped” the most important tithing verse in the New Testament (Heb 7:8) when he quoted most of Heb 7 in a “tithing” paper. I just find it to be a little unacceptable and odd to skip right over this verse. He told me that it would be too difficult to explain it in an email and never even responded to my wife’s two inquiries (which were more direct).
Mike, I am a man after the truth so I feel that there needs to be an honest explanation given to truth seekers as to WHY this verse was skipped. Can you please help me by explaining what Heb 7:8 means? This verse says that Jesus receives tithes, even when this passage was penned (long after Christ’s resurrection).
Thank you!
J____
Hi J____,
Thank you for your question.
You ask me why this teacher skipped Heb 7:8. You say that Christ received tithes “long after Christ’s resurrection.” I will take you at your word that you are simply a truth seeker, but I would like to know if you have taken the time to read thoroughly the paper on my site entitled The Law of Moses Versus The Law Of The Spirit?
Both Paul and James inform us that if you are going to keep the law “you are a debtor to keep the whole law”.
Gal 5:3 For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law.
Heb 7:8 was not skipped over. The point of Heb 7:8 is to demonstrate that this new priesthood is vastly superior to the old covenant with it’s fleshly dying priesthood. To take Heb 7:8 and draw from it that Christ should still be receiving only 10% of one’s paycheck is equivalent to saying that the parable of the unjust steward demonstrates that Christ wants us to be unjust stewards. That, of course is not true. Christ Himself interpreted this parable and tells us that the point of the parable is that we are to be “wise as serpents, yet harmless as doves.” The purpose of holding a child in His lap was not to encourage us to remain immature, but to encourage us to remain humble “as this little child.” He did this when the disciples were arguing about who would be greatest in the kingdom.
Even so, the purpose for…:
Heb 7:8 And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth.
… is simply to demonstrate that
Heb 7:7 And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better.
It is this very chapter that equates the priesthood with the law that came with it:
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?
And here is what we are told of both, right here in this same chapter:
Heb 7:12 For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law.
Heb 7:13 For he of whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the altar.
Heb 7:14 For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood.
Heb 7:15 And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest,
Heb 7:16 Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life.
Heb 7:17 For he testifieth, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.
Heb 7:18 For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof.
Heb 7:19 For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God.
This is in complete accord with everything else Paul wrote on this subject, like:
1Ti 1:9 Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers,
This is really very basic to Christ’s “but I say unto you” doctrines contradicting the law of Moses in Mat 5-7. Yet it is more ‘meat’ than most “carnal… babes in Christ” [1Co 3:1-4] can even now receive. “The law [ including tithing laws] is not made for a righteous man.”
I hope this is of some help to you as you seek the truth of God’s Word.
Again, I encourage you to read The Law of Moses Versus The Law of The Spirit. It is an in- depth treatment of this entire subject of the law. It will answer many questions on this subject that seem like contradictions to many.
Your brother in Christ,
Mike
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