Originally posted by franklin
Ms Belle, sorry to go so long here and thank you for showing me how to master the art of dividing up quotes!
Franklin, I give you an "A" in Quotes 101 Class!
Hebrew 7:12 says there was a change of the priesthood laws, tithes being one of these "carnal commandments" (verse 16) that were changed!!! What can be more clearer than this chapter to show that tithe was abolished? Just look it up for yourself and if I'm wrong let me know, I don't claim to have all the answers, I'm just trying to allow the scripture to be it's own interpreter.
Well, Franklin, you have caused me to go back and read the scriptures, which is always a good thing.
When I read the entire chapter of Hebrews 7, I believe the main idea here is to acertain that Jesus is our high priest, even as Melchizedek was the high priest to Abraham. Even as Abraham tithed to Melchizedek, I think the scripture is saying we also tithe to Jesus.
Using the Living Translation, because it is easier for me to understand, here is what I get from it:
Hebrews 7
Verses 1-2
"This Melchizedek was king of the city of Salem and also a priest of God Most High. When Abraham was returning home after winning a great battle against many kings, Melchizedek met him and blessed him. 2)Then Abraham took a tenth of all he had won in the battle and gave it to Melchizedek. His name means "king of justice." He is also "king of peace" because Salem means "peace."
I interpret these verses to establish the fact that Melchizedek was the high priest, because Abraham gave his tithe to Melchizedek.
Verses 3-4
"There is no record of his father or mother or any of his ancestors no beginning or end to his life. He remains a priest forever, resembling the Son of God. 4)Consider then how great this Melchizedek was. Even Abraham, the great patriarch of Israel, recognized how great Melchizedek was by giving him a tenth of what he had taken in battle."
These verses compare the priesthood of Melchizedek to the priesthood of Jesus.
Verses 5-6
"Now the priests, who are descendants of Levi, are commanded in the law of Moses to collect a tithe from all the people, even though they are their own relatives. 6)But Melchizedek, who was not even related to Levi, collected a tenth from Abraham. And Melchizedek placed a blessing upon Abraham, the one who had already received the promises of God."
Theses verses are a marvel that Abraham would give his tithe to Melchizedek! Why did Abraham do this? I believe these verses give an example to us, that Jesus is our high priest and we should give our tithes to Jesus.
Verses 7-8
"And without question, the person who has the power to bless is always greater than the person who is blessed. 8)In the case of Jewish priests, tithes are paid to men who will die. But Melchizedek is greater than they are, because we are told that he lives on."
Wow, these verses confirm that Melchizedek was greater than Abraham! Abraham gave his tithe to Melchizedek, which is an example to us, that we should give our tithe to Jesus.
Verses 9-10
"In addition, we might even say that Levi's descendants, the ones who collect the tithe, paid a tithe to Melchizedek through their ancestor Abraham. 10)For although Levi wasn't born yet, the seed from which he came was in Abraham's loins when Melchizedek collected the tithe from him."
Theses verses confirm the priesthood of Jesus, and seems to confirm the paying of tithes to Jesus
Verses 11-12
"And finally, if the priesthood of Levi could have achieved God's purposes and it was that priesthood on which the law was based why did God need to send a different priest from the line of Melchizedek, instead of from the line of Levi and Aaron? 12)And when the priesthood is changed, the law must also be changed to permit it."
The priesthood was given to Melchizedek. The law that was changed was the law which confirmed the priesthood of Levi. The law of the priesthood of Levi had to be changed in order to permit the preisthood of Melchizedek.
Verses 13-15
"For the one we are talking about belongs to a different tribe, whose members do not serve at the altar. 14)What I mean is, our Lord came from the tribe of Judah, and Moses never mentioned Judah in connection with the priesthood. 15)The change in God's law is even more evident from the fact that a different priest, who is like Melchizedek, has now come."
Again, these verses confirm the priesthood on Jesus. The change in the priesthood is the message of Hebrews chapter 7!!
Verses 16-17
"He became a priest, not by meeting the old requirement of belonging to the tribe of Levi, but by the power of a life that cannot be destroyed. 17)And the psalmist pointed this out when he said of Christ, "You are a priest forever in the line of Melchizedek."
These verses further confirm the changing of the priesthood--the EVIDENCE of this change in priesthood is that Abraham gave his tithe to Melchizedek, and is now given to Jesus!
Verses 18-22
"Yes, the old requirement about the priesthood was set aside because it was weak and useless. 19)For the law made nothing perfect, and now a better hope has taken its place. And that is how we draw near to God. 20)God took an oath that Christ would always be a priest, but he never did this for any other priest. 21)Only to Jesus did he say, "The Lord has taken an oath and will not break his vow: 'You are a priest forever.'" 22)Because of God's oath, it is Jesus who guarantees the effectiveness of this better covenant."
The old requirement was that the priesthood belonged to the priests of Levi, which was not a perfect law. The priesthood of Jesus is eternal, the priesthood of Jesus IS PERFECT!
Verses 23-28
"Another difference is that there were many priests under the old system. When one priest died, another had to take his place. 24)But Jesus remains a priest forever; his priesthood will never end. 25)Therefore he is able, once and forever, to save everyone who comes to God through him. He lives forever to plead with God on their behalf. 26)He is the kind of high priest we need because he is holy and blameless, unstained by sin. He has now been set apart from sinners, and he has been given the highest place of honor in heaven. 27)He does not need to offer sacrifices every day like the other high priests. They did this for their own sins first and then for the sins of the people. But Jesus did this once for all when he sacrificed himself on the cross. 28)Those who were high priests under the law of Moses were limited by human weakness. But after the law was given, God appointed his Son with an oath, and his Son has been made perfect forever."
These verses testify to the sacrifice Jesus made for us, a blood sacrifice, not of animals, but a perfect and Holy sacrifice of Christ's own Blood, which was shed for us at Calvary.
Now Franklin, skip forward to Hebrews 13: 15-16
"15)With Jesus' help, let us continually offer our sacrifice of praise to God by proclaiming the glory of his name. 16)Don't forget to do good and to share what you have with those in need, for such sacrifices are very pleasing to God."