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Hebrews Series

Hebrews - #22

Fred R. Coulter - October 26, 2002

This is Hebrews, in our series on Hebrews, number 22. Now last time we came down through verse 3, so let’s pick it up here beginning in verse 4. And I mentioned that we were going to do some things on tithing. And in going over all the tapes that I’ve done on tithing, we have a whole series on tithing. So if you have any questions concerning tithing you write in for it, because all I will do when we get through this section here, I will do a sermon on Paul, the New Testament, and tithing. And that should pretty well answer all your questions, because we have all of them, we’ve gone through them before, covering all the questions: is it Old Testament only? New Testament? Was there tithing required before Abraham? And so forth. So I’ll cover it as…that one tape I’ll do the New Testament and cover it on that.

And it all gets down to everything that there is. Whatever your obedience to God is, it has to come from the heart. Because if someone makes you do it, or puts you in fear to do it, or coerces you to do it, or whatever means of pressure is upon a person to do something, and they don’t want to do it, well then, you know, you can’t change their minds. But as I covered last time, God shows that what He does in dealing with people, He always brings repentance first. But concerning tithing now, as it relates to Hebrews 7, let’s pick up in verse 4 of Hebrews 7.

“And consider how great this one was, to Whom even the patriarch Abraham gave a tenth from the spoils” (v. 4, AT). Now, we covered that last time. Now, the reason that this is given here is because he gave it to Melchizedek. Now there are two reasons why this is very important. It’s because Abraham was the father of physical Israel. Abraham is also the father of spiritual Israel, being the church. And in giving a tithe to Melchizedek, it was based on eternal life, because He remains a Priest forever. So the authority for tithing is based upon God. He’s the one Who gave the authority. Now, the reason he is contrasting this, and now he brings up the sons of Levi and the Aaronic priesthood, you see. Then he is showing that the authority for tithing under the covenant with Israel was a lesser authority and a temporary authority. Because the authority really resides in God in the person of Melchizedek.

Now verse 5. Let’s go from verse 5 down to verse 10, then we will come back and analyze each verse as we go along. Now verse 5, “Now on the one hand, those from among the sons of Levi who receive the priesthood are commanded by the law to collect tithes from the people - that is, from their brethren - even though they all are descended from Abraham; but on the other hand, He Who was not descended from them received tithes from Abraham, and blessed him who had the promises. Now it is beyond all doubt that the inferior one is blessed by the superior one” (vs. 5-7, AT).

 And so this is what he is showing here. In verse 8, “And in the first case, men who die receive tithes; but in the other case, He received tithes of Whom it is witnessed that He lives forever. And in one sense, Levi, who receives tithes, also gave tithes through Abraham; for he was still in his forefather’s loins when Melchisedec met him” (vs. 8-10, AT).

So this is, verse 8 and 9, are showing a point. That the priesthood of Melchizedek is far superior to the priesthood of Aaron and the Levites. And that the receiving or the giving of tithes in Abraham’s case; and as we covered last time of course, that wasn’t the only time he tithed, as recorded there in Genesis 14. That’s the only one that’s recorded. Now let’s come back to verse 5 (AT), where it says, “...on the one hand, those from among the sons of Levi who receive the priesthood...” And that’s separating out not just Levi alone, but also Aaron, because the Levites were assistants to the priests. “...Are commanded by the law to collect tithes from the people - that is, from their brethren - even though they all are descended from Abraham;...”

Now let’s come back to Numbers 18. You even have that in the marginal note there. And let’s look at something that is very important to understand. When Abraham tithed to Melchizedek, and we saw that Melchizedek was the manifestation of God to Abraham, as the Priest of God. Just like He appeared to him when He came with the angels as a man. Numbers 18, and let’s begin here in verse 20. “And the LORD spake unto Aaron, Thou shalt have no inheritance in their land,...” Now that means that the tribe of Levi did not receive a territory like we would call a state. Rather, the Levites and the priests were scattered throughout all Israel. And they had cities for Levites. The Levites and the priests could own their own homes on their own property within the cities that they had designated for the cities of the Levites. So they were not without land that they owned themselves. Howbeit, they did not own agricultural production land as the rest of the tribes of Israel. And He says, “...neither shalt thou have any part among them [that is, in the land]: I am thy part and thine inheritance among the children of Israel.” Now isn’t that interesting? “I am your part and your inheritance.” Whenever you belong to God, that’s how it’s phrased. Especially with the ministry. Now you see, with the priesthood it’s phrased that way here.

Now then, hold your place and let’s come to John 13 for just a minute. Now here in John 13 we have the last Passover with Jesus Christ. And He was talking to His apostles, who were going to be what? Who were going to be the leaders of preaching the gospel. Is that not correct? Yes. Now let’s notice what Jesus said to him. Let’s come here to verse 6, when He came to Simon Peter. “Then cometh He to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto Him, Lord, dost Thou wash my feet? Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter.” That means, “you’ll know when I’m done.” “Peter saith unto Him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with Me” (John 13:6-8). It’s interesting that that’s the same phraseology that’s used concerning Aaron. He had his part with God. Likewise with the apostles: “You have no part with Me.”

Now let’s come here to Acts 1, and let’s look when they selected the replacement for Judas Iscariot. And they selected Mathias. Now let’s pick it up here in verse 24. Now the reason that ministers are not selected in this manner today is because the Bible does not instruct us to do so. And since the selecting of the apostles, because Jesus Christ personally chose them, then they would be presumptuous if they had chosen one. For example if they said, “Ok, well, let’s have a vote on it, guys. Let’s all gather around here and we’ll vote who’s going to replace Judas.” Because they didn’t have the authority to do so. Now let’s just carry this one step further. When Barnabas and Saul were ordained as apostles, how was it made known to them that they were to be apostles? The Holy Spirit revealed it. And apparently there was the spoken word through the power of the Holy Spirit to “…separate Me Barnabas and Saul for the work that I have called them to do” (Acts 13:2, paraphrased). So again, we have the selection of apostles was done not by men, but by God. So we have the same thing here. This is why they cast the lots.

Verse 24, “And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two Thou hast chosen, that he may take part of this ministry and apostleship,...” See, so not only did Aaron and the Levites have part in the ministry, and their part was with God, so likewise when it comes to the apostleship those who are going to be the ones in establishing the church you have exactly the same thing - a part. “...Of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place. And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Mathias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles” (Acts 1:24-26).

Now let’s come to Acts 8. Now let’s see some interesting things that Peter said to Simon Magus when he said, “Oh, I’ll give you money and you give me this power.” So he said here, verse 19, “Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy [Spirit] Ghost. But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God” (Acts 8:19-21). Then he told him to go ahead and repent. So it’s very interesting, that exact same wording is used back here in Numbers 18 when God is talking to Aaron, and why He was going to do with Aaron what He was going to do.

Now let’s come back to Numbers 18 again. And let’s see something that is very important. And it’s very profound. Now before we read Numbers 18:21, let’s ask a couple of questions. We have seen that the one Who became Melchizedek was also the one Who was the LORD God of the Old Testament. Or Old Covenant. Or, the LORD God, dealing with the patriarchs. And when He dealt with the patriarchs, He appeared to them personally and also in vision. And when He dealt with Moses He told Aaron and Miriam that He would talk to Moses face-to-face. But any other prophet from that time forward He would speak in dreams and revelations. So here we have a situation, now, where God is establishing the Aaronic priesthood with the Levites to help. Now let’s read it. The same one Who was Melchizedek. And that’s the whole point that Paul is making here. Now verse 21, “And, behold, I have given the children of Levi all the tenth in Israel for an inheritance, for their service which they serve, even the service of the tabernacle of the congregation.”

Now let’s look at a couple of things here concerning that. God gave it to them. It was His to give. So it tells you that this is something that God owns. Whatever God owns He can give to whomever one He wants. So He gave it to them. Let’s also understand another thing. He says, “all the tenth,” which He does not restrict to agricultural or animal products. But all the tenth, because the tenth is not restricted to agricultural products or animal products. Because the earth and the fullness is God’s, and He made it. And everything that we do anyway is derived out of the ground, isn’t it? So if you produce oil, it’s out of the ground. If you produce a metal, it’s out of the ground. If you work with woodwork, it’s out of the ground. It all comes from the earth. And God well knew that it was going to be more than just on the agricultural products. That’s why He said, “all the tenth”, whatever the tenth was.

So here we have established that Melchizedek in the person of the LORD God, because that’s Who it was, then took the tithe which was rightfully His by the fact that He was God, and gave it to the Levites. And to Aaron. Now we will see that that is the whole point of what Paul is writing about here - that Melchizedek is far superior to the Aaronic priesthood. So then he’s making the point - let’s come back here now to Hebrews 7, and let’s continue on. They are commanded by the law to collect tithes from the people. Now then, since God owns it, then whatever the tithe is, is the thing that belongs to God. And that’s why Jesus said, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and render to God the things that are God’s” (Matthew 22:21, paraphrased).

“…That is, from their brethren - even though they all are descended from Abraham;...” (vs. 5, AT). So even in spite of the fact that they are on a human level, equal, He did not give the tithe to anyone but to Aaron and the Levites. Now then, he’s making a contrast here between the authority of the law, because they are commanded by the law. Now what Abraham gave to Melchizedek was on the authority of eternal life. Now which is a higher authority? Law, or eternal life? Eternal life is. Now we’ll see that in just a minute.

Now verse 6 (AT), “But on the other hand, He Who was not descended from them received tithes from Abraham,...” Now he’s making a point here very importantly. He is showing very clearly that the tithes given to the Levitical system, as we covered last time, the Levitical system was temporary. That’s why we have the prophecy, “You are a Priest forever after the order of Melchizedek...” back in Psalm 110:4, showing that that system of the Levitical and Aaronic priesthood was coming to an end. And we covered last time on how the Levitical and Aaronic priesthood is corruptible, because they are human, and how that the very first time that Moses didn’t come back from the mountain, and the people said, “Make us calves”, Aaron was corrupted the first time. You can go back and listen to that tape that we did last time.

Now here we have, based upon a Priest Who lives forever, Who does not die, Who has greater authority, and Who in fact was the one Who gave the tithes and the commandment to the sons of Levi in the first place. So therefore, you cannot make the argument in any case that the only ones who were to receive the tithes were the priests or the Levites. Because Abraham never gave it to a priest of Aaron or Levi, because in fact, they were still in his loins. Showing the superiority of the effort of Abraham and the superiority of the priesthood of Melchizedek, both. And furthermore, “...blessed him who had the promises” (vs. 6, AT). Now what were the promises? Two major promises, right? Promises of physical seed, “as the sand of the sea”, as we have covered, and the promises of spiritual seed; that is, the church. And if you are Christ’s then are you Abraham’s seed and heirs according to the promise. So you have both.

Now if you are an Israelite and you’re looking back at your roots, then you would have to say that Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob are your forefathers, and those are your roots. But when you come to Abraham, Abraham had a relationship with God long before the promises were given, at least ten years. And he had a continuous, faithful relationship with God all through his life, and obeyed His voice and kept His charge and His commandments, and laws, and statutes, you see. So this shows that Abraham, as a person, had a higher relationship with God than they did. And his relationship with God was on a spiritual basis. That’s why when he believed God it was counted to him for righteousness. He had faith. He obeyed. Now yes, he did offer some sacrifices, didn’t he? But the sacrifices he offered were burnt offerings. Nowhere do we find that Abraham offered a sin offering. So that means with his direct relationship with God, whatever sins he committed he could repent just like we do, because he had that access to God. That’s why he is the father of the faithful.

So the children given to Abraham in the physical…as physical descendants then, are in a lesser position with God than Abraham was. And they had a temple, or tabernacle, to worship at. And as we will see, because this whole section goes clear forward to chapter 10:26, they could not have a relationship with God like Abraham had, or like those who God calls now, and we, being of Jesus Christ. So this is what he’s saying. This is the whole point that he is making here. He “…blessed him who had the promises.” That shows that He was superior to Aaron and the Levites. Now verse 7 (AT), “Now it is beyond all doubt that the inferior one [that is Abraham] is blessed by the superior one.” Now this is both true physically and spiritually.

Now what he is showing here is this…let’s continue on with the inferior and the superior. “And in the first case, men who die receive tithes; but in the other case, He received tithes of Whom it is witnessed that He lives forever” (vs. 8, AT). Now then, this also tells us something concerning receiving tithes in the New Testament. The tithes were to be received to help people with eternal life. That’s what it’s for. To minister unto them the Word of God unto eternal life. Whereas the tithes that the Levites received, it was not unto eternal life. So the tithing that Melchizedek has, which we also have in the New Testament, is based upon everlasting life. The tithing that was given to Israel was temporary, because God, for the time and duration of the Aaronic and Levitical priesthood, gave it to them. Now we’re going to see how God handled that when we get to the section concerning Paul’s authority in tithing. So we’ll just bypass it from there.

Now to make the point, as we already covered, verse 9, “And in one sense, Levi, who receives tithes [that is, the priests who were there at the temple], also gave tithes through Abraham;…” And so what we - and it says, “For he was still in his forefather’s loins when Melchisedec met him.” So what we have with this: this very act, then, was a prophecy of the subordination of the Levitical priesthood to the Melchizedek priesthood. That’s what it’s showing us. Now here is the reason for the change. Verse 11, “Therefore, if perfection was indeed possible through the Levitical priesthood - ...” (vs. 9-11, AT). Now what do you mean by perfection? That is, pointing to eternal life.

Now let’s come to Galatians 3, please. Turn there, and we’ll see this. Paul also covers this in Galatians, showing that eternal life is a gift of God. And the power and authority of eternal life is greater than the authority that was given to the Levites. Now let’s pick it up here in verse 21. “Is the law then against the promises of God?” Now this is the whole Old Covenant. That’s what it’s talking about here when it says, “the law.” “...Against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could [give] have given life [that is, eternal life], verily righteousness should have been by the law.” Or that is, true perfection. Law tells you what is right and what is wrong. Yes, if you love God you’re going to keep His commandments. That’s absolutely true. But you’ve missed the whole point of law if you don’t understand that that is to lead you to Christ. And when you come to Christ you don’t give up the law-keeping and commandment-keeping; rather it is all now spiritually magnified and in keeping the commandments of God. That’s why, as we’ll see in a minute, when it talks about annulling the law there in Hebrews 7, it’s not talking about doing away with all law. It was, as we’ll see, it’s talking about the law as related to the priesthood. Those had to be changed. So there is no law that brings perfection. Law gives us the knowledge of sin. Law tells us what is right and wrong. The Holy Spirit from God the Father through Jesus Christ brings us eternal life, and we receive that by promise. And that’s the promise that was given Abraham, which is extended to us.

Now let’s look at a couple scriptures here showing a little bit more about perfection. Which Christ even said in the Sermon on the Mount. Now let’s come to Matthew 5:48. When it’s talking about perfection…and of course, no law can make you perfect. No law can give you life. That’s why salvation comes through what? Repentance and baptism, and belief, and walking in the way of God. It does not come because you open a book of the law and it says, “If you do these laws you will receive eternal life.” And if that were the case then, you could earn it. But you can’t earn eternal life. That’s why it’s not by law. That’s why Paul said, “If there were a law given, then surely righteousness would have been by the law” (Galatians 3:21, paraphrased). And that righteousness means the righteousness of perfection which comes through eternal life.

Now here, Matthew 5:48. Where He summed up this first section of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said, “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” Now the only way that can be done is through the gift of the eternal life, is that not correct? Yes. So perfection comes by God’s Spirit. Perfection does not come by law-keeping. And it’s so difficult for people to understand that you must keep the commandments of God, yet that does not give you eternal life. Howbeit, it’s got to be a condition of eternal life, does it not? Let’s come back here to the very last chapter of Revelation, and we will see that it is a condition. Now God can put conditions on it. You can’t buy it. It’s not a condition that you buy. It’s a condition of something that you do.

Now let’s come here to Revelation 22:12. “And, behold, I come quickly; and My reward is with Me, to give every man according as his work shall be.” Now we are to have good works. God created them that we should walk in them, you see. Now He says, verse 13, “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and last.” What He’s saying here, “There’s no way you’re going to get eternal life by going around Me.” That’s what He’s saying. Verse 14, “Blessed are they that do His commandments,...” And that means practice and keep, “...that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city” (Rev. 22:12-14). So you see, commandment-keeping is required, but commandment-keeping cannot give life, because commandment-keeping is not receiving the Holy Spirit.

Now let’s look at that one more. Let’s look at Matthew 19. Let’s take one more look at it. Let’s begin here in verse 16. And we will ask the question, is it possible to keep the commandments of God, though you’re not converted? Can you keep them in the letter? Of course you can. To keep them in the Spirit is another challenge. Because you’re dealing with the mind and you’re dealing with overcoming lust, and you’re dealing with overcoming human nature. The whole spiritual keeping of the commandments of God is another whole different story. But physically speaking…let’s pick it up here in Matthew 19:16. “And, behold, one came and said unto Him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?” And Jesus said to him, “Just believe. All you have to do is believe...” [Laughter].

“And He said unto him, Why callest thou Me good? There is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.” And so the young man said to Him, because he figured, “Well, I’ve been doing that. I’ve been good. Lord, I’ve been good.” “He saith unto Him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shall do no murder [haven’t done that], Thou shalt not commit adultery [haven’t done that], Thou shalt not steal [haven’t done that. Boy, I must be getting close], Thou shalt not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. The young man saith unto Him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?” (vs. 17-20). What does he lack? He lacks the Holy Spirit. So this is showing that it’s more than just the physical keeping of the law. But it also shows this: It shows that yes, you can keep the commandments in the letter, and that in keeping them in the letter there is no spiritual perfection. Because why? God expects that of every human being. That’s why.

Now then, Jesus said, “...If thou wilt be perfect...” So there we go. Now this is for eternal life. “...Go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor,...” Get rid of your idols on the earth. That’s what He’s saying. Whatever your idol on the earth is. In his case, it was money. “...And thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow Me. But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions” (vs. 21-22). So we can conclude by this, commandment-keeping is required. And Jesus never said it was wrong at any time. As a matter of fact, He said He did not come to abolish the law but to fulfill. But we also find here that commandment-keeping, though God requires it, that is a basic fundamental. It does not perfect you spiritually.

Now let’s look and see why He said that. Let’s come back here to Matthew 13 for just a minute. Matthew 13:45. So you see, what Paul is doing, he’s helping put everything in perspective. Now here, Matthew 13:45. It again talks about selling all that you have. Now there is a way, we’ll see in just a minute, there is a way to sell all that you have and still be able to use it. We’ll see that. That may sound a little contradictory, but it’s not. Now verse 45, “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it” (Matt. 13:45-46). Now this is showing a complete dedication of your life.

Now let’s come to Luke 14. Now this is the “repentance and counting the cost” chapter. Now here is how you need to sell the things. Selling them alone and then wishing you had never sold them, or selling them, and then complaining that God said, “Sell them.” Selling it and not repenting and coming close to God and not doing the spiritual things isn’t going to help you either. Because Paul said, “Though I give all my goods...” King James says, “to the poor,” but it’s…you can give it to different causes. “...And have not love, it profits me nothing” (1 Corinthians 13:3, paraphrased). So this is the whole thing that we’re talking about. And when we come in here to Hebrews 7, this is the kind of perfection that he is showing. That under the Levitical priesthood you could not have perfection of the heart and mind and spirit, number one, because the Holy Spirit was not given; and number two, because the system under the Aaronic and Levitical priesthood never allowed for salvation of eternal life.

Now let’s pick it up here, reading in verse 25. “And there went great multitudes with Him: and when He turned, and said unto them, If any man come to Me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple.” And that’s what was the problem with the young rich man. Not that he couldn’t have sold his goods. He could have sold his goods. But he wasn’t willing to give himself. So if you give yourself, and count yourself this way to God, this is called counting the cost and so forth. And just realize that, as Paul said, “In whatever circumstances you are, whether you are abound, or whether you are abased, you always trust in God” (Philippians 4:12, paraphrased). And that’s the spiritual attitude that God wants us to have. So if you don’t have that, Jesus said, “He cannot be My disciple.”

Now verse 27, “And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after Me, cannot be My disciple.” Now a cross is whatever trial, a difficulty, whatever thing that you have to give up. Now some people have to give up more than money. But as I mentioned last week, the two things people get all concerned about is, number one, their lives; and number two, their money. Those two. And we see that interplaying throughout all of this that we’re talking about. So it is possible, if you count everything but loss for Christ, that you don’t have to sell everything you own. Because you have already in your own mind divorced yourself from all the physical things around you, and count them but dung. That doesn’t mean that you don’t take care of the physical things around you. That just means to serve God there isn’t one physical thing that is going to hold you back. You’re always going to be yielding to God. In some cases it’s going to be hard. Other cases it will be easier.

Now let’s come to Ephesians 4 and let’s look at this perfection again. And here is the whole spiritual process, you see. That’s why Paul said in writing Hebrews, that perfection did not come by law. Perfection, or eternal life, comes by gift, and comes by Holy Spirit. Now Ephesians 4:11, “And He gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelist; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints,...” (Eph. 4:11-12).

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