“Now Jacob went out toward Haran. So, he came to a place and stayed there all night. And he took one of the stones, and he lay down to sleep…he dreamed, a ladder was set up, and its top reached to heaven; and there the angels of God were ascending and descending on it. And behold, the LORD stood above it and said: “I am the LORD God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac; the land on which you lie I will give to you and your descendants. Also, your descendants shall be as the dust of the earth; you shall spread abroad to the west and the east, to the north and the south; and in you and IN YOUR SEED ALL THE FAMILIES OF THE EARTH SHALL BE BLESSED. Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have spoken to you.” (Genesis 28:10-15)
“Then Jacob rose early and took the stone that he had put at his head, set it up as a pillar, and poured oil on top of it. And he called the name of that place BETHEL (Betheel: house of God); Then Jacob made a vow, saying, “If God will be with me, and keep me, and give me bread and clothing, so that I come back to my father’s house in peace, then the LORD SHALL BE MY GOD. And this stone which I have set as a pillar SHALL BE GOD’S HOUSE, and of all that You give me I WILL SURELY GIVE A TENTH (‛âśar: to give a tithe) TO YOU.” (Genesis 28:18-22)
Some teach that tithing came through the Law of Moses, but Jacob was long before the Law was given. So where did Jacob learn about giving a TITHE (ten percent)? When Abraham returned from rescuing Lot, he met Melchizedek king of Salem who, “brought out bread and wine; he was the priest of God Most High. And he blessed him and said: “Blessed be Abram of God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth; And blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand.” AND HE (Abraham) GAVE HIM (Melchizedek) A TITHE OF ALL.” (Genesis 14:18-20)
And for those who say this is an “Old Testament” thing, “What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you are careful TO TITHE EVEN THE TINIEST INCOME FROM YOUR HERB GARDENS, but you ignore the more important aspects of the law—justice, mercy, and faith. YOU SHOULD TITHE, yes, but do not neglect the more important things.” (Matthew 23:23NLT)
Your Personal Pastor -Bill Stockham