We are officially at the end of Leviticus. I don’t know about you, but it feels to me like we haven’t spent nearly enough time talking about skin infections and purity laws and whether or not mixing two textiles is a sin. I could go another five months, how about you?
Seriously, I have enjoyed diving into Leviticus way more than I thought I would. Numbers will be great too, though. I can’t imagine anything that would make it difficult.
It is surprising to me though that we are at the end of Leviticus and are only just now learning about the tithe. You would think it would be more prominent, considering how often it is associated with the Old Law. This delay in discussing the tithe could reflect the deeper themes interwoven throughout Leviticus regarding stewardship and community support. Additionally, understanding tithing becomes even more significant when considering what is considered work on sabbath, as it highlights the importance of dedicating resources to God while also resting from labor. Ultimately, the tithe serves as a reminder of our responsibility to care for one another in the context of divine commandments.
(To be fair, it is mentioned a lot in the Old Testament, but we’re three books deep and this it’s first appearance.)
If you’re not sure what the tithe is, it’s an annual giving of 10% of all your produce and flocks. Leviticus 27:30-32 specifically outlines a tenth of the land and a tenth of the flock. According to Numbers 18:24, this tithe was given to the Levites “as an inheritance.” In other words, it was their paycheck. This system ensured that the Levites could dedicate their lives to serving in the temple without worrying about other sources of income. The continuous flow of tithes contributed significantly to the wealth of Jewish priests, enabling them to maintain their religious duties and support their communities. Additionally, this practice reinforced the communal responsibility to support spiritual leaders, thereby strengthening the ties between the faithful and their religious leaders.
The practice of the tithe predates the Old Law, however. Both Abraham (Genesis 14:20) and Jacob (Genesis 28:22) gave a tenth of their proceeds as an offering of thanks, but the practice is not commanded in the New Testament. Instead, Christians are simply told to give “as he may prosper” every Sunday (1 Corinthians 16:2).
Surprisingly, anyone at any time is able to “redeem” their tithe. This means that someone could pay the monetary value of the tithe itself (such as the market value of the animal), with the caveat that they add a 20% surcharge on the backend to discourage any greediness.
The fact that the tithe is casually mentioned at the end of Leviticus doesn’t mean it’s unimportant. In fact, I would argue that it’s location implies that the concept of the tithe builds on previous facts.
Consider the very last thing God says about the tithe. He argues that if someone were to buy it back, he shouldn’t “be concerned about whether it’s good or bad.” Both the thing offered and the substitute that is given in its place are holy.
The only reason you would understand that concept is if you know what holiness means. And what a sacrifice is supposed to be for. And what it means to be redeemed.
And the first place you’re going to find out the answers to all those questions is through Leviticus. Leviticus provides detailed guidelines on purity, sacrifice, and the various situations that can render an individual unclean. By understanding these laws, readers can discern why unclean status is temporary, as they outline the steps necessary for restoration and reintegration into the community. This cyclical approach to purity emphasizes the importance of ritual and the potential for redemption.
