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78 YEHOVAH’s Tithe in Scripture

of that which is leavened, and proclaim freewill offerings, and publish them; for this liketh
you, O ye children of Israel (Amos 4:5).

These sarcastic words seem to bid the people go on in their rebellion, reminding them, how-
ever, that they were already suffering punishment. “I also have given you cleanness of teeth in all
your cities, and want of bread in all your places; yet have ye not returned unto Me, saith the Lord"
(Amos 4:6).

This is the first time we have met with the word “tithes” since its occurrence in the Penta-
teuch; but tithes are now mentioned in such a way as to suggest that they were normally paid by Is-
rael, only, in this case, for the worship of the golden calves. This condition of things, so far as Israel
was concerned, was brought to a close by the carrying away of the ten tribes to Babylon, about B.C.
721.

As for the kingdom of Judah, the established religion had been almost annihilated under
Ahaz, who sacrificed to the gods of Damascus, introduced strange worship into the temple, and then
shut up the doors of the house of the Lord, II Chronicles 28:22-24; II Kings 16:12.

This was the condition of things when Hezekiah came to the throne, and that monarch in the
first year of his reign re-opened the doors of the house of the Lord, II Chronicles 29:3. Incense and
burnt offering had ceased, and the vessels of the house of the Lord had been cast away under Ahaz,
II Chronicles 29:7-19. All this was at once changed by Hezekiah, who offered seven bullocks,
seven rams, seven lambs, and seven he-goats for a sin offering; the Levites and priests were restored
in the order prescribed by David; and the congregation offered 70 bullocks, 100 rams, and 200
lambs as burnt offerings. Also among the consecrated things were 600 oxen and 3,000 sheep; and
the house of God was set in order, II Chronicles 29:21, 32-35. After this Hezekiah observed the
Passover for fourteen days, giving for offerings 1,000 bullocks and 7,000 sheep; whilst the princes
added 1,000 bullocks and 10,000 sheep, II Chronicles 30:24.

Now, when the priests and Levites were thus re-appointed, the king’s portion of his sub-
stance for burnt offerings was arranged for the services according to the law; and Hezekiah com-
manded the people in Jerusalem to furnish the portion of the priests and Levites, that they might
give themselves to the law of the Lord; whereupon, as soon as the commandment was promulgated,
the children of Israel gave in abundance the first fruits of corn, wine, oil, and honey, and the tithe of
all things brought they in abundantly; whilst the people living in the towns of Judah brought in the
tithe of oxen and sheep, and the tithe of dedicated things, and laid them by heaps, II Chronicles
31:3-6.

Questioned concerning these heaps, the chief priest said, “Since the people began to bring
the oblations into the house of the Lord, we have eaten and had enough, and have left plenty; for the
Lord hath blessed His people; and that which is left is this great store." Then Hezekiah prepared
chambers in the house of the Lord, and the people brought faithfully oblations, tithes, and dedicated
things, over which two Levites were appointed chief rulers, with ten overseers under them, II
Chronicles 31:10-13. Besides this, another Levite was over the freewill offerings, and under him
were six assistants to distribute the oblations of the Lord to the Levites in their courses, and to the
priests in their cities; and in every town men were appointed to give portions to the priests, and to all

The Berean Voice July-August 2002