Jacob's Vow to Tithe in Genesis 28:20-22
The story of Jacob's vow in Genesis 28 is important for the topic of tithing for several reasons:
1. Like Abraham, Jacob's vow takes place before Moses, Sinai, and the Levitical priesthood.
2. Jacob defines the tithe as "all" that God will give him. It is not limited only to spoils of war.
3. Jacob defines the tithe as applicable to an indefinite period of time. It is not limited only to one event.
4. The tithe is defined as being given directly to God. Jacob defines tithing as a religious act of giving something to God Himself.
5. Jacob's promise to tithe takes place in response to the grace and promises of God. It is not a response to becoming rich or winning a victory in battle.
Opponents of tithing usually spend most of their time attacking the story of Abraham by claiming his tithe was only a one-time event, a custom of Babylonians, or a voluntary thank offering. They also claim Melchizedek was a pagan priest (a claim made prominent by Dr. Russell Kelly) or that because the tithe was from spoils of war it is therefore an invalid comparison to the Levitical tithe.
However, in the story of Jacob these criticisms don't work so the approach of critics must be modified.
The most common criticisms of Jacob are the following:
1. Motive. Critics assert that Jacob was afraid, not trusting or that his intentions were not pure. The claim Jacob was manipulative, greedy, or deceitful and therefore his vow should be dismissed.
2. Lack of Fulfillment. Critics claim that because there is no record of Jacob fulfilling his vow therefore it can be dismissed.
3. Bargaining. The third criticism is that Jacob was bargaining and because the Levitical tithe was not subject to a bargain therefore Jacob's example is inapplicable.
4. Voluntary, Not Commanded. Critics of both Abraham and Jacob assert that tithe in both of these stories was not mandatory or a result of any law or commandment.
1. Like Abraham, Jacob's vow takes place before Moses, Sinai, and the Levitical priesthood.
2. Jacob defines the tithe as "all" that God will give him. It is not limited only to spoils of war.
3. Jacob defines the tithe as applicable to an indefinite period of time. It is not limited only to one event.
4. The tithe is defined as being given directly to God. Jacob defines tithing as a religious act of giving something to God Himself.
5. Jacob's promise to tithe takes place in response to the grace and promises of God. It is not a response to becoming rich or winning a victory in battle.
Opponents of tithing usually spend most of their time attacking the story of Abraham by claiming his tithe was only a one-time event, a custom of Babylonians, or a voluntary thank offering. They also claim Melchizedek was a pagan priest (a claim made prominent by Dr. Russell Kelly) or that because the tithe was from spoils of war it is therefore an invalid comparison to the Levitical tithe.
However, in the story of Jacob these criticisms don't work so the approach of critics must be modified.
The most common criticisms of Jacob are the following:
1. Motive. Critics assert that Jacob was afraid, not trusting or that his intentions were not pure. The claim Jacob was manipulative, greedy, or deceitful and therefore his vow should be dismissed.
2. Lack of Fulfillment. Critics claim that because there is no record of Jacob fulfilling his vow therefore it can be dismissed.
3. Bargaining. The third criticism is that Jacob was bargaining and because the Levitical tithe was not subject to a bargain therefore Jacob's example is inapplicable.
4. Voluntary, Not Commanded. Critics of both Abraham and Jacob assert that tithe in both of these stories was not mandatory or a result of any law or commandment.