Chapter 2—Israel’s Support System
Israel’s monarchal government as a theocracy meant that religious faith was intimately linked with civil life. Under-girding the priestly Temple ministration and the national religion lay the divinely appointed financial plan of tithing.HUT 40.1
The practice of rendering to God a tithe (or tenth) of one’s increase in material goods appears as a definite part of the patriarchal religion from time immemorial (see Genesis 14:20; 28:22). The patriarchs probably used the tithes in special sacrifices and feasts to the Lord, although on one occasion Abraham gave a tithe of the spoils of war to Melchizedek, a priest of the true God in Canaan.HUT 40.2
At the establishment of the Israelite nation, sanctuary, and priesthood, God reaffirmed His right to the tithe: “All the tithe of the land, whether of seed of the land or of the fruit of the trees, is the Lord’s; it is holy to the Lord.... And all the tithe of herds and flocks, every tenth animal of all that pass under the herdsman’s staff, shall be holy to the Lord” (Leviticus 27:30-32). Now, however, the Lord directed that the tithe should form the major basis for the financial support of the tribe of Levi, which, receiving no home territory in Canaan, was appointed to care for the religious needs of the nation.—Numbers 18:21-24.HUT 40.3
The Levites (living in the 48 cities allotted to them throughout the tribal territories—Numbers 35:7) periodically gathered the tithes from the people. They in turn tithed what they received and brought this “tithe of the tithe” to the sanctuary storehouse chamber, where it was redistributed to the priests (and in later years to other Levitical personnel) who served in the sanctuary service and worship (see Numbers 18:26-28).HUT 40.4
This financial plan probably did not function at all in the period of the judges; we know that it lapsed at times during the monarchal era. But in periods of spiritual revival we catch glimpses of its operation. One of these occurred under King Hezekiah of Judah.—2 Chronicles 31:2-19.HUT 40.5
In response to the king’s command to “give the portion due to the priests and Levites” (verse 4), “the tithe of everything” (verse 5) began to flow into the Temple storehouse. Azariah the high priest exclaimed to the inquiring king. “Since they began to bring the contributions into the house of the Lord we have eaten and had enough and plenty left” (verse 10). This heartening news prompted Hezekiah to enlarge the storage areas and appoint officers to oversee the regular distribution of this support “to their brethren [Levites], old and young alike, by divisions” (verse 15; see also verses 11-19).HUT 40.6
When Nehemiah—appointed governor over the reestablished nation of Judah (fifth century B.C.)—led the Jews into a renewal of their covenant with God (see Nehemiah 9:38), he also led them to a commitment to revive the tithing system: “To bring to the Levites the tithes from our ground, for it is the Levites who collect the tithes in all our rural towns. And the priest, the son of Aaron, shall be with the Levites when the Levites receive the tithes; and the Levites shall bring up the tithe of the tithes to the house of our God, to the chambers, to the storehouse .... We will not neglect the house of our God.”—Nehemiah 10:37-39; cf. 12:44.HUT 41.1
During Nehemiah’s temporary absence from Judah (Nehemiah 13:6), however, the national purpose lapsed; the people backslid. On his return he remonstrated with the leadership: “Why is the house of God forsaken?” (Nehemiah 13:11). Once more the tithing system was restored, officers were reappointed to oversee distribution, and “Judah brought the tithe of the grain, wine, and oil into the storehouses” (Nehemiah 13:12).HUT 41.2
In Nehemiah’s second period of governorship God challenged His people through the prophet Malachi: “Will man rob God? Yet you are robbing me. But you say, ‘How are we robbing thee?’ In tithes and offerings. You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing me; the whole nation of you” (Malachi 3:8, 9). Following this severe criticism, God once more appeals to His people: “Bring the full tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house” (Malachi 3:10).HUT 41.3
From this overview of the biblical data, we find it evident that the Levitical worship was amply underwritten by a tithing system that operated on a storehouse principle. No one chose to give his tithe to a particular priest or group of priests. On the contrary, all the tithes of Israel were gathered by the Levites, who in turn brought a tithe of these goods and moneys to the storehouse areas of the Temple. At this location, appointed officers distributed sustenance in a regular manner and in proper amounts to the priests and other Levitical attendants who ministered directly in the service of the Temple. This national pulling together provided a coordinated support for the Temple personnel who gave full time to their respective spiritual ministries.HUT 41.4