How does 2 Chronicles 31:10 connect with Malachi 3:10 on tithing? Setting the Scene in 2 Chronicles 31 • After King Hezekiah reinstituted temple worship, the people “brought in abundantly the tithe of everything” (31:5). • Verse 10 records the priest’s report: “Since the offerings were brought to the house of the LORD, we have had enough to eat and plenty to spare, for the LORD has blessed His people, and this great abundance is left over”. • The heaps of provisions proved that honoring God first results in tangible, overflowing blessing (cf. Proverbs 3:9-10). Parallel Command in Malachi 3 “Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house. Test Me in this… See if I will not open the windows of heaven and pour out for you blessing without measure” (Malachi 3:10). • Same setting—God’s house, the storehouse. • Same requirement—bring the whole tithe. • Same promise—overflowing provision. Key Words and Phrases Shared by Both Passages • “Tithe/offerings” (Hebrew maʿăśēr, terûmâh) • “House of the LORD” / “storehouse” • “Food” and “blessing” abundant, “plenty to spare,” “without measure” These repeated terms tie the historical narrative (Chronicles) to the prophetic command (Malachi). The Principle Illustrated: Obedience Yields Overflow 2 Chronicles 31 gives the living illustration of what Malachi later presents as a test: 1. Obedience—People bring the tithe. 2. Provision—God supplies more than enough for His servants. 3. Overflow—Leftovers heap up; the “windows of heaven” appear wide open. Numbers 18:21; Deuteronomy 14:22-29; and Nehemiah 10:37-39 reinforce the same pattern. God’s Storehouse in Both Contexts • In Hezekiah’s day, chambers were built inside the temple to hold the heaps (2 Chronicles 31:11-12). • In Malachi’s day, the “storehouse” (ʾôtṣār) referred to those same temple rooms, now neglected. • The function never changed: sustenance for priests and Levites so worship could continue unhindered (cf. 1 Corinthians 9:13-14 for the New Covenant parallel). Lessons for Today • God links material blessing to faithful giving, not as a gamble but as a covenant promise (Luke 6:38; 2 Corinthians 9:6-8). • The historical record of Hezekiah’s revival proves that Malachi 3:10 is no empty challenge; the principle already worked once and still stands. • When believers honor the Lord with the “firstfruits of all their produce,” He responds with “barns filled with plenty” (Proverbs 3:9-10), enabling further generosity and sustained worship. |
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