How does Numbers 31:39 connect to the principle of tithing in the Bible? Setting the Scene in Numbers 31 - Israel has just defeated Midian. God instructs Moses to divide the spoils. - Two equal halves are made: one for the warriors, one for the rest of Israel (Numbers 31:25–27). - From each half a set portion is given “as the LORD’s tribute” to support the priesthood (vv. 28–30). What Happens in Verse 39? “ ‘The donkeys numbered 30,500, with the LORD’s tribute being 61.’ ” (Numbers 31:39) - Of the 30,500 donkeys allotted to the soldiers, 61 are set aside for the LORD—exactly one out of every 500. - Eleazar the high priest receives this tribute on the LORD’s behalf (v. 29). A Familiar Principle: Giving God His Portion Although the ratio here Isaiah 1 in 500—not a tenth—several key ideas mirror the tithe: • Ownership: God is recognized as Owner of the victory and the plunder (Psalm 24:1). • First & Best: The tribute is taken before anyone enjoys the spoil (cf. Proverbs 3:9). • Support of Ministry: The gift sustains the priestly work, much like the Levitical tithe (Numbers 18:21–24). • Heart Posture: Willing obedience reflects gratitude, just as tithing was to be done “so that you may learn to fear the LORD your God always” (Deuteronomy 14:23). Parallels to the Tithe Throughout Scripture - Genesis 14:20—Abram gives Melchizedek “a tenth of everything.” - Genesis 28:22—Jacob vows, “of all that You give me I will surely give a tenth to You.” - Leviticus 27:30—“Every tenth of the land… belongs to the LORD.” - 2 Chronicles 31:5–6—The people bring heaps of the firstfruits and tithes to the temple. - Malachi 3:10—God invites Israel to “bring the whole tithe into the storehouse.” How Numbers 31:39 Enriches Our Understanding of Tithing - God’s claim is comprehensive—He asks for a portion of livestock taken in war just as He claims crops and herds raised at home. - The exact mathematics may vary, but the underlying expectation remains: honor the LORD with a clearly defined share of every increase. - The tribute underscores that spiritual leadership (priests/Levites) depends on the faithful giving of God’s people—an enduring pattern echoed in 1 Corinthians 9:13–14. Lessons for Today’s Believer • All income—salary, gifts, investment gains, or unexpected windfalls—originates with God and merits a deliberate offering. • Setting God’s portion aside first safeguards hearts from greed and reminds us that victory and success are His gifts (Deuteronomy 8:17–18). • Regular, proportional giving—whether exactly ten percent or more—expresses worship, trust, and partnership in God’s work (Luke 6:38; 2 Corinthians 9:6–8). • Numbers 31:39 models joyful precision: count the blessing, mark off God’s share, and release it gladly. |
    |