The Leviticon

The Leviticon is a study of the philosophy of giving to ministerial and priestly efforts based upon the logic and science

The Book Of Leviticus takes its name from the vector of the tribe of Levi—the Levites. As you know, the Levites were the priestly tribe among the twelve, and it was for them which God in His Infinite Wisdom instituted the “tithe--” or tenth of the production and increase of the other eleven tribes—as a type of “income tax” for the purpose of the support of these priests. The prevailing logic is that since they were predominantly involved with the things of God in the Temple, the Holy Of Holies, and such they could not “fend” for themselves; they did not have either the time or the opportunity.

The tithe—or “tithing—“ is a system which prevails into and throughout both the New Testament and contemporary society for various and sundry reasons, which will not be debated here. The salient portion of this “Leviticon,” or product of the philosophy of the support of the tribe of Levi, is that it is indeed logical.

I am of the belief that many of us have Jewish roots; skin color certainly has nothing to do with it. Lynne is an unusual human being: aside from being the best example of what we would call the “Elect” that you will ever see, she is the great-great grand-daughter of Dred Scott—and thereby placed historically at a nexus of importance. To all to all this, from my studies of our new Leviticon—she might also have the spirit of the tribe of Levi: this would explain how her fervor for the faith is so infectious (she is the direct reason I am saved today), why she is so consumed and virtually ferocious in her pursuit of the faith, and why ALL ELSE takes a back seat to her love for the Lord. She is singularly—in my experience—shall we say unique. Her life—in all of its aspects—is a priestly life. Her uniqueness has finally brought her to this point where her life—and mine—intersect with both the science and the philosophy of the Leviticon, and where our futures must lie.

Here is a quick statement on things regarding the tribe of Levi from a secular encyclopedia:

Le·vite (lê¹vìt´) noun, Bible. A member of the tribe of Levi but not descended from Aaron, chosen to assist the Temple priests.[1]

Levites, in the Old Testament, members of the tribe of Levi, son of Jacob, who acted as priests in the ancient kingdom of Judah (see Bible). The Levites later assumed a secondary, ceremonial role as the priesthood became the prerogative of the descendants of Aaron (also a descendant of Levi).[2]

lev·i·tate (lèv¹î-tât´) verb, intransitive & transitive; lev·i·tat·ed, lev·i·tat·ing, lev·i·tates; To rise or cause to rise into the air and float in apparent defiance of gravity.[3] (I just couldn’t resist a little Theoheurism here: to raise up, and fly, has its root definition from the word “levi…”

1. a. A tenth part of one's annual income contributed voluntarily or due as a tax, especially for the support of the clergy or church. b. The institution or obligation of paying tithes.

verb, intransitive; To pay a tithe. [Middle English, from Old English têotha. See tenth.] — tith¹a·ble (tì¹the-bel) adjective — tith¹er noun[4]

Numbers 18:26: “And to the Levites shalt thou speak, and say unto them, When ye take of the children of Israel the tithes which I have given you from them for your inheritance, then ye shall offer a heave-offering from it for Jehovah, the tenth of the tithe.” (Were you aware that the Levites were to tithe back a tithe to God—a tenth of a tenth!)

Malachi 3:8: “Will a man rob God? But ye rob me. And ye say, Wherein do we rob thee? In tithes and heave-offerings.” (Now I finally understand the adulteration of the teaching of some ministers who accuse those who do not tithe to their churches of “robbing God;” it turns out that HE is the robber if he doe not take a tenth of the tithe—the actual “heave-offering—“ and give it to God!)

Malachi 3:10: “ Bring the whole tithe into the treasure-house, that there may be food in my house, and prove me now herewith, saith Jehovah of hosts, if I open not to you the windows of the heavens, and pour you out a blessing, till there be no place for it.”

The first thing that must be understood is that the tithe was instituted for the Levites and Levitical descendants of the tribe of Aaron for their support; it was rarely money, and it is important to understand that it is for THESE TYPES OF PEOPLE—a priestly tribe that could not work. It is more difficult to establish tithing for an organization, etc.—but the discussion of these facts are not for this time. In point of fact, the type of giving I am discussing here—as I get around to my eventual point—is this type from the New Testament:

1Corinthians 9:13: “Do ye not know that they who labour at sacred things eat of the offerings offered in the temple; they that attend at the altar partake with the altar?”

Mark 12:41-44: ”And he sat down over against the treasury, and beheld how the multitude cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much. And there came a poor widow, and she cast in two mites, which make a farthing. And he called unto him his disciples, and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, This poor widow cast in more than all they that are casting into the treasury: for they all did cast in of their superfluity; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.”

Luke 21:1-4:: “And he looked up, and saw the rich men that were casting their gifts into the treasury. 2 And he saw a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites. 3 And he said, Of a truth I say unto you, This poor widow cast in more than they all: 4 for all these did of their superfluity cast in unto the gifts; but she of her want did cast in all the living that she had.”

The Jews were instructed to give to the Levites, the heave-offering to God, and to the Temple—as well as to the poor as part of their service to God. (So are we). One day Jesus sat at the Temple and watched people putting money into the offering boxes. Some people were rich and gave lots of money. Some gave money, but were unhappy about it. Then a poor woman, a widow, came up to the boxes.

The poor woman put two of the smallest coins there were in the offering box. The disciples with Jesus weren't very impressed, but Jesus said this woman has given more than any other today. How could that be? Jesus said it was because it was all she had.

In this day and age, and time, it is the spirit of giving that Christ is emphasizing—not the amount. The tithe was a perfect tax for the support of the Levites—and if properly adjudicated today, it still would be for those who serve the Lord and cannot work full-time. However, Jesus emphasized that giving as the heart dictated was the important way to give.

[1]Excerpted from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Third Edition © 1996 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Electronic version licensed from INSO Corporation; further reproduction and distribution in accordance with the Copyright Law of the United States. All rights reserved.

[3]Excerpted from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Third Edition © 1996 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Electronic version licensed from INSO Corporation; further reproduction and distribution in accordance with the Copyright Law of the United States. All rights reserved.

[4]Excerpted from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Third Edition © 1996 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Electronic version licensed from INSO Corporation; further reproduction and distribution in accordance with the Copyright Law of the United States. All rights reserved.

PROPERTY OF PARRC RESEARCH, INC., 2004-2010, ALL RIGHTS, TRADEMARKS AND COPYRIGHTS RESERVED