SUMMARY
Malachi admonishes the people to return the tithe to the Lord (one-tenth of the yield of their land and flocks). Failure to do so is to rob God, but giving the tithe will “pour down for you an overflowing blessingBlessing is the asking for or the giving of God's favor. Isaac was tricked into blessing Jacob instead of his firstborn Esau. At the Last Supper Jesus offered a blessing over bread and wine. To be blessed is to be favored by God. More.”
ANALYSIS
The tithe was among the laws given in the TorahThe Torah is the law of Moses, also known as the first five books of the Bible. To many the Torah is a combination of history, theology, and a legal or ritual guide. More (Leviticus 27:30; Numbers 18:21-27; Deuteronomy 12:6, 14:22-29; see also NehemiahThe governor of Jerusalem who rebuilt the city walls after the exile. More 13:12). The tithes were given for the maintenance of the priests (descendants of AaronMoses' brother and spokesman, and Israel's first high priest. More) and Levites (non-Aaronic descendants of LeviSon of Jacob and Leah, brother to Reuben, Simeon, and Dinah. More, whose tasks were the maintenance of the TempleThe Jerusalem temple, unlike the tabernacle, was a permanent structure, although (like the tabernacle) it was a place of worship and religious activity. On one occasion Jesus felt such activity was unacceptable and, as reported in all four Gospels, drove from the temple those engaged... More), since they were not allotted land as a source of income (Numbers 18:21-24). Tithes were also used to fund community meals shared with the poor, the foreigners, and the Levites (Deuteronomy 14:28-29; 26:12-15).
The tithe discussion is a continuation of the previous discussions in Malachi about who is responsible for justice in the community. The answer, according to the prophet, is both the people and God. The people must not steal from God [and their landless neighbors] by withholding the tithe. God must not withhold rain or protection for crops.
