More Money Than You Can Count: Tithes and First Fruits (Part 1) (Malachi 3:10; 2 Kings 7:2,19; Genesis 7:11,20; 8:2; 2 Peter 3:6)

In Malachi 3:10, the scripture says, "Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open (for) you the windows of heaven, and pour out (for) you a blessing, that (there shall) not (be room) enough (to receive it). [KJV]

[Italics represent those portions of the text not in the original scriptures, but added by the translators to give clarity].

This portion of scripture had always been a source of frustration to me, especially since I understood some of the Hebrew word meanings, and their implications.

WINDOWS of HEAVEN

First of all, the phrase "windows of heaven", is only used in Malachi 3:10; 2 Kings 7:2,19; and Genesis 7:11; 8:2. The visual imagery is from the flood, where God "opened the windows of heaven", and literally, oceans of water fell on the earth below. The scriptures indicate that the waters were so overwhelming, that they covered the highest mountain, by 15 cubits [Genesis 7:20], or approximately 22 1/2 feet. In fact, when Peter, by the Holy Spirit, refers to this event, the Greek word he uses describes an extreme overwhelming flood. It is where we get the English word "cataclysm" from.

EXTREME EXCESS

The context of 2 Kings 7:2,19, again speaks of a reversal of fortune, to the extent, that those being starved out by siege one day, were, by the word of the prophet Elisha, selling food for mere "pennies" the next day, because there was such excessive abundance.

In the context of Malachi 3:10, the scriptures are speaking of the same extreme excess of material abundance as is defined by the extreme flood of oceans of water covering the highest mountain of the earth. In other words, we represent the earth, and God's blessing, represents the oceans of cataclysmic flood, emptied out upon us.

POUR OUT / EMPTY OUT

The words "pour out" are one word in the Hebrew, but contrary to the English translation, do not speak of "pouring" something out, but rather "emptying" something out. The word is used 19 times in the OT, and literally means "to make empty" or "to empty out". It is used of emptying out sacks; emptying out containers; emptying out a sword from its scabbard. In each use, there is nothing left in the container which was emptied.

There is a huge difference from someone "pouring out" a glass of water from a pitcher, and totally "emptying" the pitcher of water. Again, the visual imagery is that of abundance, and understandably, to the point that the recipient cannot contain what is "emptied out", in the same way that the earth could not contain the oceans that were emptied out, but they overwhelmingly flooded the highest mountain.

ENOUGH

The word "enough", in the English, means "sufficiency", and in the Hebrew is compounded to form the English transliteration El Sadday, the God who is more than enough; more than sufficiency. The meaning being that the recipients of God's blessing will not have sufficiency to "contain" [as some scholars translate] the extravagant blessing of God.

Understanding the very graphic visual imagery of these words led to the dilemma and frustration over this verse. Despite religious and often well intentioned interpretations of this passage, the undeniable truth of God's word, is that anyone that follows God's prescription, will experience 'super abundance; beyond their capabilities to contain it; overwhelming; excessive; extreme material prosperity from God'. The harsh reality was that I did not know ANY BELIEVER that tithed, that fit into this category, nor could I find anyone else who knew anyone, who faithfully tithed, that was experiencing the fullness of this passage. Either God's word works; it is the truth; or it is not, and no amount of explaining it away will change that. The truth of the passage became clearer with examining the Greek text of the Old Testament [OT] scriptures.

SEPTUAGINT (LXX)

The Septuagint [LXX] is the Greek translation of the OT, that is quoted in the NT in over 95% of ALL OT references. To reiterate, the OT Greek translation of the scriptures, is what is referred to in over 95% of all OT references found in the NT, whether in quotes by Jesus; the Gospel writers; Paul; or any other NT writer. This is by no means stated to diminish, in any way, the Hebrew text, but often, the two texts complement and complete one another.

The LXX translation of Malachi 3:8-10 says:

"( Shall a man stomp on/insult God? For you stomp on/insult me. And you said, We stomped on/insulted you in what? In that the tenth parts/tithe, and the first-fruits are with you. (9) And looking away, you look away, and me you stomp on/insult. (10) The year is completed, and you carried in all the resources/all the produce into the storehouses, and there will be the ravaging/plunder in your houses. Restore/return indeed in this [i.e., the tithe and the first-fruits], says the LORD almighty! (And see) if I will not open to you the torrents of heaven, and pour out to you my blessing until (it is) enough/you are satisfied".

TITHES & FIRST FRUITS

First, what is clearly evident in this text, is that the reference, in the Hebrew, in Malachi 3:8, to tithes and "offerings", is, in the Greek text, specifically tithes and "first-fruits".

Secondly, what the Hebrew summarizes as "tithes", in verse 10, the LXX qualifies as "all the resources/all the produce" [i.e., tithes and first-fruits].

The key to more money than you can count, is giving BOTH tithes and first-fruits!

DIGGING DEEPER:

WINDOWS - The Hebrew is [arubbah], a feminine noun meaning "floodgate" or "window". Although the word is used 9 times in the OT, (Gen.7:11; 8:2; 2Kgs.7:2,19; Ecc.12:3; Is.24:18; 60:8; Hos.13:3; Mal.3:10), only the references cited above specifically add the phrase "windows of heaven".

POUR OUT - The Hebrew is (ruq), and literally means "to empty out". The verb can refer either to:

1) The container that is being emptied out, or

2) The contents of the container being emptied out.

ENOUGH - This is the Hebrew word (day), and is equally translated "enough" or "sufficient". The word occurs 39 times in the OT. The verse indicates that God's blessing will be so great, that people will reach their capacity to contain it quickly, to the point that they just cannot store enough of it, nor can they use it all up. The Dead Sea Scrolls text reads, I will, "...open the windows of heaven, and pour out the blessing for you, until it overflows".

OVERFLOWED

2 Peter 3:6 refers to the world being "overflowed" with water. The Greek word is (katakluzo), from (kata), an intensifier, and (kluzo), 'to overflow' or 'flood', meaning an extreme; excessive flood or inundation of water.

AFFIRMATION:

I choose to believe that God's word is true, even though my experience seems to contradict the evidence of the scriptures. I will not give up, until my experience reflects the standard of excellence presented in God's holy word.

You are God's Best and God's Best is Yours