Taxes and Tithes

* Additions on 3rd July 2012
* Additions on 4th July 2012

Managing tithes and taxes.

With the recent case of the Commissioner of Charities arresting a group of pastors and administrators of a Church in Singapore, let us take a brief look at what the Bible says and what does GOD says about Tithes and Taxes.   

Throughout the Kingdom of Israel and of Judah, there were many evil Kings who continued to extract exorbitant Temple taxes from ordinary citizens well after the first Temple was completed for their own personal gain.   May it be by the Grace of God that today’s Levites and Governors of Israel would have learnt the lessons from the Bible and do not make the same evil and selfish mistakes that the Kings of Old had done.

*  Taxation

Today’s tax systems mainly stems from the first empire that developed a comprehensive tax system (the Kingdom of Rome).

The 4 Kingdoms as in the book of Daniel :-

i)                  Lion with wings – Babylon,

ii)               Bear – Medo-Persian,

iii)            Leopard with wings and 4 heads – Greek Macedonian Empire of Alexander the Great and later his kingdom was divided by its 4 Generals – hence the leopard with 4 heads,

iv)             Terrible beast with 10 horns – Rome and later its subdivided kingdoms. 

The first 3 Kingdoms did not impose tax systems similar to Rome but they exacted heavy tributes from each region it conquers including Jerusalem.   Tributes to the brutal beastly Kings/Emperors in those days were for their own personal gain and amusement, in addition to expanding their army and borders.

No different from Rome when they used the tax collections for lining the pockets of the Emperor of Rome and expanding its army, all in the name of modernizing the world. 

Banking industry, Weapons industry and Animal husbandry – What do these have in common? – Slaughtering – and all nations of the world succumb to it.  But the LORD is determined to put an end to it just as HE did to King Nimrod and the Tower of Babel.

Isaiah 2

New King James Version (NKJV)

The Future House of God
2:1 The word that Isaiah the son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem.
² Now it shall come to pass in the latter days
That the mountain of the Lord’s house
Shall be established on the top of the mountains,
And shall be exalted above the hills;
And all nations shall flow to it.
³ Many people shall come and say,
“Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord,
To the house of the God of Jacob;
He will teach us His ways,
And we shall walk in His paths.”
For out of Zion shall go forth the law,
And the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.
⁴ He shall judge between the nations,
And rebuke many people;
They shall beat their swords into plowshares,
And their spears into pruning hooks;
Nation shall not lift up sword against nation,
Neither shall they learn war anymore.

Tithes

*   What are tithes for?

*   To whom do we submit our tithes to?

*   Who initiated the tithing practise?

 

Who initiated the tithing practise?  

There were records of Abraham (Genesis 14) tithing Melchizedek and Jacob (Genesis 28) promised to give a tenth to the LORD Most High. 10% was just a suggested amount by Jacob.   

Tithes can be at any amount or any materials called freewill offering.

Original Tithing to GOD was always initiated by the giver and not the receiver.   
You do not force a tithe for it may become spiteful in the end. 
 

* Where government taxes are predetermined and enforced by the government, tithes are the other way around.  
Examples of a spiteful giver and a cheerful giver - Cain and Abel. 
 

2 Corinthians 9:7

New King James Version (NKJV)

⁷ So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.

Genesis 14

New King James Version (NKJV)
^14:18 Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine; he was the priest of God Most High. ¹⁹ And he blessed him and said:
“Blessed be Abram of God Most High,
Possessor of heaven and earth;
²⁰ And blessed be God Most High,
Who has delivered your enemies into your hand.”
And he gave him a tithe of all.

Genesis 28:22

New King James Version (NKJV)
^28:22 And this stone which I have set as a pillar shall be God’s house, and of all that You give me I will surely give a tenth to You.”

Exodus 35:29

New King James Version (NKJV)
²⁹ The children of Israel brought a freewill offering to the Lord, all the men and women whose hearts were willing to bring material for all kinds of work which the Lord, by the hand of Moses, had commanded to be done.


Mark 12
New King James Version (NKJV)
The Widow’s Two Mites
^12:41 Now Jesus sat opposite the treasury and saw how the people put money into the treasury. And many who were rich put in much. ⁴² Then one poor widow came and threw in two mites,^[j] which make a quadrans. ⁴³ So He called His disciples to Himself and said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all those who have given to the treasury; ⁴⁴ for they all put in out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all that she had, her whole livelihood.”

To whom do we submit our tithes to?

Tithes in the book of Exodus, Leviticus and Deuteronomy are strictly for GOD and the High Priests of God the Levites are appointed as administrators or inheritors of the collection of tithes into be put into treasure houses for later dispensing (not for personal gain or secret use).

You DO NOT apply to be a High Priest of GOD.  

The LORD Most High is the only ONE that does the appointment and anointing of the High Priests. 

It is the same as being born-again, where the Holy Spirit of the LORD will come to anoint His People at His own time.

You DO NOT stand in a queue waiting for God’s anointing in some church by some pastor to blow his spirit on you – that is utter nonsense. 

Self appointed Roman Catholic or other Christian denominations who call themselves High Priests do not have the same authority as Melchizedek or the Levites.

All Gentiles and all the other tribes of Israel when anointed by God are only allowed up to a stage of being a high priest only for themselves to be able to approach God in solitude prayer and through your individual prayers the LORD Most High listens and considers each and every genuine prayer.  

Even Prophets of old who are also High Priests like Samuel only anoints a person like Saul or David to be King upon the commandment from GOD HIMSELF. 

Not just anyone can execute an animal sacrifice except the Levites who are the only ones on this earth appointed by GOD to perform acceptable Temple sacrifices and offerings or “Korban” in its proper place and settings of a Temple in Jerusalem. 

* All Gentile pagans, the other 11 tribes of Israel and even Muslims under the Islam religion are NOT allowed to perform animal sacrifices as it is considered as witchcraft and NONE of their animal sacrifices are considered acceptable by the LORD Most High.    

Everything must go by its proper appointment or channel as it was set forth according to the Torah.   

Times before Moses; Abel, Noah, Abraham also performed sacrifices to the LORD under direct strict instructions from the LORD Most High as a sign and a covenant bond relationship.  
After Moses, only the Levites were appointed to carry on the ceremonies and offerings on behalf of all peoples and nations.  
The LORD no longer require individuals to sacrifice animals unto the LORD as in the days before Moses because the LORD has chosen ISRAEL as a Son of God to act on our behalf.  
We cannot have people burning sacrifices everywhere due to the expanded population and mankind that have always proved to be prone to misguided abuse of power as they will surely turn it into an abomination. 

Is tithing compulsory to everybody both Jews and Gentiles?

God only made it a commandment to Moses and all of Israel;

Gentiles are not required by law to tithe.

Will giving tithes means that a person is saved and go to heaven?  NO.

Giving tithes has NOTHING to do with Salvation or eternal life.

However, all nations of the world are welcome to give freewill tithes to the LORD’s Temple in Jerusalem if you wish to seek the services of the Temple in Jerusalem.

Gentiles are free to make donations for the growth of their own Church or community development programmes or charities and etc. 

Biblical tithes are not to be mixed up with government taxes or donations. 

Leviticus 27

New King James Version (NKJV)
^27:30 And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land or of the fruit of the tree, is the Lord’s. It is holy to the Lord.


Malachi 3
New King James Version (NKJV)
Do Not Rob God

^3:8 “Will a man rob God?
Yet you have robbed Me!
But you say,
‘In what way have we robbed You?’
In tithes and offerings.
⁹ You are cursed with a curse,
For you have robbed Me,
Even this whole nation.
¹⁰ Bring all the tithes into the storehouse,
That there may be food in My house,
And try Me now in this,”
Says the Lord of hosts,
“If I will not open for you the windows of heaven
And pour out for you such blessing
That there will not be room enough to receive it.

¹¹ “And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes,
So that he will not destroy the fruit of your ground,
Nor shall the vine fail to bear fruit for you in the field,”
Says the Lord of hosts;
¹² “And all nations will call you blessed,
For you will be a delightful land,”
Says the Lord of hosts.

What are tithes for?

Biblical Tithes are SOLELY for the inheritance of the Levites, educating the world on the knowledge of GOD (it has nothing to do with the conversion style of Christianity where everybody goes to hell except the Christians or the cage imprisonment-like style of Islam's Sharia Law), the maintenance of Temple services, the growth of the City of Jerusalem and feeding and clothing of every poor stranger, fatherless and the widow that comes to seek the LORD.  

Today in many countries, donations to specific charities are tax exempted. 

Biblical “Tithes” are not for pagan religions, Christianity and Islam.  For non-Israelites, all monies given to various religious organisations and charities are merely considered by God as donations or pools of collections of money or goods for the purpose of charity or building, churches, hospitals, orphanages or old-folks homes for the poor and needy & etc.   
In the case of Ananias and Sapphira in the book of Acts, it is not about God asking you to sell your house and forcing you to give 100% of your proceeds for charity. 


It is about what amount you have declared or decided to offer to the LORD but later decided to give less.  Ananias and Sapphira could have declared or offered up just 10% of their proceeds and actually give 10%; but no, perhaps they wanted to appear wealthy or very generous that they declared to offer up 100% of their proceeds before the Apostles’ feet  but only gave maybe 80% in actual fact while keeping 20% for their own secret use.  It is NEVER about the amount but it is and always has been about the LIES that people dare to make before the name of the LORD and the penalty is death.  Whether a slow death or very quickly like Ananias and Sapphira, it all depends on the LORD.  Repent and turn from your lies and deception.                    

Deuteronomy 26:12

“When thou hast made an end of tithing all the tithes of thine increase the third year, which is the year of tithing, and hast given it unto the Levite, the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, that they may eat within thy gates, and be filled;”

Acts 5

New King James Version (NKJV)

Lying about amount of donations

5:1 But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession. ² And he kept back part of the proceeds, his wife also being aware of it, and brought a certain part and laid it at the apostles’ feet. ³ But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself? ⁴ While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.”

⁵ Then Ananias, hearing these words, fell down and breathed his last. So great fear came upon all those who heard these things. ⁶ And the young men arose and wrapped him up, carried him out, and buried him.

⁷ Now it was about three hours later when his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. ⁸ And Peter answered her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for so much?”

She said, “Yes, for so much.”

⁹ Then Peter said to her, “How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.” ¹⁰ Then immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. And the young men came in and found her dead, and carrying her out, buried her by her husband. ¹¹ So great fear came upon all the church and upon all who heard these things.

 

Acts 6

New King James Version (NKJV)

Seven Chosen to Serve

6:1 Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution. ² Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables. ³ Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business; ⁴ but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”

⁵ And the saying pleased the whole multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch, ⁶ whom they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid hands on them.

⁷ Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith.

Tithes are NOT to be used for paying individual taxes be it the High Priest or the highest government official.  Even Jesus and Peter did not take from their donations money box to pay their taxes. (Matthew 17)                      

MATTHEW 17 (New King James Version)

Peter and His Master Pay Their Taxes

²⁴ When they had come to Capernaum, those who received the temple tax came to Peter and said, “Does your Teacher not pay the temple tax?”

²⁵ He said, “Yes.”

And when he had come into the house, Jesus anticipated him, saying, “What do you think, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth take customs or taxes, from their sons or from strangers?”

²⁶ Peter said to Him, “From strangers.”

Jesus said to him, “Then the sons are free. ²⁷ Nevertheless, lest we offend them, go to the sea, cast in a hook, and take the fish that comes up first. And when you have opened its mouth, you will find a piece of money; take that and give it to them for Me and you.”

I personally believe that JESUS was well taken care (money wise) of during His 3 and a half years Ministry on earth 2000 years ago. Yes, the 3 wise men gave JESUS treasure chests when He was born and yes, during HIS ministry, HE had a “greedy” (John 12:6) treasurer Judas Iscariot who kept and managed the donations in a money box.


John 12:6
New King James Version (NKJV)
^12:6 This he said, not that he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and had the money box; and he used to take what was put in it.

I was baffled when I heard a sermon (Was Jesus Poor – Part 2) by Pastor Kong Hee, that he had replaced the "MIRACLE" in the message of feeding the 5000 to a "PURCHASE of food by the Disciples with donations money that was given to JESUS".

I wonder how many OTHER Pastors out there in this world who also took away the "Miracle of multiplying the five loaves and two fish" and turning the message into "asking his disciples to go and buy enough food to feed all those people using their pool of donations in His money box???."


We have false preachers teaching that there are no miracles and some teach that Jesus never rose from the dead and some preach that Jesus did not die on the cross and the list of false ideas goes on and on. 


Dearest Preachers, You cannot just simply amend and interpret the Bible according to your own interpretation and fancy. 

Matthew 14 and 15 are simple stories that even little children can see.  Jesus blessed and broke the bread and the fish and those alone became the plenteous food that fed all those people.  

NOWHERE did it mention that JESUS had asked the Disciples to open up the money box to feed the 5 thousand people. 

The money box was only used from time to time when it has money in it for distribution to the poor and for their travelling ministry expenses.   There are times when they do not have a single cent in the box; especially when Jesus sent the Disciples out two by two without any money or extra clothes.    

They were at the mercy and hospitality of strangers.  This is one of the ways on how you can tell the difference between good people from the wicked ones. (Mark 6:7-13)

Mark 6
New King James Version (NKJV)
Sending Out the Twelve

^6:7 And He called the twelve to Himself, and began to send them out two by two, and gave them power over unclean spirits. ⁸ He commanded them to take nothing for the journey except a staff—no bag, no bread, no copper in their money belts— ⁹ but to wear sandals, and not to put on two tunics.

¹⁰ Also He said to them, “In whatever place you enter a house, stay there till you depart from that place. ¹¹ And whoever will not receive you nor hear you, when you depart from there, shake off the dust under your feet as a testimony against them. Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city!”

¹² So they went out and preached that people should repent. ¹³ And they cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick, and healed them.

 Matthew 14

New King James Version (NKJV)

Feeding the Five Thousand

¹³ When Jesus heard it, He departed from there by boat to a deserted place by Himself. But when the multitudes heard it, they followed Him on foot from the cities. ¹⁴ And when Jesus went out He saw a great multitude; and He was moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick. ¹⁵ When it was evening, His disciples came to Him, saying, “This is a deserted place, and the hour is already late. Send the multitudes away, that they may go into the villages and buy themselves food.”

¹⁶ But Jesus said to them, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.”

¹⁷ And they said to Him, “We have here only five loaves and two fish.”

¹⁸ He said, “Bring them here to Me.” ¹⁹ Then He commanded the multitudes to sit down on the grass. And He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, He blessed and broke and gave the loaves to the disciples; and the disciples gave to the multitudes. ²⁰ So they all ate and were filled, and they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments that remained. ²¹ Now those who had eaten were about five thousand men, besides women and children.

MATTHEW 15 (New King James Version)

Feeding the Four Thousand

³² Now Jesus called His disciples to Himself and said, “I have compassion on the multitude, because they have now continued with Me three days and have nothing to eat. And I do not want to send them away hungry, lest they faint on the way.”

³³ Then His disciples said to Him, “Where could we get enough bread in the wilderness to fill such a great multitude?”

³⁴ Jesus said to them, “How many loaves do you have?”

And they said, “Seven, and a few little fish.”

³⁵ So He commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground. ³⁶ And He took the seven loaves and the fish and gave thanks, broke them and gave them to His disciples; and the disciples gave to the multitude. ³⁷ So they all ate and were filled, and they took up seven large baskets full of the fragments that were left. ³⁸ Now those who ate were four thousand men, besides women and children. ³⁹ And He sent away the multitude, got into the boat, and came to the region of Magdala.

*

The case of betrayal and unwillingness to forgive or is it inability to repent and ask for forgiveness?

Let’s examine for a while on the case of Judas Iscariot of whom the LORD said, “It would have been good for that man if he had not been born.”

We know that Judas Iscariot was named as one of the twelve disciples (Mark 3:19).

We know that Judas Iscariot was called a thief (John 12:6).

In Matthew 26:8, Judas Iscariot was not the only one indignant with the LORD allowing the woman to pour costly fragrant oil on His head. 

Although they had many wealthy people donating to Jesus, the money was also constantly being given out to the poor.   Since Judas was in-charge of the money box and money was probably running low; he was thinking on how to raise more money by selling the costly jar of perfume.  Remember that Jesus had earlier sent them out on a mission two by two without any money.  The suffering they had to endure at some townships; some of the Disciples were on a brink of throwing a temper, including Judas Iscariot.  Immediately after the fragrant oil episode, Judas Iscariot went to the Chief Priests for money as he had heard that they were giving out money for knowledge and whereabouts of Jesus. (Matthew 26:14) It was all about madness of fund raising was it not?

Which leads us to think why Jesus did not rebuke or chastise Judas when everybody knew Judas was stealing from the money box?  Perhaps all the other Disciples also thought that it was harmless to use some of the donation money here and there to buy clothes or food for their own families and for themselves.  After all, perhaps they thought he had the right to take from the money box as salary or a worker’s rightful remuneration since they had given up their full time jobs as fishermen.  RIGHT?  

My grandmother on my father’s side, have this wonderful terminology for stealing and that was as she would put it “TAKE”.  When my mother accused her of stealing stuff, grandmother would tell her not to use the word steal and said that she have every right to TAKE my mother’s things (without permission and never returning them) because she is family.

Dictionary:-
– STEAL
i)                    Take (something) without permission or legal right and without intending to return it. – dishonestly pass off (another person’s ideas) as one’s own.

– THIEF 
i)      a person who steals another person’s property.

We are merely STEWARDS of this planet and everything in it.   The LORD Most High is the true owner of everything.  But if we let the things in this world seduce us to a point that we FORGET that we are merely stewards of the LORD then, it can be overwhelming to a point that we will choose to forego our stewardship and start to “take” everything that does not belong to us and pretend to make it our own.  If anything in this world can be called your own thing, then you should be able to bring it with you when you die but you cannot, can you? Naked was how you came into this world and naked is how you will leave this world.   Repent and do not let the things of this world blind you to the truth about who you are and who the LORD is.

*

Luke 12:42

King James Version (KJV)
^12:42 And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season?

Only when we realise and accept the fact that we are stewards of the LORD, then the problems of obsession over possessions will significantly reduce by itself.  

Obsessed over getting a bigger house, a more expensive car or branded goods; obsessed about finding ways to earn more money.

People always obsess and stress over issues of possessions of things and even of each other. 

Obsession over spouses and parents stress and obsess over their children.  Each of us belongs to the LORD Most High and we are mere stewards of each other, looking after each other.  
When we know that nothing really belongs to us, then we start to respect each other in a completely different way.  We will learn to develop true courtesy and respect for each other.  We will not be thinking of invading countries or another person's life so recklessly. 

A wife looking after her husband, a husband looking after his wife, parents looking after their children or children looking after their parents when they are old.     

Some people get divorced because they might feel that their spouse is overly possessive (and some to a point of physical and verbal abuse)  and that can cause unnatural fear.

Parents can be so obsessed in controlling or running their children’s lives until some of their children have a nervous breakdown, or run away from home or commit suicide. 

King Nimrod wanted to sever all knowledge of his creator by making people think that this world belongs to him through his display of mastery over all things and through building the mighty tower of Babel as a demonstration of his resourcefulness.

Sounds like today’s sales and advertising facade where the appearance of the item advertised can be so propped up and buffed up to appear par excellence but in fact some of the things advertised are not always as good as they appear to be. 

Judas Iscariot probably started off as a faithful Disciple but the fiery trials of TRUE DISCIPLESHIP did not reveal the gold but regurgitated all the scum that was in him.  Before Judas Iscariot hanged himself, he never asked the LORD for forgiveness because that is the way some people are. 
Judas did not believe that he did anything wrong at first when he received money for giving away information about Jesus.  It was probably just a normal sale and purchase transaction to him.  
Judas could not have perceived that Jesus could be killed because of what he had done.  Everybody was thinking that nothing bad can ever happen to Jesus since HE was the Messiah. 
Judas Iscariot returned the 30 pieces of silver only after seeing what they did to Jesus.  
They do not see what they did was wrong because they are right in their own eyes.

Isaiah 5:21
New King James Version (NKJV)
²¹ Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes,
And prudent in their own sight!

Isaiah 29:13

New King James Version (NKJV)
¹³ Therefore the Lord said:
“Inasmuch as these people draw near with their mouths
And honor Me with their lips,
But have removed their hearts far from Me,
And their fear toward Me is taught by the commandment of men,

Would Jesus forgive Judas Iscariot if he had repented like Simon Peter?  Yes, Jesus would probably forgive him like he did Peter.

Why Jesus did not pardon Judas anyway?   

By his own deeds and unrepentant heart, Judas Iscariot had condemned himself and righteous is our LORD who shall render each one according to his deeds – to the Jews first and also the Gentiles.

In Exodus 23:21, it is said that an Angel of the LORD (either Michael or Gabriel) will not pardon your transgressions if you provoke him by disobeying him.  Are we having bad temper here? Anger management issues?   Most probably it was Gabriel because look what was done to Zacharias the father of John the Baptist, who was struck dumb for 9 months because of his unbelief (Luke chapter 1).   


The LORD has even caused messengers and kings to learn about forgiveness.

Most of the time, people do not go around forgiving those who have wronged them or done them harm.  Sometimes avoiding them is all we can do. 

When we forgive an unrepentant person who has done us wrong, it is not to condone what they have done but only to save ourselves from brimming with hatred and anger which will destroy our soul.   Knowing that we have a righteous judge from above, who shall take vengeance on our behalf, let us together learn to let go of our past hatred and anger. 

Psalm 99:8

New King James Version (NKJV)

^99:8 You answered them, O Lord our God;
You were to them God-Who-Forgives,
Though You took vengeance on their deeds.

Romans 2

New King James Version (NKJV)

God’s Righteous Judgment

2:1 Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things.

² But we know that the judgment of God is according to truth against those who practice such things.
³ And do you think this, O man, you who judge those practicing such things, and doing the same, that you will escape the judgment of God?
⁴ Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?
⁵ But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God,
⁶ who “will render to each one according to his deeds”:
⁷ eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality;
⁸ but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness—indignation and wrath,
⁹ tribulation and anguish, on every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek;
¹⁰ but glory, honor, and peace to everyone who works what is good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. ¹¹ For there is no partiality with God.

Matthew 26

New King James Version (NKJV)

The Anointing at Bethany

^26:6 And when Jesus was in Bethany at the house of Simon the leper, ⁷ a woman came to Him having an alabaster flask of very costly fragrant oil, and she poured it on His head as He sat at the table. ⁸ But when His disciples saw it, they were indignant, saying, “Why this waste? ⁹ For this fragrant oil might have been sold for much and given to the poor.”

¹⁰ But when Jesus was aware of it, He said to them, “Why do you trouble the woman? For she has done a good work for Me. ¹¹ For you have the poor with you always, but Me you do not have always. ¹² For in pouring this fragrant oil on My body, she did it for My burial. ¹³ Assuredly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told as a memorial to her.”

Judas Agrees to Betray Jesus

¹⁴ Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests ¹⁵ and said, “What are you willing to give me if I deliver Him to you?” And they counted out to him thirty pieces of silver. ¹⁶ So from that time he sought opportunity to betray Him.

Jesus Celebrates Passover with His Disciples

¹⁷ Now on the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying to Him, “Where do You want us to prepare for You to eat the Passover?”
¹⁸ And He said, “Go into the city to a certain man, and say to him, ‘The Teacher says, “My time is at hand; I will keep the Passover at your house with My disciples.”’”
¹⁹ So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them; and they prepared the Passover.
²⁰ When evening had come, He sat down with the twelve. ²¹ Now as they were eating, He said, “Assuredly, I say to you, one of you will betray Me.”
²² And they were exceedingly sorrowful, and each of them began to say to Him, “Lord, is it I?”
²³ He answered and said, “He who dipped his hand with Me in the dish will betray Me. ²⁴ The Son of Man indeed goes just as it is written of Him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been good for that man if he had not been born.”
²⁵ Then Judas, who was betraying Him, answered and said, “Rabbi, is it I?”
He said to him, “You have said it.”

Exodus 23

New King James Version (NKJV)
The Angel and the Promises

^23:20 “Behold, I send an Angel before you to keep you in the way and to bring you into the place which I have prepared. ²¹ Beware of Him and obey His voice; do not provoke Him, for He will not pardon your transgressions; for My name is in Him. ²² But if you indeed obey His voice and do all that I speak, then I will be an enemy to your enemies and an adversary to your adversaries. ²³ For My Angel will go before you and bring you in to the Amorites and the Hittites and the Perizzites and the Canaanites and the Hivites and the Jebusites; and I will cut them off. ²⁴ You shall not bow down to their gods, nor serve them, nor do according to their works; but you shall utterly overthrow them and completely break down their sacred pillars.

²⁵ “So you shall serve the Lord your God, and He will bless your bread and your water. And I will take sickness away from the midst of you. ²⁶ No one shall suffer miscarriage or be barren in your land; I will fulfill the number of your days.

²⁷ “I will send My fear before you, I will cause confusion among all the people to whom you come, and will make all your enemies turn their backs to you. ²⁸ And I will send hornets before you, which shall drive out the Hivite, the Canaanite, and the Hittite from before you. ²⁹ I will not drive them out from before you in one year, lest the land become desolate and the beasts of the field become too numerous for you. ³⁰ Little by little I will drive them out from before you, until you have increased, and you inherit the land. ³¹ And I will set your bounds from the Red Sea to the sea, Philistia, and from the desert to the River.^[b] For I will deliver the inhabitants of the land into your hand, and you shall drive them out before you. ³² You shall make no covenant with them, nor with their gods. ³³ They shall not dwell in your land, lest they make you sin against Me. For if you serve their gods, it will surely be a snare to you.”