I totally agree. The history of Israel is much like any other great nation that rises and falls. This is in accordance with God's will. Why He does this is part of the deep mystery of His will. We only know it to be so. America is not so far behind the decline of other nations including the decline of nation of Israel. The only reason the nation of Israel has resurfaced is because of God's will.
You're right that God did not call it a tax but a tithe. In effect it is the same thing. It was mandated by God. I would disagree that it didn't have to do with roads, medicare, etc. In addition to looking after the care and feeding of the Levites and the support of His temple, the Levites also checked buildings for contaminates, inspected people of illnesses, etc. So there were some group benefit for the whole in the paying of the Levites that were beyond priestly ceremonial duties.
I don't basis my flat tax views on Abraham "giving ten percent" as I think this is a bit legalistic and misses the point. God requested a certain percentage be given by everyone-rich and poor. And that's the point-everyone was to give an equal share based upon the percentage of their income to the support of the institution. There could not be a fairer system in play. If everyone had to pay the same amount for government while receiving the same benefit, taxes would take on a new way it is viewed.
The man, Simeon, who was at the Temple in Jerusalem was quoting from Isaiah 49 and proclaiming that the Christ child IS Israel and therefore, ONLY those in Christ have been and will be part of Israel.
Again you are absolutely correct. You certainly won't get in an argument over that from me who has consistently stated the same thing. Paul even calls us "Israel". Israel consist of those believers in God through His Son and our Lord, Jesus Christ.
Other than Abraham, where is a 10th required by every person/individual? Where is the 10th of anything mentioned except for offerings/sacrifices? Now there is a bi-annual ‘first fruits’ , however, it does not say anything about it being a 10th. Can you please direct me to the passage that speaks specifically about every person/individual is required to give a 10th of all they earn to the Levites? As far as I know from the daily study I do, there was never a time when all were required to give, every person 21 and older, Ex 30:12-15, however, the amount required was not a 10th, it was a half shekel ... v. 15 “The rich does not give more and the poor does not give less than half a shekel, when you give a contribution to YHWH, to make atonement for yourselves. And notice, it was a one time contribution for atonement, it was not an annual event.
As for the Levites who “also checked buildings for contaminates, inspected people of illnesses, etc.,” this was all part of their duties as priests so to keep the land & the Temple from being defiled and thus God had already accounted for this in the bi-annual first fruits & tithes or the weekly sacrificial offering some chose to bring. There is no mention that I can find in all of the Pentateuch that says the tithe must be a tenth of all. There is the 10th animal, there is the 10th of an ephah of grain, or a 10th of a hin of oil, however, where is the 10th of all that comes in that you are speaking of because it certainly is not associated with the passage that speaks of the rich & poor give the same amount.