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Thanksgiving
November 19, 2011

The fourth Thursday of November is observed as day of Thanksgiving in the United States. Other countries similar observances at various times throughout the year. Even in my hometown of El Paso, Texas, local history records a thanksgiving feast by the Spanish Conquistadores that predates the feast celebrated as the mainstay of American history. While there is no Biblical record of holy day set aside for Thanksgiving, the practice is Biblical and is introduced through he offerings. Leviticus shows that peace offering could be used as an offering of thanksgiving.

Leviticus 7:11-15
And this is the law of the sacrifice of peace offerings, which he shall offer unto the LORD. If he offer it for a thanksgiving, then he shall offer with the sacrifice of thanksgiving unleavened cakes mingled with oil, and unleavened wafers anointed with oil, and cakes mingled with oil, of fine flour, fried. Besides the cakes, he shall offer for his offering leavened bread with the sacrifice of thanksgiving of his peace offerings. And of it he shall offer one out of the whole oblation for an heave offering unto the LORD, and it shall be the priest's that sprinkleth the blood of the peace offerings. And the flesh of the sacrifice of his peace offerings for thanksgiving shall be eaten the same day that it is offered; he shall not leave any of it until the morning.

While the peace offering of thanksgiving was a sacrifice, this shows that the Lord intended this to be a feast. No part of the sacrifice was to remain for the next day. This looks like a high-fat, high carbohydrate meal, as to be eaten with the meat is what today might be a donut. Other examples of thanksgiving can be found in the Bible.

Leviticus 22:29-30
And when ye will offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving unto the LORD, offer it at your own will. On the same day it shall be eaten up; ye shall leave none of it until the morrow: I am the LORD.

An offering of thanksgiving was given at the discretion of the offeror. Thanksgiving was not required. The only requirement was that the sacrifice not remain overnight. All of it was to be eaten that same day. Offerings of thanksgiving while not commanded by the Lord, became feasts for hte offeror. There are numerous psalms that reflect on thanksgiving. Music and thanksgiving went hand-in-hand and the psalms show that thanksgiving is a way to humble ourselves in the greatness of the Lord, so that we do not provoke his wrath like what was incurred during the time of wandering in the wilderness.

Psalm 95:1-11
O come, let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation. Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms. For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above all gods. In his hand are the deep places of the earth: the strength of the hills is his also. The sea is his, and he made it: and his hands formed the dry land. O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker. For he is our God; and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. Today if ye will hear his voice, Harden not your heart, as in the provocation, and as in the day of temptation in the wilderness: When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my work. Forty years long was I grieved with this generation, and said, It is a people that do err in their heart, and they have not known my ways: Unto whom I sware in my wrath that they should not enter into my rest.

Thanksgiving transcends into the New Testament. Paul writes about thanksgiving during several of his letters.

2 Corinthians 4:13-15
We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak; Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you. For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.

Thanksgiving will continue into the future. There are both Old Testament and New Testament prophetic verses that show thanksgiving will be part of the world tomorrow. For the end of this study, we will end in the final book of the Bible.

Revelation 7:9-12
After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb. And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God, Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.

As those of us in the United States prepare for Thanksgiving Day, we must remember that is a day of thanksgiving to the Lord for the bounty we have been given. Even during these tough economic times, we have blessings from God for which we must be thankful.

All verses are from the King James Version.
This site provided by Tom Laign. To all who may believe differently, I also extend peace and love.
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