In the Old Testament, thanksgiving was formally made through two of Israels’ five sacrifices Leviticus chapters 17, and they were performed as a congregation gathered before the Lord’s house.
The two sacrifices were made to direct their relationship with God and reflect the future and final sacrifice of the Lamb, the Son of God.
Scripture calls these thanksgiving sacrifices, the “meal offering” and the “peace offering. “
The first one was a bloodless offering and consisted of grain such as wheat or barley. It can be seen as representing a cornucopia of the harvest of good things which result from obedience and dedication to the Lord. It was given with thanksgiving from an expectant heart which acknowledged that a blessed life came from walking with the Lord.
The peace offering consisted of unleavened and leavened bread along with a flesh sacrifice. It symbolized communion with God in thankfulness that He is a faithful God of ultimate and true peace and a type of future communion in Christ Jesus.
The interesting thing about Israels’ method of thanksgiving is that it is very similar, symbolically, to the day of Thanksgiving in America.
It is exercised formally, within the congregation family, church, and nation, on a day set aside to celebrate the loving blessing and goodness of God.
It is a designated day to remind us that it is God who gives the power to get wealth, and it is God who makes our basket full, and it is God who gives us everlasting hope and life in a world that offers no peace and no guarantee of provision.
On this Thanksgiving Day, we can thank Him for His promises and His faithfulness to perform them!
Together, let us declare with David, Psalm 103:
"Bless the Lord, O my soul;
And all that is within me, bless His holy name!
2 Bless the Lord, O my soul,
And forget not all His benefits:
3 Who forgives all your iniquities,
Who heals all your diseases,
4 Who redeems your life from destruction,
Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,
5 Who satisfies your mouth with good things,
So that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.
6 The Lord executes righteousness
And justice for all who are oppressed.
7 He made known His ways to Moses,
His acts to the children of Israel.
8 The Lord is merciful and gracious,
Slow to anger, and abounding in mercy.
9 He will not always strive with us,
Nor will He keep His anger forever.
10 He has not dealt with us according to our sins,
Nor punished us according to our iniquities.
11 For as the heavens are high above the earth,
So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him;
12 As far as the east is from the west,
So far has He removed our transgressions from us.
13 As a father pities his children,
So the Lord pities those who fear Him.
14 For He knows our frame;
He remembers that we are dust.
15 As for man, his days are like grass;
As a flower of the field, so he flourishes.
16 For the wind passes over it, and it is gone,
And its place remembers it no more.
17 But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting
On those who fear Him,
And His righteousness to children's children,
18 To such as keep His covenant,
And to those who remember His commandments to do them.
19 The Lord has established His throne in heaven,
And His kingdom rules over all.
20 Bless the Lord, you His angels,
Who excel in strength, who do His word,
Heeding the voice of His word.
21 Bless the Lord, all you His hosts,
You ministers of His, who do His pleasure.
22 Bless the Lord, all His works,
In all places of His dominion.
Bless the Lord, O my soul!"
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