In the Old Testament, thanksgiving was formally made through two of Israel's five sacrifices (Leviticus 7), and they were performed as a congregation gathered before the Lord’s house. The two sacrifices were directed to 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 Israel's 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, 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!
Today's Bible Reading
Old Testament
Ezekiel 44:1-45:12
New Testament
1 Peter 1:1-13
Psalms & Proverbs
Psalms 119:17-35
Proverbs 28:8-10
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