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Thanksgiving ( of 14)

Introduction It’s been about a month since the last of the fall holy

days concluded. As the weather becomes colder and the leaves fall to

the ground, we can lose sight of the lessons that our Almighty Father has given to us through those commanded assemblies.

As the “holiday” season approaches and look around us, we see a repeated pattern of mankind… and its rearing its ugly head once again.

While many will claim that they are honoring the Saviour by their actions and attitude, research proved this to be a false foundation.

Knowing this, we must refocus our practices and actions on what would be pleasing to our Maker.

One such action is simply praise and thank Him: Psalms 92:1: It is good to give thanks to Yahweh, and to sing praises to Your name, O Most High.

A couple of days ago, the United States celebrated Thanksgiving Day.

As one reflects on how individuals spent that day, one questions what that day really means to them: For some, just a day off from work. Others enjoy the parades, football and food. Many see it as the day before “Black Friday” and

the frenzy of Christmas shopping. Why even consider a national occasion to pause and

give thanks? Is it really that important? If it is, then to what… or

more specifically… to whom… should we give thanks?


History in North America One way to understand Thanksgiving Day these days

is to look at its history in North America. In addition to the officially designated United States

national celebration on the 4th Thursday of November, Canada celebrates on the 2nd Monday in October.

1578: Likely first held in Newfoundland by an English minister named Robert Woolfall (no harvest that 1st

year). 1607: 1st permanent colony at Jamestown (Virginia)

Settlement. 1620: Pilgrims (making the “pilgrimage”) @

Plymouth Colony. Held 1st Thanksgiving in 1621. After arriving in November 1620, their first winter

had been filled with hardship: Little food except the game they hunted. Only crude bark shelters to live in. Much sickness (46 of the original 102 colonists

who sailed on the Mayflower died during the first winter).

They looked to the entire Bible, both Old and New Testaments, for direction and inspiration.

After a good harvest the following year, the Pilgrims wanted to display their deep thankfulness to Yahweh for the help, guidance and progress the colony had been given.

They held a 3 day feast, inviting local Indians who had helped them survive their first year.


1629: Massachusetts Bay Colony (Boston area, just north of the Pilgrims' colony of Plymouth), was founded mostly by Puritans. They also looked to the entire Bible for inspiration. Differences between the 2 groups centered around

their approach to church reform: Pilgrims:

Protestants wanting a split from the Church of England.

People were of the middle class and were jewelers, bankers, and housekeepers.

Puritans: Protestants wanting to reform the Church of

England. Were upper class and were of somewhat royalty

due to the fact that they were related to dukes and duchesses.

Eventually these groups merged together. 1639: Although records from the early years are

incomplete, a proclamation of thanksgiving for September 1639 survives, as do proclamations for 1644 and for every year from 1649 onwards.

1775: Thanksgiving Day was celebrated by the Continental Army besieging the British troops in Boston.

1777: Thanksgiving was for the first time proclaimed by a national authority, the Continental Congress, for all 13 states. It was kept on December 18th by General George Washington and his troops at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania.


1789: President George Washington wrote a Thanksgiving Proclamation, stating “It is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of the Almighty, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits... that we may all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection... for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty which we have enjoyed... and, in general, for all the great and various favors which He has been pleased to confer upon us... that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech Him to pardon our national and other transgressions.”

1863: President Abraham Lincoln thought it important enough to make it a national holiday. He set aside one day a year to honor the Almighty

and thank Him for the rich blessings He had poured out on this nation.

His Thanksgiving Proclamation dated October 3, 1863, states (in part): “I do therefore invite my fellow-citizens in every part of the United States and those who are in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next as a day of thanksgiving and praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the heavens.”

He also warned America: “We have been recipients of the choicest bounties of Heaven... we have grown in numbers, wealth and power as no other nation has ever grown, but we have forgotten the Almighty.”


He concluded with the following: “Intoxicated with unbroken success, we have become too self-sufficient to feel the necessity of redeeming and preserving grace, too proud to pray to the Creator that made us! It behooves us then to humble ourselves before the offended Power, to confess our national sins and to pray for… forgiveness.”

Since then it has been an official U.S. holiday. 1941: President Franklin Roosevelt moved the official

day to the 4th (not necessarily last) Thursday in November.

Today: We see the “day”, but where are the “thanks” to Yahweh? Do we give thanks to our Creator and Sustainer?

Similarities to FOT Did the idea of giving thanks to our Creator… at the

time of the major harvest in the land… a new concept? People don’t see a connection in the origin of

Thanksgiving Day and biblical principles, specifically… to the Feast of Tabernacles.

Many parallels… despite the fact that the pilgrims did not consciously observe this biblical (FOT) feast: Both were a time for giving thanks to Yahweh for

the blessings of the harvest season. Both were celebrated in the autumn in the northern

hemisphere. One must understand the background of the

Pilgrims, a deeply religious people whose heritage was strictly founded on the Bible, both Old and New Testaments, to get a better appreciation.


One question would be why did the Pilgrims have a strong attraction to the OT Scriptures?

Think of how many followers of Messiah today downplay the importance of the OT, other than that of a background to the NT.

Prior to making their way to the New World, the Pilgrims… themselves the victims of religious persecution… spent several years among Sephardic Jews in Holland.

When they later celebrated their first Thanksgiving, their conscious frame of reference was the “Sukkot” (Feast of Tabernacles, or “booths”).

Note that there was also the “Harvest Home” festival that was celebrated in England at that time, but among the Pilgrims there was a general rejection of observing these English fall celebrations that were tainted by pagan traditions (idol worship & licentious behavior).

Similarly, they shunned All Saints Day, Christmas and Easter, on the grounds that these mixed “popish” ritual with pagan custom.

They also looked to Sunday as the Puritan “Sabbath”, a day observed in prayer, church attendance and devotional reading, in opposition to the European concept of afternoon ball games, cockfights, plays, gambling, fishing trips and dances.

William Bradford, who became the first Pilgrim governor and proclaimed the first Thanksgiving celebration, used the Scriptures, both Old and New Testaments, for guidance in governing the colony.


Bradford and the Pilgrims studied the entire Bible… both Old and New Testament scriptures… very seriously. It was their model to follow in governance.

Bradford wrote of his strong desire to learn Hebrew: “Though I am grown aged, yet I have had a longing desire to see with my own eyes something of that most ancient language and holy tongue, in which the Law and the oracles of the Almighty were written and in which the Almighty and angels spoke to the holy patriarchs of old time… My aim and desire is to see holy text, and to discern somewhat of the same, for my own content”.

These remarks were followed by some 25 biblical passages in the original Hebrew and their English translation.

While they did not understand everything that Yahweh was saying in His word, they did make a conscious effort to apply what they did understand.

The Pilgrims saw themselves as a chosen people of Yahweh being led to a Promised Land.

What were their influences? Before their trip to America, a group of Pilgrims

migrated first to Holland to avoid the persecutions of the Church of England. There they enjoyed more religious tolerance, but eventually became disillusioned with the Dutch way of life, believing it lacked piety and that it had a corrupting effect on their children.

But that small, but influential group of Sephardic Jews (themselves kicked out of Spain in 1492) made a big impact on the Pilgrims.


They went back to Plymouth, England before sailing to establish a new Plymouth after more than two months at sea.

The early settlers called their Plymouth Colony “Little Israel”, and they even compared Governor Bradford to Moses.

What Does “Thanksgiving” Mean? With that as a background, how do we apply the

concept of “Thanksgiving” today? Those people overcame great hardships and were very

much thankful to Yahweh for all that they had… what we would consider very little today.

American Collegiate Dictionary: Thanksgiving is “the act of giving thanks; grateful acknowledgment of benefits or favors, especially to the Almighty; a public celebration in acknowledgment of divine favor; a day set aside for giving thanks to the Almighty”.

Most people today have a hard time giving thanks, especially when, in the back of their minds, they don’t see the need to do so.

The ability to pause, give thanks and be satisfied with our blessings is something Yahweh wants us to learn.

There are biblical commands for thanksgiving, both in the OT for the nation of Israel and for us today in the NT.

In Leviticus 7, there is a “thanksgiving sacrifice”, requiring the fruit of the ground to be offered before Yahweh. The NT sacrifice of thanksgiving requires the “fruit of our lips,” (Hebrews 13:15) but it is the


same central idea. Yahweh requires our thankfulness to Him for our many blessings.

Thanksgiving is not the same as being “thankful”: I’m “thankful” that I have a good job simply means

you’re “glad” to have that job. It’s a “passive” reaction to your situation.

Thanksgiving is “active”… an effort on your part to direct thanks toward the true source of your situation.

How about reaching out and thanking those who made it possible for you to have that good job.

It is an outward expression of thanks. Being glad can be self-centered. Being thankful is

“other”-centered. Giving thanks, in contrast to self-centeredness, is oriented outwardly… expressing our gratitude toward others.

We should make it a habit to thank people (e.g. – the members of our small assembly here).

We absolutely need to thank Yahweh for everything, because without Him… we are nothing… and have nothing!

Thanksgiving in the Bible The Bible has:

28 scriptures on “thanksgiving”. 73 on “thanks” (31 in Psalms alone).

Yahweh wants us to be thankful. Why? Is Yahweh a megalomaniac?

The word praise, similar in meaning to thanksgiving, is also used. Praise means to appreciate, to prize, to consider precious, worthy of honor and/or thanksgiving.


The Bible stresses that the greatest praise should go to Yahweh. Praise and Yahweh occur in the same verse 57 times, and praise and Lord (mostly Yahweh) occur together 97 times.

Biblical Thanksgiving Offerings Thanksgiving sacrifices:

An Israelite could make an offering of thanks at the temple: Leviticus 7:11-15: 11 This is the law of the sacrifice of peace

offerings which he shall offer to Yahweh: 12 If he offers it for a thanksgiving, then he shall

offer, with the sacrifice of thanksgiving, unleavened cakes mixed with oil, unleavened wafers anointed with oil, or cakes of blended flour mixed with oil.

13 Besides the cakes, as his offering he shall offer leavened bread with the sacrifice of thanksgiving of his peace offering.

14 And from it he shall offer one cake from each offering as a heave offering to Yahweh. It shall belong to the priest who sprinkles the blood of the peace offering.

15 The flesh of the sacrifice of his peace offering for thanksgiving shall be eaten the same day it is offered. He shall not leave any of it until morning.

You make an offering because you want to: Leviticus 22:29: And when you offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving to Yahweh, offer it of your own free will.


The Psalms instruct us about thanking Yahweh: We are to come before Yahweh in Thanksgiving:

Psalms 26:6-7: 6 I will wash my hands in innocence; So I will go

about Your altar, O Yahweh, 7 That I may proclaim with the voice of

thanksgiving, and tell of all Your wondrous works.

We are to be joyful in our Thanksgiving: Psalms 95:1-2: 1 Oh come, let us sing to Yahweh! Let us shout

joyfully to the Rock of our salvation. 2 Let us come before His presence with

thanksgiving; Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms.

We are totally indebted to our Maker for everything: Psalms 116:16-17: 16 O Yahweh, truly I am Your servant; I am Your

servant, the son of Your maidservant; You have loosed my bonds.

17 I will offer to You the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of Yahweh.

Yahshua gave thanks to Yahweh (miracle of fishes & loaves): Matthew 15:36: 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.

Luke 22:17, 19 (at the Last Supper): 17 Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and


said, “Take this and divide it among yourselves; 19 And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it,

and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.”

Conclusion Nearly four centuries have elapsed since Pilgrims and

Puritans first called their “New England” their Promised Land.

On a continent of limitless space and abundant potential… they planted… and they built… and they worshipped.

They looked to the Bible, both OT & NT, as a source of truth and strength to sustain their faith.

The United States of America has been blessed more than on any other single nation in history.

Americans have previously given thanks to Yahweh for those blessings.

But how thankful is America today? The insightful words of Abraham Lincoln should

resonate with all nations today: “The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of the Almighty.”


Yahweh’s sobering thanksgiving instructions to ancient Israel are applicable to all human beings today. He is the Creator of all human life.

Perhaps Mr. Lincoln drew on the scriptural passage (Deuteronomy 8:11-20): 11 Beware that you do not forget Yahweh your

Elohim by not keeping His commandments, His judgments, and His statutes which I command you today,

12 lest when you have eaten and are full, and have built beautiful houses and dwell in them;

13 and when your herds and your flocks multiply, and your silver and your gold are multiplied, and all that you have is multiplied;

14 when your heart is lifted up, and you forget Yahweh your Elohim who brought you out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage;

15 who led you through that great and terrible wilderness, in which were fiery serpents and scorpions and thirsty land where there was no water; who brought water for you out of the flinty rock;

16 who fed you in the wilderness with manna, which your fathers did not know, that He might humble you and that He might test you, to do you good in the end-

17 then you say in your heart, ‘My power and the might of my hand have gained me this wealth.’

18 And you shall remember Yahweh your Elohim, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that


He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day.

19 Then it shall be, if you by any means forget Yahweh your Elohim, and follow other gods, and serve them and worship them, I testify against you this day that you shall surely perish.

20 As the nations which Yahweh destroys before you, so you shall perish, because you would not be obedient to the voice of Yahweh your Elohim.

As we reflect on our individual and national situations, we should be reminded of the words of the apostle Paul: I Thessalonians 5:18: In everything give thanks; for this is the will of the Almighty in Messiah Yahshua for you.

Giving thanks to Yahweh has a calming effect: Philippians 4:6: Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to the Almighty.

All our daily focus should include thanksgiving to Yahweh: Colossians 3:17: And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Yahshua, giving thanks to Elohim the Father through Him.

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