Title: Thanksgiving to God (Deuteronomy 16:13-17)
Contents
Thanksgiving to God (Deuteronomy 16:13-17)
God is commanding the Israelites to come out to the place chosen by all the men three times a year. These are the three major festivals observed by the Jews to this day: the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the Feast of Weeks, and the Feast of Tabernacles. Why is God emphasizing this feast and repeating it? The reason is that these three seasons are not only related to God, but also to thanksgiving.
The Feast of Unleavened Bread is to commemorate God's delivery of the people of Israel out of Egypt, and to remember and give thanks to them as God's people. The Feast of Weeks is to give thanks to God for giving us the firstfruits. And the Feast of Tabernacles is a way to give thanks to God by paying off the year's harvest.
Then, why does God give thanks so importantly and emphasize it?
① Because giving thanks is an act of acknowledging God (Proverbs 3:6-10)
② Because it is to humble oneself (James 4:6).
③ Because giving thanks is an act that pleases God (Ezekiel 43:27)
It is also because only those who give thanks can offer perfect sacrifices before God (Genesis 4:3-8).
The important thing here is that the form of thanksgiving that God wants is the text that is spoken through the regulations of the Feast of Tabernacles.
Through these words, we will share the grace of true gratitude that we want for those of us who have lost gratitude while keeping the feasts.
I. All must be together (verse 14)
When keeping the feasts, that is, the Feast of Tabernacles, and today's Thanksgiving, the first thing God mentions is people. Before the joy of a bountiful harvest, he tells us to pile up the produce that God has given us and to rejoice with people.
II. We must rejoice completely (verse 15).
Therefore, the perfect joy (John 14:27) spoken of today does not come from the satisfaction that comes from material abundance, nor does it come from the joy of the world. Rather, Jesus tells us not to love the world or the things in the world. (1 John 2:1) Then, what does this perfect joy mean? That is what it means to be with God. Looking back at verse 15, it says that being with God is the key to full enjoyment. The secret to full joy is being with Jehovah God.
What is in front of them now? They are the bountiful food and fruits they have worked hard for a year. However, if they are mistaken, these can be accepted only for their own material abundance and bodily satiety.
This means that it can be accepted as something for me and my family to build bigger storehouses and barns like the foolish rich (Luke 12:15-20). So God stayed in God’s chosen place for seven days, He said to keep the seasons.
So, what can you do to enjoy full pleasure?
① We must go to the place God has chosen. (Ecclesiastes 12:1-2) ② We must stand before God. (Ecclesiastes 12:1-2)
What is God's standard? not material. This is because God's standard is the center of the human heart. (1 Samuel 16:7, Jer 17:9-10, 1 Tim 6:1) ③ It is because the Lord blesses you (Deuteronomy 28:1-6).
The greatest reward for those who live according to the word of God is to receive blessings. And God's blessing is not limited, but everything is blessed. It is also about obeying God's commands. This is the second form of thanksgiving that God desires. Therefore, saints, in order to have an abundant Thanksgiving with full enjoyment, I hope that you will come to God's temple and be in a position to receive God's blessing.
Ⅲ. You must give according to your strength (verses 16, 17).
The last aspect of the Israelites' thanksgiving that God wants in today's text is material thanksgiving. But here is the principle of consecration that God shows. It is to give as the Lord has blessed me. It is to look back on the blessings we have received. Didn't Job receive a blessing incomparable to the previous blessings because he did not leave God even after losing everything he had? (Job 42:10)
What we need, like Job, is to not leave God no matter what hardships and difficulties come, hold on to God's Word, and stand close to Him. Because that is the secret to receiving God's blessing.
Looking back and counting the blessings we have received, we cannot help but be grateful. If you are thankful, you will only receive blessings In other words, gratitude begets happiness, and blessing begets gratitude. This is the principle of repeated blessing in which the saints receive blessings and are blessed again with thanksgiving.
Brothers and sisters, with what have you been giving thanks to God so far? How are we grateful for the blessings we have received? God wants to see our hearts. I hope you will give thanks to God according to the blessings you have received from God with all your heart. Because this is the kind of gratitude that God wants from His people through today's text. Gratitude is the heart, the mouth, the three things matter. You should be able to give thanks from your heart. You should be able to say thank you with your mouth. You should express your gratitude in material. That's when real gratitude comes in.
God always wants to bless us (Numbers 6:24). And one of the secrets to receiving that blessing is gratitude.
Now this year's Thanksgiving is next week. I want everyone to experience the blessings God gives them through this Thanksgiving. To that end, saints, restore the form of gratitude that God desires.