Thanksgiving in the Scriptures Psalm 140:13

Surely the righteous shall give thanks to Your name; The upright shall dwell in Your presence.

Thanksgiving Under the Law of Moses There are two Hebrew words commonly associated with thanksgiving in the Old Testament. Towdah (#8426) is most often connected with sacrificial thanksgiving “offerings” (Leviticus 7) Yadah (#3034) is used more frequently and is most often translated “praise” (Ezra 3)

Thanksgiving Under the Law of Moses Must be of one’s free will

Leviticus 22:29 And when you offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving to the L ORD, offer it of your own free will.

Thanksgiving Under the Law of Moses Must be of one’s free will Any amount of thanksgiving is appreciated

Leviticus 22:23 Either a bull or a lamb that has any limb too long or too short you may offer as a freewill offering, but for a vow it shall not be accepted.

Thanksgiving Under the Law of Moses Must be of one’s free will Any amount of thanksgiving is appreciated Not mandatory, but expected as part of sacrifice

Leviticus 7:12 If he offers it for a thanksgiving……

Thanksgiving Under the Law of Moses Must be of one’s free will Any amount of thanksgiving is appreciated Not mandatory, but expected as part of sacrifice Public in nature

Psalm 100:4 Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.

Ezra 3:11 And they sang responsively, praising and giving thanks to the L ORD : “For He is good, For His mercy endures forever toward Israel.” Then all the people shouted with a great shout, when they praised the L ORD, because the foundation of the house of the L ORD was laid.

Thanksgiving Under the Law of Moses Must be of one’s free will Any amount of thanksgiving is appreciated Not mandatory, but expected Public in nature Sincere

Isaiah 1:11 “To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices to Me?” Says the L ORD.

Thanksgiving Under the Law of Moses As with many other Old Testament practices, it appears that both words (towdah and yadah) place the emphasis upon the act of thanksgiving rather than the meaning behind it. This was a major issue that Jesus dealt with during his ministry!

“…And many such things you do ” Corban Mark 7:11-13 But you say, ‘If a man says to his father or mother, “Whatever profit you might have received from me is Corban”—’ (that is, a gift to God), 12 then you no longer let him do anything for his father or his mother, 13 making the word of God of no effect through your tradition which you have handed down. And many such things you do.”

Matthew 23:28 Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.

Thanksgiving Under the Law of Christ There are two Greek words commonly associated with thanksgiving in the New Testament. Eucharisteo (# ) is most often connected with an act of worship (Matthew 26:26, Ephesians 5:20) Charis (#5485) is used to show a divine influence upon one’s heart (Romans 6:17, 2 Corinthians 9:15)

Thanksgiving Under the Law of Christ Should be part of Christian worship

Matthew 26:26-27 And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed (Eucharisteo) and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, “Take, eat; this is My body.” 27 Then He took the cup, and gave thanks (Eucharisteo), and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. 28 For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

Ephesians 5:20 …giving thanks (Eucharisteo) always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ

Thanksgiving Under the Law of Christ Should be part of Christian worship Should be a part of who Christians are

Romans 6:17 But God be thanked (charis) that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered.

2 Corinthians 9:15 Thanks (Charis) be to God for His indescribable gift!

Thanksgiving Under the Law of Christ The attitude of thanksgiving is just as important as the act of thanksgiving Thanksgiving should be a natural extension of the Christian in their relationship with God

1 Timothy 4:4 For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving Eucharisteo - What we do

1 Timothy 1:12 And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry Charis - Who we are

Thanksgiving in Revelation Should be part of the worship of God

Revelation 7:11-12 All the angels stood around the throne and the elders and the four living creatures, and fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, 12 saying: “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom, Thanksgiving and honor and power and might, Be to our God forever and ever. Amen.”

Bullinger and “the” Bullinger believed that each word should contain the definite article. 1. the Blessing 2. the Glory 3. the Wisdom 4. the Thanksgiving 5. the Honor 6. the Power 7. the Might Creates a deeper level of understanding!

Conclusion Under the Law of Moses, emphasis was placed upon the act of thanksgiving Under the Law of Christ, emphasis is placed upon both the act and the attitude of thanksgiving “The thanksgiving” is part of the worship of God Christians should be a thankful people!