The Bible calls itself “living and active” (Hebrews 4:12); it professes to “enlighten the eyes” and “make wise the simple” (Psalm 19:7-8). So it shouldn’t surprise that the Bible very often surprises. When we come to its pages ready to learn, it very often transforms our thinking in unexpected ways.
As I studied through the Bible’s teaching about “thanksgiving,” I learned that my assumptions needed some supplementing. You see, when it came to the concept of thanksgiving, I’d always assumed that the Bible’s predominant teaching was gratitude for God’s provision of food, clothing, and other physical needs. I suppose my mental image would have been a cornucopia filled with Thanksgiving Day goodies. And although the Bible teaches gratitude for harvest blessings (Numbers 18:11ff), those instances are much fewer than I’d supposed.
Biblical thanksgiving, in fact, focuses almost exclusively on the spiritual blessings surrounding God’s forgiveness. When we combine the Old and New Testament’s teaching about thanksgiving, a three-fold definition appears. Biblical thanksgiving is (1) public praise (2) stemming from God’s salvation (3) resulting in Christian virtue.
But, before we get too far down that road, let’s allow the picture to emerge from God’s living Word.
The Old Testament uses two different words to describe thanksgiving—one verb and one noun. The verb takes its root in the idea of casting or throwing and emphasizes the individual’s deliberate effort in doing so. Thanksgiving, therefore, is intentionally heaping praise upon God Himself. It praises God before men and angels (Psalm 138:1), worships God for His goodness (Psalm 52:9), and exalts God for His great salvation (Psalm 118:21). The verb “thanksgiving” is one of deliberate, public praise for God’s salvation.
The other Old Testament word (the noun) most closely associates thanksgiving with confession of sin. I must admit, this was the most surprising discovery. Yet, two colorful scenes drive home this point. First, Joshua tells Achan the thief, “give praise to God and tell me now what you have done” (Joshua 7:19). Second, Jonah sinned by running from the Lord’s call, which, as I’m sure you’re aware, landed him in the belly of a great fish. And from the bowels of that beast, Jonah prayed, “But I with a voice of thanksgiving will sacrifice to you; what I have vowed, I will pay. Salvation belongs to the LORD” (Jonah 2:10).
I could mention many other examples, but one more scene perfectly illustrates the Old Testament concept. When the Israelites brought their thank-offering before the Lord at Solomon’s Temple, they were instructed to sing aloud a song of individual praise for God’s salvation: “Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love … And let them offer sacrifices of thanksgiving and tell of his deeds in songs of joy” (Psalm 107:21-22).
New Testament writers build on the Old Testament’s teaching by elevating thanksgiving to an essential Christian virtue. Thanksgiving silences fear (Philippians 4:6), informs prayer (Colossians 4:2), and characterizes worship (Revelation 4:9; 7:12). But most importantly, thanksgiving typifies the person who has accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Savior (Colossians 2:6-7). Those redeemed by the blood of the Lamb generously supply the needs of others (2 Corinthians 9:11-12), bringing yet more honor to God.
Yes, God delights when we enjoy nature’s bounty (Ecclesiastes 9:7). Feasting, however, is just one small component of the entire picture. Biblical thanksgiving is a public outpouring of thankfulness in response to God’s greatest provision—the salvation of our souls (Titus 3:4-5).
If I could bring the biblical material to a fine point, biblical thanksgiving is thoroughly God-centered. It’s public praise to God on account of God for the glory of God; it worships God for who His is and what He’s done.
With all of this Biblical material in mind, what are we to make of our American Thanksgiving traditions? Am I saying that it’s unbiblical to feast upon turkey and pumpkin pie? To enjoy a football game while the children play and the sweet potatoes bake? To (gasp!) raid the local mall in an all-night shopping adventure?
Hardly.
Like I said, I was surprised by how little the Bible associates thanksgiving with material blessings. So, this year my family will supplement the old traditions with some new ones. I’m hoping that a little preparatory work will frame the day’s festivities. Now, the only question remaining is how we plan to do that.
My wife and I have three young children, so the family efforts will have to be planned accordingly. First, we plan to memorize Psalm 95:2 as a family: “Let us come into His presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to Him with songs of praise.” Second, we plan to learn a short hymn that we can sing together Thanksgiving morning, perhaps the chorus of Count Your Blessings would serve (I think our 2-year-old can manage that). Third, the Sunday before Thanksgiving, we plan to worship with other redeemed sinners in public praise of the One who meets our spiritual and physical needs. In fact, we’re planning a special Thanksgiving worship service at our church themed after Hezekiah’s worship upon the restoration of Solomon’s Temple (2 Chronicles 29).
In short, we plan to confess the true source of our thankfulness. God not only provides bounty beyond all we deserve, but saves our souls from sin and death. For that, we praise Him with thanksgiving.
