Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

THANKSGIVING

(also THANK OFFERING)

The response a loving God expects from his people (Heb. tōdâ; Gk. eucharistía). Thanksgiving is an activity which involves the community of faith in both the OT and NT (e.g., 1 Chr. 16:35; Ezra 3:11; Ps. 44:8[MT 9]; 75:1[2]; 79:13; 2 Cor. 1:11; 4:15; Eph. 1:16).

In the OT thank offerings were expressions of thanksgiving (Lev. 7:12-15; 22:29), showing gratitude for release from trouble, affliction, or death (Ps. 56:12[13]; 107:17-22; 116:17). In Jerusalem, temple musicians played the lyre and provided leadership “in thanksgiving and praise” (1 Chr. 25:3; 2 Chr. 5:13). In David’s day trained leaders conducted the “songs of praise and thanksgiving” (Neh. 12:46). When Manasseh was restored, he offered “sacrifices of thanksgiving” in gratitude for deliverance (2 Chr. 33:16; cf. Ps. 50:14; Amos 4:5). In Nehemiah’s time Mattaniah and other Levites led the public thanksgiving and “the songs of thanksgiving” (Neh. 12:8; cf. 11:17).

Thanksgiving featured prominently in the Psalms (Ps. 7:17[18]; 28:7; 30:4[5]; 50:23; 69:30[31]; 86:12; 111:1). The psalmist thanked God for deliverance from enemies (Ps. 35:11-18), hostile accusers (109:29-30), and death (86:12-13). Included are songs of thanksgiving (Ps. 26:7; 42:4[5]; cf. Isa. 51:3; Jer. 30:19), exhortations to enter God’s presence with thanksgiving (Ps. 95:2; 100:4), and calls to “give thanks” (97:12; 105:1; 107:1; 118:1; 136:1-3; cf. 1 Chr. 16:8, 34; 2 Chr. 20:21; Isa. 12:4; Jer. 33:11).

Jesus gave thanks (Mark 8:6 par.; 14:23 par.; Luke 22:17, 19; John 6:11, 23; 1 Cor. 11:24; cf. Matt. 11:25 par.), and the Lord’s Supper is the Church’s great thanksgiving meal (the eucharist). The healed leper thanked Jesus (Luke 17:16), but the self-righteous Pharisee mistakenly thanked God that he was unlike others (18:11).

Paul stressed thanksgiving (1 Cor. 14:16; 2 Cor. 9:11-12; Phil. 4:6; 1 Thess. 3:9; cf. Eph. 5:4, 20; Col. 2:7; 4:2; 1 Tim. 2:1), especially for Christ (2 Cor. 2:14; 9:15); unthankfulness signified depravity (Rom. 1:21). Food is acceptable if it is “received with thanksgiving” (1 Tim. 4:3-4). Thanksgiving is an aspect of heavenly worship (Rev. 4:9; 7:12).

Allison A. Trites

Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

THANKSGIVING

Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (2000)