Deuteronomy
26 - Thanksgiving
As
the Israelite presented his offering of first fruits to the Lord, he was to
review God’s gracious dealings with his people in delivering them from
oppression in Egypt and in bringing them to the bountiful land He had promised
them.
Thanksgiving
for us is a day when we bring a sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving to God,
and that’s good. Most of us, eat a big turkey dinner. If we go back and check
the Pilgrims and the Puritans, we will find that they, out of their meager
resources, made an offering to God on that day. Wonderful as it is to make an
offering of thanksgiving and praise with our lips, we ought to back it up with
our means.
The
people were to give their first fruits to God to acknowledge Him as the
Redeemer of the nation. God still wants us to put Him first and give Him glory
for the blessing He freely bestows on us Prov. 3:5-10.
They
were also to present the “third-year tithe” to help support the Levites and the
poor in the land. As with the ceremony of first fruits, the people were to
confess the Lord’s goodness in blessing the land and giving the harvest.
These
two events remind us of the two great commandments, to Love God first and then
to love our neighbor. Grateful obedience
is a hallmark of God’s special people.
Please
read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.
If
you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.
J.
Vernon McGee Commentary and Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.
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