THANKSGIVING

1. According to Jonah 2:10, Jonah was released from the belly of the great fish.

2. It was close to this time that God’s prophet said he would sacrifice with the “voice of thanksgiving (v. 9)”

3. Just a few days ago we had Thanksgiving, a national holiday.

4. On this day there is appreciation for families, friends, jobs, homes…the items in and of this life.

5. Much of the appreciation expressed was directed to God.

6. The thanksgiving described in Jonah 2:9 is unique in that it is exclusively directed to God.

7. The word Jonah is used (todhah) is never used to express thanksgiving to another human being.

THE TERM USED BY JONAH APPEARS 32 TIMES IN THE HEBREW BIBLE (THE OLD TESTAMENT).

1. Since it is applied exclusively to God, it contains some practical points.

2. Today’s time is designed to examine other locations where this term is found.

3. This first time this word occurs is Lev. 7:12, a passage I will not be reading.

4. Beginning in Lev. 7:11 the writer described special sacrifices under the Old Testament.

5. One of these special offerings was a “thanksgiving” offering.

6. The Hebrew people were supposed to be grateful for who God was and what He had done.

7. Their gratitude could have been concentrated on areas such as God’s mercy and love.

8. They may have been thankful that He is all knowing and all powerful.

9. There was a specific way to express appreciation to God; it was like a “thank you” offering.

10. We live under the New Testament, but thanksgiving is still very important.

11. There are many occasions for us to be thankful.

12. Prayers—public and private—can be a time for and expression of thanksgiving.

13. At the Lord’s Table every Sunday communion should be another period of thanksgiving.

14. There is a lot of information in the scriptures about thanksgiving, and even illustrations of it.

15. The word we are looking at from Jonah 2:9 also found in 2 Chron. 29.

16. My next reference is 2 Chron. 29:31.

17. This chapter begins by introducing King Hezekiah.

18. Hezekiah was 25 years old when he became King of Judah.

19. His reign lasted for 29 years.

20. Hezekiah was a pretty good king who tried to do God’s will.

21. My purpose for citing this verse is a sacrifice conducted while he was king.

22. Let’s look at verses 31-32 (the chapter is 2 Chron. 29) — READ.

23. While in power this king arranged for a “thank you” offering.

24. There were “70 young bulls,” “100 rams,” and “200 lambs” for this thanksgiving sacrifice.

25. The number of oxen was “600,” and there were “3,000 sheep.”

26. The sum total of the animals was nearly 4,000.

27. We are not told how many priests were needed to kill 4,000 beasts, but we are told this:

28. Verse 34 – READ.

29. The Hebrews offered a tremendous thanksgiving sacrifice, but they had a problem.

30. Their offering was so large there were not enough priests to slaughter all the animals.

31. When we think about praising God, this account provides us with an example.

32. God is worthy of praise and thanksgiving, and we cannot overdo it.

33. God is worthy of our best thanksgiving, and should get it but we sometimes fail.

34. Our word started in Jonah 2:9 leads us to another place in 2 Chronicles.

35. This time the chapter is 33; the verse is 16.

36. The writer tells us about another king—Manasseh, the son of Hezekiah.

37. King Manasseh started his rule when he was 12 years old.

38. Reigned for 55 years, and he started off on the wrong foot.

39. He approved of the idolatry that his father Hezekiah had tried to destroy.

40. 2 Chron. tells us how God used the nation of Assyria to get Manasseh’s attention.

41. Manasseh finally saw his errors and tried to institute some reforms.

42. His good intentions, however, were not well received by the nation — verses 16-17 – READ.

43. The king arranged for “thank you” offerings to be made by the nation of Israel (same word).

44. Israel went along with the sacrifices, but they only went so far.

45. The nation did agree to only sacrifice to Jehovah; they left the idols alone.

46. However, the nation made their sacrifices in the “high places.”

47. Jerusalem was the prescribed place for the offerings, but the Hebrews went somewhere else.

48. Since offerings were not made in a place other than God specified, how thankful were the Hebrews?

49. If the Hebrews had been truly grateful, they would have done what God told them.

50. Thanksgiving sacrifices would have been made in Jesus because this was what the word said.

51. Jesus often made the point that loving God means obeying His will.

52. Even in the secular realm if we truly love and appreciate someone, we will do what they ask.

53. This principle also applies to Christianity.

54. If we are truly thankful to God, we will do exactly what He has told us to do.

55. It is a logical contradiction to say that we are “thankful” to God but not fully obey Him.

ANOTHER BOOK WHERE WE FIND THE TERM USED IN JONAH 2:9 IS PSALMS.

1. Ps. 26:7 refers to “singing a song of thanksgiving.”

2. This might remind New Testament Christianity of verses like Eph. 5:19 and Col. 3:16.

3. In these 2 New Testament passages God has specifically told His people to sing.

4. Instead of merely being told to “make music,” we are given specific commands:

5. “Sing and make melody with the heart.”

6. After these commands there is an additional thought.

7. Eph. 5:20 says, “giving thanks always for all things unto God” and “in the name of Jesus.”

8. Paul taught that signing and thanksgiving are related.

9. When he wrote to the Colossians he said something similar.

10. Col. 3:16 describes church music (singing).

11. Verse 17 says this:

12. And whatsoever Ye do, in word or in deed, (do) all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

13. The Old Testament psalmist was familiar with singing and thanksgiving.

14. We should be familiar with both of these items too, but there are places where it is not understood.

15. There are congregations with Christians who refuse to sing.

16. Perhaps this would not be the case if we understood the connection between music and thanksgiving.

17. A failure to sing is really a failure to express thanksgiving.

18. If we believe God is worthy of thanksgiving, we need to sing when songs are being led.

19. There is an emphasis in the scriptures concerning one’s association with God and appreciation.

20. Psalm 95:2, which has the same term as Jonah 2:9 says “come before His presence with thanksgiving.”

21. There are good people who express thanksgiving to God a few times a year.

22. While it might be argued that some is better than none, some is not enough.

23. Thanksgiving is to be a regular part of our lives at worship and throughout the week.

24. Another common misconception of thanksgiving is that it can be used to pacify God.

25. Stated another way, if we are thankful to Him He really does not care what we do.

26. For many thankfulness becomes an excuse or even justification for disobedience.

27. The Bible warns us that that tactic has been tried and it always fails.

28. Jeremiah had to deal with this type of attitude in Jer. 17.

29. Our word being studied from Jonah 2:9 occurs in Jer. 17:26.

30. Verse 26 describes a large number of people in and around Jerusalem.

31. These worshippers were coming to the right place (temple).

32. They had the right sacrifices, and they were bringing thanksgiving sacrifices.

33. As far as the sacrifices were concerned, everything was being done correctly.

34. This chapter closes with a warning – Verse 27 — READ.

35. Thanksgiving and praise could not overcome the Old Testament law regarding the Sabbath.

36. God said, “You can bring all the sacrifices you want.”

37. “If you disobey my word I will punish you.”

38. God said He would torch the people’s city.

39. It was earlier stated that obedience and thanksgiving go together.

40. There can be no acceptable thanksgiving without full obedience to God and His word.

41. Thankfulness has always been an important topic for anyone who ever wanted to serve the true God.

42. As Christians who lived in the United States se have much to be thankful for.

43. A few days ago I noticed that a trip to the dry cleaners was necessary.

44. I have 2 winter coats; one is about 12 years old but still serviceable. The other is fairly new.

45. Both needed cleaning so I took them in at the same time.

46. An attendant took them and said, “You are going to be cold for the rest of the day.”

47. My reply was, “I have another jacket in the truck.”

48. It was a light fall jacket, but it was still a coat.

49. When I began to drive away I was struck by what had been said.

50. I own two winter coats. Neither is brand new, but I have 2 and both help keep out the cold.

51. My coat collection includes that fall jacket plus some other winter goodies.

52. Most of us can look at our closets and find lots of clothing items.

53. How many pairs of shoes, socks, hats, gloves, skirts, dresses, jeans, slacks, and shirts do we have?

54. We live in a country of plenty.

55. Thanksgiving is past but each day we should be thankful to God because we are a truly blessed people.

56. Last week a short e-mail crossed my desk.

57. A writer told of a class that was asked to write down the 7 wonders of the world.

58. Students disagreed on what these were.

59. Common answers were the pyramids, Taj Mahal, Grand Canyon, Panama Canal, Empire State Bldg, etc.

60. One young lady was having a hard time completing the project and the teacher asked about the delay.

61. She said, “I can’t make up my mind because there are so many.”

62. The teacher asked to see her paper and noted that she wrote:

63. “To see, to hear, to taste, to touch, to feel, to laugh, and to love.”

64. We do indeed have much to be thankful for.

65. Our greatest appreciation is salvation.

66. God extends the availability of salvation and eternal life to each single person.

67. We hope you are always thankful for this gift and you have taken advantage of it.

68. If we are not a Christian or we are not a Christian who is regularly grateful to God,

69. We are offering an invitation.