Give Thanks and Receive Peace
We recently celebrated Thanksgiving. Families and communities gathered around the table to eat and give thanks. For some families, this was a joyous occasion, for others, there was tension. In our family, relationships have been rocky of late. Our family is working to mend those differences. Even so, amid turbulence, we purposely chose to come together to Give Thanks and Receive Peace.
Peace and Thanksgiving Go Hand-in-Hand
I tend to skip over the Old Testament book of Leviticus. At first glance, I only see is list of antiquated rules and regulations with little relevance for today. However today, the Lord draws my attention to Leviticus 7:11-13. I wonder if it is describing most families on Thanksgiving Day.
And this is the law of the sacrifice of peace offerings that one may offer to the Lord. If he offers it for a thanksgiving, then he shall offer with the thanksgiving sacrifice…
Unleavened loaves mixed with oil, unleavened wafers smeared with oil, and loaves of fine flour well mixed with oil.
This the sacrifice of his peace offerings for thanksgiving, he shall bring his offering with loaves of leavened bread. Leviticus 7:11-13
Give Thanks and Receive Peace
Thanksgiving and peace go together.
According to Ann Voskamp in her book, Gifts and Gratitude, when we give thanks to God, we receive His peace.
https://faithgateway.com/blogs/christian-books/surprising-grace
Variations in the Offerings
In Leviticus, three separate offerings are mentioned:
Unleavened loaves mixed with oil
Unleavened wafers smeared with oil
Loaves of fine flour well mixed with oil
Two things stand out to me here. The first two offerings are unleavened. The last offering is different. It contains yeast or leaven. In the Old Testament, leaven typically symbolizes sin or impurity. My second observation is that oil binds each of the offerings. Could this be the oil of God’s gladness?
A Sacrificial Offering
As the above verses illustrate, our thank offering includes commonalities and differences. Amazingly, God marinates each offering in the oil of His gladness. We give thanks to God for what binds us, rather than what separates. This is our sacrificial offering. We give thanks and receive peace.
Dear Jesus, even in our families with people we love the most, differences and conflicts occur. May I always remember that You bind us in Your oil of gladness.
Questions to Consider:
- Describe in your own words how peace and thanksgiving work together.
- Not all peace offerings are the same. Do you struggle with this difference. How so?
