THE ACTUAL FIRST THANKSGIVING
Thousands of years before the Plymouth colonists and the Wampanoag shared an autumn harvest feast together, the first Thanksgiving meal took place. Let me set the stage for the actual first Thanksgiving.
1 Chronicles chapter 14 establishes David as the anointed King of Israel, “1 Now Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and cedar trees, with masons and carpenters, to build him a house. 2 So David knew that the Lord had established him as king over Israel, for his kingdom was highly exalted for the sake of His people Israel.”
The result, Israel rival, the Philistines, come to challenge God’s Kingdom. David asked God multiple times for a game plan and as a result David wins a mighty victory over his enemy. I love how the end of the chapter reads, “16 So David did as God commanded him, and they drove back the army of the Philistines from Gibeon as far as Gezer. 17 Then the fame of David went out into all lands, and the Lord brought the fear of him upon all nations.”
How awesome would it be for God to bring fear on your enemies?
David’s next move is epic in my opinion. David has established Jerusalem, the city David had prophesied and stated a decree over when he was only 17 years old after killing Goliath. 13 years later at 30 years old, David’s dream and vision had come true. What does David do next? He focuses all of his nation on bringing the Presence of God to Jerusalem. At this time the Presence of God dwelt in the Ark of the Covenant.
Chapter 15 speaks of the detail, passion, and effort David put into bringing the Presence of God to his new home. Yes, after failing the first time in an attempt to bring the Ark of the Covenant, because of not obeying God’s instruction on how to bring the Ark, this time David put everything he had into making sure God’s presence would be welcomed into Jerusalem. 1 Chronicle 15:28 “Thus all Israel brought up the ark of the covenant of the Lord with shouting and with the sound of the horn, with trumpets and with cymbals, making music with stringed instruments and harps.”
It is at that point that we arrive at the TRUE FIRST THANKSGIVING.
Let’s just read it straight from the Word of God. 1 Chronicle 16, “1 So they brought the ark of God, and set it in the midst of the tabernacle that David had erected for it. Then they offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before God. 2 And when David had finished offering the burnt offerings and the peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the Lord. 3 Then he distributed to everyone of Israel, both man and woman, to everyone a loaf of bread, a piece of meat, and a cake of raisins.”
So, the entire nation of Israel enjoyed a feast in honor of God’s Presence arriving, but David could not stop just with a feast. Verse 16 begins what is known as David’s SONG OF THANKSGIVING. The FIRST THANKSGIVING.
I will let you look this powerful song up, it is also found in Psalms 105. You will find many of the praises and verses used today in worship songs in this Thanksgiving praise given by David.
There are a number of similarities between David’s Thanksgiving and the Thanksgiving we celebrate.
On October 3, 1863, with this victory in mind, as well as its cost, President Lincoln issued a proclamation: I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, …to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving.
Both celebrations of Thanksgivings were paid for with a cost of lives.
Both celebrations of Thanksgiving were Thanking God for Nations where God’s Presence was welcome and they were free to worship the God of the Universe.
As we go into the Thanksgiving season and celebrate, let us remember exactly why we are thankful and take time to welcome God’s Presence into our Homes and pray that our Nation will once again becomes One Nation Under God!
Photo by Davies Designs Studio on Unsplash