In the process of my research, I found that the Festival of Tabernacles, also called Succoth, was also known as the Feast of the In Gathering and the Feast of Booths. The Festival was one of the events where the people of Israel were to commemorate YHVH’s (יהוה) grace and faithfulness to their nation: particularly to generate joyful gratitude for their rescue from Egypt, His provision for them in the wilderness, and the abundance of the current harvest.
In my online search, I asked a question: “Is there a connection between that ancient biblical Festival of Tabernacles and our Thanksgiving holiday?” Every site I checked said “Yes, the historic Thanksgiving celebration was taken from the command given to Moses, recorded in Leviticus 23:33-43.
There are a lot of instructions in the Leviticus passage on how the festival was supposed to be observed. Certainly, we here in our time and place have changed the biblical description to include different traditions for each family or community celebration of our modern Thanksgiving day. However, the main thing is to still include gratitude to God for who He is and His grace and faithfulness to us.
Below is the chorus from the hymn “Thank You Lord”. It has been singing in my mind and I’ll share it with you. I think it is a good response to the grace, faithfulness and love the Lord has shown us each day.
Thank you, Lord, for saving my soul. Thank you, Lord, for making me whole.
Thank you, Lord, for giving to me, Thy great salvation so rich and free.
Praying for each of you a blessed and joyous Thanksgiving Day.
by Carolyn Schmitt
