Thanksgiving William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 1

Transcription

1 Thanksgiving Philippians 1:1-3, Paul and Timothy, slaves owned by Christ Jesus, to all the saints in union with Christ who are presently located in Philippi including the overseers and deacons. Grace to all of you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God in all my remembrance of you. (NASU) I thank is the first person singular present active indicative from eucharisteo (eu)xaristevw), which is eucharisto (eu)xaristw~). Eucharisteo means, to give thanks, to be thankful, and it belongs to the chairo word group, which we have noted already in our study of charis in Philippians 1:2. The word is formed by adding the suffix eu (eu), good, well, kind, to the verb charisteo (xaristevw), to give freely, to bestow a favor, to gratify. In classical literature, the word meant, to show someone a favor. A favor imposes the obligation of thanks, hence, the meaning arises to be thankful, to give thanks. Demosthenes used eucharisteo in the 4 th century B.C. and Polybius in the 2 nd century B.C. also employed the word. It is also found on numerous inscriptions that have been excavated. As a rule eucharisteo is used of giving thanks to God. Philo uses the word to mean, to pray. It is found in the LXX and 6 times in the Apocrypha. Eucharisteo is found 39 times in the NT. All but once in Romans 16:4 it is used of giving thanks to God. The great German scholar Adolph Deissmann provides an example of the use of this word in the 2nd century A.D. The word is used in a letter from an Egyptian soldier in the Roman navy to his father. Here is a portion of it, Apion to Epimachus his father and lord many greetings. Before all things I pray that you are in health, and that you are prospering and fare well continually together with my sister and her daughter and my brother. I thank (eucharisteo) the lord Serapis that, when I was in peril in the sea, he saved me immediately (Light from the Ancient East, page 180). Paul uses the verb eucharisteo in the same fashion in his epistles, which again were penned in Koine Greek. In all his epistles except 2 Corinthians, Galatians and the Pastoral Epistles, Paul used this verb eucharisteo in the introductory portion to share with his readers his appreciation to God for them (Rom. 1:8; 1 Cor. 1:4; Eph. 1:16; Phil. 1:3; Col. 1:3; 1 Thess. 1:2; 2 Thess. 1:3; Phlm. 1:4). Let s take a look at some of these passages. Romans 1:8, First, I continue giving thanks to my God (eucharisto to theo mou) through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being proclaimed throughout the whole world William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 1

2 1 Corinthians 1:4, I continue giving thanks to my God (eucharisto to theo mou) always concerning you, for the grace of God which was given you in Christ Jesus. Ephesians 1:15-16, Because of this, I also, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus among all of you, and the divine-love toward all the saints, I do not cease giving thanks for you, while making mention of you in all my prayers. Colossians 1:3-4, We continue giving thanks to the God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, habitually praying for all of you, having heard of your trust in Christ Jesus, and the divine-love, which you have toward all the saints (in Christ Jesus). 1 Thessalonians 1:2, We continue giving thanks to God (the Father) always concerning all of you, making mention of all of you in our prayers. 2 Thessalonians 1:3, We are obligated to continue to give thanks to God always concerning you, (spiritual) brothers, as is fitting, since the doctrine in your heart is greatly increasing and your divine-love is abounding toward one another. Philemon 1:4, I continue giving thanks to my God (eucharisto to theo mou) always, making mention of you in my prayers, because I continue hearing of your divine-love and the faithfulness, which you exercise towards the Lord Jesus and towards all the saints in union with Christ Jesus. Here in Philippians 1:3, the verb eucharisteo means, to give thanks to God the Father. Paul was constantly offering thanksgiving to God the Father through the Lord Jesus Christ for all believers by always making mention of them in his prayers. Eucharisto is a retroactive progressive present tense denoting that which has begun in the past and continues into the present and this means here that Paul has offered up thanksgiving to God the Father in the past for the Philippians and continues to do so into the present. Some grammarians call this a durative present tense and is generally associated with an adverb of time. We have an adverb of time at the beginning of Philippians 1:4 in pantote, always, which goes with this verb eucharisteo even though they stand so far apart from each other in the sentence. This means that the Greek actually says that Paul continues to offer thanksgiving to God the Father for the Philippians always in his prayers. The active voice, the apostle Paul produces the action of giving thanks to God the Father. The indicative mood is declarative presenting Paul s assertion that he continues giving thanks to the Father for the Philippians as a non-contingent or unqualified statement. We will translate eucharisto here in Philippians 1:3, I continue giving thanks William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 2

3 My is the 1 st person singular genitive (of possession) form of the personal pronoun ego (e)gwv), which is mou (mou). The genitive form of the personal pronoun mou in Philippians 1:3 indicates that the apostle Paul possesses a familial relationship with God as a result of regeneration and the baptism of the Spirit, which made him a son of God. God the Father became Paul s God through regeneration. Every believer in the Lord Jesus Christ is a son of God through adoption, which occurs at the moment of salvation. God is composed of the following: (1) Dative masculine singular definite article to (tw~ ). (2) Dative (direct object) masculine singular form of the theos (qeov$), which is theo (qew~ ). The articular construction to theo, God refers to God the Father since according to the Word of God, all prayer is to be addressed to Him and petitions are to be made to Him and Him alone. John 16:23, And in that day (Church Age) you will ask Me no question. Truly, truly, I say to you, if you shall ask the Father for anything, He will give it to you in My Name. Eph 3:14, For this reason I bow my knees before the Father. Eph 2:18, for through Him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father. Gal 4:6, Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!" The definite article is anaphoric denoting previous reference and refers to God the Father who is mentioned in Philippians 1:2. The definite article also indicates that God the Father is in a class by Himself. The articular construction emphasizes identity whereas the anarthrous construction emphasizes God s essence, therefore, the Personality of a member of the Trinity is in view here and that Person is God the Father. The articular construction indicates that the 1 st Person of the Trinity is in view here since all prayer must be addressed to God the Father. Thanksgiving is to be directed toward God the Father in prayer; therefore it is to accompany our prayers to the Father. Philippians 4:6, At this very moment, all of you stop continuing to be anxious about absolutely anything, but rather, concerning anything at all by means of reverential prayer in the presence of the Father and by means of petition accompanied by the giving of thanks, let your specific detailed requests be repeatedly made known in the presence of the Father. There is a protocol to prayer meaning that thanksgiving is to be directed to the Father in prayer in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the power of the Spirit William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 3

4 Col 1:12, giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light. Col 3:17, Whatever you do in word or deed, {do} all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father. Eph 5:20, always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father. Col 4:2, Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving. All prayer made by the believer-priest in the Church Age must be addressed to God the Father (John 14:13-14; 16:23-27; Rom. 8:15; Gal. 4:6; Eph. 2:18; 3:14; 5:20; Col. 1:3, 12; 3:17; 1 Pet. 1:17; Rev. 1:6). Prayer must be made in the name or Person of or through intermediate agency of the Lord Jesus Christ (John 14:13-14; 16:23-24; Eph. 5:20; Col. 3:17). Prayer must be made in the power of the Spirit or by means of the power of the Filling of the Spirit (Eph. 2:18; 6:18; Jude 20). The articular construction to theo is a dative direct object, which are usually related to verbs implying personal relation. Here in Philippians 1:3 the dative direct object is related to the verb eucharisto, I continue giving thanks, which is a verb implying personal relation. In all my remembrance of you is composed of the following: (1) Preposition epi (e)piv) (2) Dative feminine singular form of the adjective pas (pa~$), which is pase (pavsh ). (3) Dative feminine singular definite article te (th~ ). (4) Dative (of cause) feminine singular noun mneia (mneiva ). (5) Genitive 2 nd person plural form of the personal pronoun humeis (u(mei~$), which is humon (u(mw~n). The articular noun mneia means my remembrance, and the attributive adjective pase, entire is modifying it. Together they refer to Paul s entire remembrance of the Philippians beginning with the salvation of Lydia and her household, which is recorded in Acts 16 extending up to the time that Paul wrote the Philippian epistle, which was prompted by the gift Paul received from the Philippians, which is mentioned by Paul in Philippians 4: The context indicates that the definite article te preceding the noun mneia, remembrance functions as possessive personal pronoun and should be translated my. We have the preposition epi plus the dative mneia indicating cause since it answers the question as to why or the basis upon which, Paul continues giving thanks to God the Father, therefore, the preposition epi with the dative mneia should be translated upon William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 4

5 Paul s thanksgiving is based upon his entire remembrance of the Philippians and their gracious attitude toward him. Corrected translation of Philippians 1:3, I continue giving thanks to my God (the Father) based upon my entire remembrance of you. Philippians 1:3 indicates that thanksgiving was an integral part of the apostle Paul s prayer life and demonstrates his great appreciation for other believers who have been so gracious to him throughout his ministry. One of the most important aspects of our spiritual lives as believers is that of expressing thanksgiving to God. Thanksgiving to God is the response in the believer s soul, which expresses itself in love and appreciation for who and what God is and what He has done for the believer through the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and for other believers. Thanksgiving to God is the direct result of the believer applying God s Word, which in turn permits the Holy Spirit to produce an attitude of gratitude in the believer. Ps 107:1-43, Oh give thanks to the LORD, for He is good, For His lovingkindness is everlasting. Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, Whom He has redeemed from the hand of the adversary and gathered from the lands, from the east and from the west, from the north and from the south. They wandered in the wilderness in a desert region; They did not find a way to an inhabited city. They were hungry and thirsty; Their soul fainted within them. Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble; He delivered them out of their distresses. He led them also by a straight way, to go to an inhabited city. Let them give thanks to the LORD for His lovingkindness, And for His wonders to the sons of men! For He has satisfied the thirsty soul, and the hungry soul He has filled with what is good. There were those who dwelt in darkness and in the shadow of death, Prisoners in misery and chains, because they had rebelled against the words of God and spurned the counsel of the Most High. Therefore He humbled their heart with labor; they stumbled and there was none to help. Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble; He saved them out of their distresses. He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death and broke their bands apart. Let them give thanks to the LORD for His lovingkindness, And for His wonders to the sons of men! For He has shattered gates of bronze and cut bars of iron asunder. Fools, because of their rebellious way, And because of their iniquities, were afflicted. Their soul abhorred all kinds of food, and they drew near to the gates of death. Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble; He saved them out of their distresses. He sent His word and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions. Let them give thanks to the LORD for His 2003 William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 5

6 lovingkindness, And for His wonders to the sons of men! Let them also offer sacrifices of thanksgiving, and tell of His works with joyful singing. Those who go down to the sea in ships, who do business on great waters; They have seen the works of the LORD, And His wonders in the deep. For He spoke and raised up a stormy wind, which lifted up the waves of the sea. They rose up to the heavens, they went down to the depths; Their soul melted away in their misery. They reeled and staggered like a drunken man, and were at their wits' end. Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, And He brought them out of their distresses. He caused the storm to be still, So that the waves of the sea were hushed. Then they were glad because they were quiet, so He guided them to their desired haven. Let them give thanks to the LORD for His lovingkindness, And for His wonders to the sons of men! Let them extol Him also in the congregation of the people, and praise Him at the seat of the elders. He changes rivers into a wilderness and springs of water into a thirsty ground; A fruitful land into a salt waste, Because of the wickedness of those who dwell in it. He changes a wilderness into a pool of water and a dry land into springs of water; And there He makes the hungry to dwell, So that they may establish an inhabited city, And sow fields and plant vineyards, and gather a fruitful harvest. Also He blesses them and they multiply greatly, and He does not let their cattle decrease. When they are diminished and bowed down through oppression, misery and sorrow, He pours contempt upon princes and makes them wander in a pathless waste. But He sets the needy securely on high away from affliction, And makes his families like a flock. The upright see it and are glad; But all unrighteousness shuts its mouth. Who is wise? Let him give heed to these things, and consider the lovingkindnesses of the LORD. When you break your leg, be thankful it isn t your neck! There was a Danish proverb, which said: A thankless person never does a thankful deed. Jewish proverb: If men thanked God for good things, they wouldn t have time to complain about the bad. Helen Keller once said: I thank God for my handicaps; for, through them, I have found myself, my work and my God. Chinese Proverb: When you drink from the stream, remember the spring. Ps 118:1-29, Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; For His lovingkindness is everlasting. Oh let Israel say, His lovingkindness is everlasting. Oh let the house of Aaron say, His lovingkindness is everlasting. Oh let those who fear the LORD say, His lovingkindness is everlasting. From my distress I called upon the LORD; The LORD answered me and set me in a large place. The LORD is for me; I will not fear; What can man do to me? The LORD is for me among those who help me; Therefore I will look with 2003 William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 6

7 satisfaction on those who hate me. It is better to take refuge in the LORD Than to trust in man. It is better to take refuge in the LORD Than to trust in princes. All nations surrounded me; In the name of the LORD I will surely cut them off. They surrounded me, yes, they surrounded me; In the name of the LORD I will surely cut them off. They surrounded me like bees; They were extinguished as a fire of thorns; In the name of the LORD I will surely cut them off. You pushed me violently so that I was falling, But the LORD helped me. The LORD is my strength and song, And He has become my salvation. The sound of joyful shouting and salvation is in the tents of the righteous; The right hand of the LORD does valiantly. The right hand of the LORD is exalted; The right hand of the LORD does valiantly. I will not die, but live, And tell of the works of the LORD. The LORD has disciplined me severely, But He has not given me over to death. Open to me the gates of righteousness; I shall enter through them, I shall give thanks to the LORD. This is the gate of the LORD; The righteous will enter through it. I shall give thanks to You, for You have answered me, And You have become my salvation. The stone, which the builders rejected Has become the chief corner stone. This is the LORD'S doing; It is marvelous in our eyes. This is the day, which the LORD has made; Let us rejoice and be glad in it. O LORD, do save, we beseech You d LORD, we beseech You, do send prosperity! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the LORD; We have blessed you from the house of the LORD. The LORD is God, and He has given us light; Bind the festival sacrifice with cords to the horns of the altar. You are my God, and I give thanks to You; You are my God, I extol You. Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; For His lovingkindness is everlasting. Thanksgiving is the direct result of obeying the Father s will, which is revealed to the believer by the Holy Spirit through the communication of the Word of God, thus it is the direct result of appropriating the grace of God. Thanksgiving is also the direct result of experiencing fellowship with God. Thanksgiving is the appreciative acknowledgment of the benefits and blessings God gives either to us or to others. It is distinguished from worship because thanksgiving is not so much occupation with the perfection of God as it is the grateful acknowledgment of the gracious love He has lavished on us. Worshipping God leads to thanking God for who and what He is and what He has done and what He has provided for us. The believer should give thanks to the Father s gift for salvation, namely, the Lord Jesus Christ, the God-Man Savior. 2 Cor 9:15, Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift! The believer who offers thanksgiving to God the Father in prayer, honors Him William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 7

8 Ps 50:23, He who offers a sacrifice of thanksgiving honors Me; And to him who orders his way aright I shall show the salvation of God." It is to be done with all our hearts. Ps 9:1, I will give thanks to the LORD with all my heart; I will tell of all Your wonders. We are to do it in the midst of the congregation. Ps 35:18, I will give You thanks in the great congregation; I will praise You among a mighty throng. Ps 100:4-5, Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him, bless His name. For the LORD is good; His lovingkindness is everlasting and His faithfulness to all generations. We are to give thanks to God regardless of our circumstances, whether we are going through adversity or prosperity. 1Thes 5:18, in all circumstances give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. Remember, God brings in both prosperity and adversity in our lives. Eccl 7:14, In the day of prosperity be happy, but in the day of adversity consider -- God has made the one as well as the other so that man will not discover anything that will be after him. Isa 45:7, The One forming light and creating darkness, causing well-being and creating calamity; I am the LORD who does all these. On his way to exile, Chrysostom said, Thank God for everything! Erwin Lutzer said, You can learn to give thanks even if you don t particularly feel thankful. If God gives a command, he expects obedience, whether you are in the mood or not. Thankfulness, like forgiveness, is not an emotion. Thankfulness is an intelligent response of gratitude to God. It s only when we choose to give praise for the rough spots in life that we will begin to see them from God s perspective. If we don t give thanks in all things, we are living in unbelief, for we are assuming that our circumstances are not controlled by a God who loves us! I m not saying that you should give thanks for sin, but you can thank God for how he will use that sin to teach, to rebuke or to challenge you. Samuel Rutherford wrote, O, what I owe to the furnace, the file and the hammer of my Lord Jesus. A missionary was greatly discouraged. He knew that his work was not progressing, as it should. One day, while visiting another missionary, he saw a motto card on the wall: Try thanksgiving! It was an arrow to his soul and he realized suddenly that this element had been largely missing from his prayers. There had been plenty of asking God for things he desired and needed. He had 2003 William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 8

9 asked desperately at times but had forgotten to thank Him for what he received. So this missionary began to count his blessings and to pour out his heart in thanksgiving and at once, the Spirit motivated him and his work at his missionary center began to prosper. We need to learn to be content regardless if we are experiencing prosperity or adversity. Philippians 4:10, Now, I rejoiced greatly because of the Lord that now at last all of you have revived your consideration for me. In fact, before all of you were always considerate but all of you were always lacking an opportunity. Philippians 4:11, Not that I ever speak because of want since I have learned for myself through the application of doctrine to experience how to be in a habitual state of contentment in whatever present circumstance. Philippians 4:12, I have experienced not only poverty but also I have experienced prosperity. By means of every circumstance and by means of all kinds of situations I am intimately acquainted with not only satiation, but also starvation, not only prosperity, but also destitution. Philippians 4:13, I possess the power to overcome all kinds of situations by means of the one whose doctrine empowers me. No matter what our circumstances may be, we should be offering up thanksgiving, this is called a sacrifice of praise. Hebrews 13:15-16, Therefore, through Him (Jesus Christ) we should continue offering up a sacrifice of praise continually throughout all circumstances to God (the Father), that is the fruit of the lips, acknowledging His Person. In fact, you yourselves do not forget the unselfish performance of divine good of intrinsic value for with such sacrifices God the Father is greatly pleased. Job understood this principle that God brings in both adversity and prosperity in one s life for he was an individual who accepted whatever circumstances he faced and showed his appreciation for God and the blessings He had bestowed upon Job and those he had taken away. Job 1:1-12, There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job; and that man was blameless, upright, fearing God and turning away from evil. Seven sons and three daughters were born to him. His possessions also were 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 yoke of oxen, 500 female donkeys, and very many servants; and that man was the greatest of all the men of the east. His sons used to go and hold a feast in the house of each one on his day, and they would send and invite their three sisters to eat and drink with them. When the days of feasting had completed their cycle, Job would send and consecrate them, rising up early in the morning and offering burnt offerings according to 2003 William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 9

10 the number of them all; for Job said, Perhaps my sons have sinned and cursed God in their hearts. Thus Job did continually. Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came among them. The LORD said to Satan, From where do you come? Then Satan answered the LORD and said, From roaming about on the earth and walking around on it. The LORD said to Satan, Have you considered My servant Job? For there is no one like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, fearing God and turning away from evil. Then Satan answered the LORD, Does Job fear God for nothing? Have You not made a hedge about him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. But put forth Your hand now and touch all that he has; he will surely curse You to Your face. Then the LORD said to Satan, Behold, all that he has is in your power, only do not put forth your hand on him." So Satan departed from the presence of the LORD. Job 1:13-22, Now on the day when his sons and his daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother's house, a messenger came to Job and said, The oxen were plowing and the donkeys feeding beside them, and the Sabeans attacked and took them. They also slew the servants with the edge of the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you. While he was still speaking, another also came and said, The fire of God fell from heaven and burned up the sheep and the servants and consumed them, and I alone have escaped to tell you. While he was still speaking, another also came and said, The Chaldeans formed three bands and made a raid on the camels and took them and slew the servants with the edge of the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you. While he was still speaking, another also came and said, Your sons and your daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother's house, and behold, a great wind came from across the wilderness and struck the four corners of the house, and it fell on the young people and they died, and I alone have escaped to tell you. Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head, and he fell to the ground and worshiped. He said, Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I shall return there. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away. Blessed be the name of the LORD. Through all this Job did not sin nor did he blame God. Job 2:1-10, Again there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came among them to present himself before the LORD. The LORD said to Satan, Where have you come from? Then Satan answered the LORD and said, From roaming about on the earth and walking around on it. The LORD said to Satan, Have you 2003 William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 10

11 considered My servant Job? For there is no one like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man fearing God and turning away from evil. And he still holds fast his integrity, although you incited Me against him to ruin him without cause. Satan answered the LORD and said, Skin for skin! Yes, all that a man has he will give for his life. However, put forth Your hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh; he will curse You to Your face. So the LORD said to Satan, Behold, he is in your power, only spare his life. Then Satan went out from the presence of the LORD and smote Job with sore boils from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head. And he took a potsherd to scrape himself while he was sitting among the ashes. Then his wife said to him, Do you still hold fast your integrity? Curse God and die! But he said to her, You speak as one of the foolish women speaks. Shall we indeed accept good from God and not accept adversity?" In all this Job did not sin with his lips. There was an old proverb that said: Thanksgiving, to be truly thanksgiving, is first thanks, then giving. God does not like complainers as illustrated with the Exodus generation in the Old Testament. Num 11:1-9, Now the people became like those who complain of adversity in the hearing of the LORD; and when the LORD heard it, His anger was kindled, and the fire of the LORD burned among them and consumed some of the outskirts of the camp. The people therefore cried out to Moses, and Moses prayed to the LORD and the fire died out. So the name of that place was called Taberah, because the fire of the LORD burned among them. The rabble who were among them had greedy desires; and also the sons of Israel wept again and said, Who will give us meat to eat? We remember the fish which we used to eat free in Egypt, the cucumbers and the melons and the leeks and the onions and the garlic, but now our appetite is gone. There is nothing at all to look at except this manna. Now the manna was like coriander seed, and its appearance like that of bdellium. The people would go about and gather it and grind it between two millstones or beat it in the mortar, and boil it in the pot and make cakes with it; and its taste was as the taste of cakes baked with oil. When the dew fell on the camp at night, the manna would fall with it. Num 11:10-15, Now Moses heard the people weeping throughout their families, each man at the doorway of his tent; and the anger of the LORD was kindled greatly, and Moses was displeased. So Moses said to the LORD, Why have You been so hard on Your servant? And why have I not found favor in Your sight, that You have laid the burden of all this people on me? Was it I who conceived all this people? Was it I who brought them forth, that You 2003 William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 11

12 should say to me, Carry them in your bosom as a nurse carries a nursing infant, to the land which You swore to their fathers'? Where am I to get meat to give to all this people? For they weep before me, saying, Give us meat that we may eat! I alone am not able to carry all this people, because it is too burdensome for me. So if You are going to deal thus with me, please kill me at once, if I have found favor in Your sight, and do not let me see my wretchedness. Num 11:16-30, The LORD therefore said to Moses, Gather for Me seventy men from the elders of Israel, whom you know to be the elders of the people and their officers and bring them to the tent of meeting, and let them take their stand there with you. Then I will come down and speak with you there, and I will take of the Spirit who is upon you, and will put Him upon them; and they shall bear the burden of the people with you, so that you will not bear it all alone. Say to the people, Consecrate yourselves for tomorrow, and you shall eat meat; for you have wept in the ears of the LORD, saying, Oh that someone would give us meat to eat! For we were well-off in Egypt. Therefore the LORD will give you meat and you shall eat. You shall eat, not one day, nor two days, nor five days, nor ten days, nor twenty days, but a whole month, until it comes out of your nostrils and becomes loathsome to you; because you have rejected the LORD who is among you and have wept before Him, saying, Why did we ever leave Egypt? But Moses said, The people, among whom I am, are 600,000 on foot; yet You have said, I will give them meat, so that they may eat for a whole month. Should flocks and herds be slaughtered for them, to be sufficient for them? Or should all the fish of the sea be gathered together for them, to be sufficient for them? The LORD said to Moses, Is the LORD'S power limited? Now you shall see whether My word will come true for you or not. So Moses went out and told the people the words of the LORD. Also, he gathered seventy men of the elders of the people, and stationed them around the tent. Then the LORD came down in the cloud and spoke to him; and He took of the Spirit who was upon him and placed Him upon the seventy elders. And when the Spirit rested upon them, they prophesied. But they did not do it again. But two men had remained in the camp; the name of one was Eldad and the name of the other Medad. And the Spirit rested upon them (now they were among those who had been registered, but had not gone out to the tent), and they prophesied in the camp. So a young man ran and told Moses and said, Eldad and Medad are prophesying in the camp. Then Joshua the son of Nun, the attendant of Moses from his youth, said, Moses, my lord, restrain them. But Moses said to him, Are you jealous for my sake? Would that all the LORD'S people were prophets, that the 2003 William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 12

13 LORD would put His Spirit upon them! Then Moses returned to the camp, both he and the elders of Israel. Num 11:31-34, Now there went forth a wind from the LORD and it brought quail from the sea, and let them fall beside the camp, about a day's journey on this side and a day's journey on the other side, all around the camp and about two cubits deep on the surface of the ground. The people spent all day and all night and all the next day, and gathered the quail (he who gathered least gathered ten homers) and they spread them out for themselves all around the camp. While the meat was still between their teeth, before it was chewed, the anger of the LORD was kindled against the people, and the LORD struck the people with a very severe plague. So the name of that place was called Kibroth-hattaavah, because there they buried the people who had been greedy. Philippians 2:14-16, Continue performing all activities without murmurs resulting from doubts so that you might demonstrate yourselves to be uncensurable and uncontaminated, students of God (the Holy Spirit), virtuous in the midst of a corrupt and depraved generation. Among whom you yourselves continue appearing as luminaries in the cosmos by all of you continuing to exhibit the Word of life as a boast for me on the day of Christ because I have not run in vain, nor have I worked diligently in vain. Songs of thanksgiving to God are a part of the believer s worship of God (Neh. 12:8, 27, 46; Psa. 33:2; 69:30; 147:7). Ps 7:17, I will give thanks to the LORD according to His righteousness and will sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High. Ps 18:49, Therefore I will give thanks to you among the nations, O LORD, and I will sing praises to your name. Ps 30:4, Sing praise to the LORD, you His godly ones, and give thanks to His holy name. Ps 33:1-5, Sing for joy in the LORD, O you righteous ones; Praise is becoming to the upright. Give thanks to the LORD with the lyre; Sing praises to Him with a harp of ten strings. Sing to Him a new song; Play skillfully with a shout of joy. For the word of the LORD is upright, and all His work is done in faithfulness. He loves righteousness and justice; The earth is full of the lovingkindness of the LORD. Ps. 69:30, I will praise the name of God with song and magnify Him with thanksgiving. Ps. 147:7, Sing to the LORD with thanksgiving; Sing praises to our God on the lyre William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 13

14 The humanity of Christ employed thanksgiving to God in prayer when performing miracles (Matt. 14:19; 15:36; Mark 6:41; 8:6; Luke 9:16; John 6:11). Matt 14:19, Ordering the people to sit down on the grass, He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up toward heaven, He blessed the food, and breaking the loaves He gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. Matt 15:36, and He took the seven loaves and the fish; and giving thanks, He broke them and started giving them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. The humanity of Christ thanked the Father for hearing His prayer to resuscitate Lazarus (John 11:41). John 11:41, So they removed the stone. Then Jesus raised His eyes, and said, "Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. The Lord Jesus Christ offered a prayer of thanksgiving to the Father when instituting the Lord s Supper for the Church (Matt. 26:26-27; Mark 14:22-25; Luke 22:17, 19; 1 Cor. 11:23-26). Matt 26:26-27, While they were eating, Jesus took some bread, and after a blessing, He broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, "Take, eat; this is My body." And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He gave it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you. Jewish believers in the Millennium will render songs of thanksgiving to God (Isa. 51:3). Isa 51:2-3, Indeed, the LORD will comfort Zion; He will comfort all her waste places. And her wilderness He will make like Eden, and her desert like the garden of the LORD; Joy and gladness will be found in her, thanksgiving and sound of a melody. In the Old Testament, the peace offering, which portrayed reconciliation, was to be offered by way of thanksgiving (Lev. 3 cf. Lev. 7:10-15). Nehemiah and the returning exiles offered thanksgiving up to God at the dedication of the rebuilt wall in Jerusalem, which was accomplished under tremendous adversity. Neh 12:27, Now at the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem they sought out the Levites from all their places, to bring them to Jerusalem so that they might celebrate the dedication with gladness, with hymns of thanksgiving and with songs to the accompaniment of cymbals, harps and lyres. Giving produces thanksgiving to God among the recipients of giving (2 Cor. 9:10-12). 2 Cor 9:6-15, Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one 2003 William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 14

15 must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have abundance for every good deed; as it is written, HE SCATTERED ABROAD, HE GAVE TO THE POOR, HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS ENDURES FOREVER. Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness; you will be enriched in everything for all liberality, which through us is producing thanksgiving to God. For the ministry of this service is not only fully supplying the needs of the saints, but is also overflowing through many thanksgivings to God. Because of the proof given by this ministry, they will glorify God for your obedience to your confession of the gospel of Christ and for the liberality of your contribution to them and to all, while they also, by prayer on your behalf, yearn for you because of the surpassing grace of God in you. Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift! Philippians 1:3, I continue giving thanks to my God (the Father) based upon my entire remembrance of you. As we noted in the beginning of this study of thanksgiving, Paul thanked the Father for all the churches that he had established throughout the Roman Empire but as we will note of all the churches, Paul was the most intimate with the Philippians and was the most affectionate towards them simply because of all the churches the Philippians were the most gracious and sacrificial givers. The Philippians were located in the Roman province of Macedonia and they are referred to several times in the New Testament as the Macedonians. Paul used the Philippian church as a model for other churches to follow. The Philippian church was committed to support the proclamation of the gospel. They serve as the model for churches in the 21 st century. Of all the churches that Paul had established throughout the Roman Empire, the Philippian church is the only church, where Paul expresses personal affection for, and does not have to correct them for any doctrinal errors. Although he had to address the issue of a personality conflict in Philippi, he still commends the 2 women in question for their fighting together with him on behalf of the communication of the Word of God. Philippians 4:2-3, I beg Euodia and Syntyche to make it a habit to think the same because of the Lord. In fact, loyal comrade, I request you also from this moment on, please take it upon yourself to assist them, who are indeed of such character having fought together with me in the proclamation of the gospel along with Clement and with my other co-workers whose names are in the book of life William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 15

16 Paul quite simply deeply loved the Philippians on a personal level. He had great affection for them because of all the churches; the Philippians were the most gracious to his ministry giving out of their deep poverty and were the most thoughtful and considerate towards him personally. The Philippians were the greatest church in the Roman Empire because they were the most gracious. They were Paul s pride and joy! Philippians 4:1, Therefore, my divinely loved and extremely missed brothers, my pride and joy, in the manner spoken of, continue to persevere because of the Lord divinely loved ones. The Philippians were located in a city called Philippi that was located in the Roman province of Macedonia. Therefore, they are referred to in the New Testament as the Macedonians. Philippi populated by retired Roman soldiers and their families who were veterans of the battle of Philippi, which resulted in the end of the Roman republic and the establishment of the Empire. In honor of this victory Philippi was made a Roman colony and was named by Octavian Colonia Victrix Philippensium. Octavian gave the town its notable title of Colonia Iulia Augusta Philippensius, which appeared on coins. As a Roman colony, Philippi received many privileges that other cities in the empire did not have. The Philippians were great patriots and loved their country. They were proud of their Roman citizenship and were not only great soldiers but also great spiritual soldiers as well. Paul indicates to the Philippians that they were the only church to support him financially in his times of adversity and need (Philippians 4:10-19). The Philippians expressed their thanks to Paul and his ministry by providing for his needs. There was an old proverb that said: Thanksgiving, to be truly thanksgiving, is first thanks, then giving. The Philippians expressed the love of God in their lives by supporting Paul and his ministry. 1 John 3:16-18, We know love by this, that He laid down His life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoever has the world's goods, and sees his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him? Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth. The Philippians practiced the doctrine that Paul taught the Corinthians that those who communicate the Gospel are to make their living from the Gospel (cf. 1 Cor. 9:7-14). Philippians knew how to use their finances properly and in fact they were used by Paul as an example of generosity, so as to stimulate the Corinthians to follow William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 16

17 through with their commitment to give to the destitute believers in Judea (2 Corinthians 8:1-5; 9:1-5). 2 Cor 8:1-3, Now, brethren, we wish to make known to you the grace of God which has been given in the churches of Macedonia, that in a great ordeal of affliction their abundance of joy and their deep poverty overflowed in the wealth of their liberality. For I testify that according to their ability, and beyond their ability, they gave of their own accord. Notice that the Philippians were who were called the Macedonians gave out of the poverty and not their prosperity. The Philippians followed the example of the poor widow in the Temple who gave to God all that she had to live on. Luke 21:1-4, And He looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury. And He saw a poor widow putting in two small copper coins. And He said, "Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all of them; for they all out of their surplus put into the offering; but she out of her poverty put in all that she had to live on. The Philippians understood the principle taught by our Lord that is recorded in Acts 20:35. Acts 20:35, In everything I showed you that by working hard in this manner you must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.' 2 Cor. 8:4-5, begging us with much urging for the favor of participation in the support of the saints, and this, not as we had expected, but they first gave themselves to the Lord and to us by the will of God. Grace giving is an expression of the love of God. John 3:16, For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. The Philippians understood what Christian fellowship was all about. Robert Rodenmayer said, There are 3 kinds of giving: grudge giving, duty giving, and thanksgiving. Grudge giving says, I hate to, duty giving says, I ought to, thanksgiving says, I want to. The first comes from constraint, the second from a sense of obligation, the third from a full heart. Nothing much is conveyed in grudge giving since the gift without the giver is bare. Something more happens in duty giving, but there is no song in it. Thanksgiving is an open gate into the love of God William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 17