THE FIRST THANKSGIVING

I’m a little late on posting a Thanksgiving blog but better late than never.  After all, we are to give thanks year round. 

Do you know when the first Thanksgiving was celebrated?  

If you’re like most, you will think back to the pilgrims and their celebration in autumn of 1621. But did you realize there was a Thanksgiving celebration that occurred earlier than that?  A Thanksgiving celebration that took place even before Christ was born?

1 Chronicles 16 details the first corporate Thanksgiving celebration which took place in Jerusalem after the Ark was returned to Israel.  All the people gathered as the Ark was set once again in the midst of the Tabernacle.  David delivered a Psalm of Thanksgiving into the hand of Asaph and his brethren which they read before all the people.  The Psalm of Thanksgiving concludes with all the people saying, “Amen!” and praising the Lord (verses 7-36).

 I’m sure you’re sitting there thinking, “Ok, so they gave thanks to God together.   How can that be considered the first Thanksgiving? ”  

  

Thanksgiving   is a time when we gather together with family and friends, share our long list of things we’re thankful for, but most of all it’s known for FOOD…turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, dressing, corn, and so much food you come away from the table more stuffed than the bird was.   

David and all of Israel also celebrated this Thanksgiving with food….

1Chronicles 16:2-3 

2 And when David had made an end of offering the burnt offerings and the peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the LORD.

3  And he dealt to every one of Israel, both man and woman, to every one a loaf of bread, and a good piece of flesh, and a flagon of wine.

Flagon comes from the Hebrew word אשׁישׁה    ash-ee-shaw' meaning: something closely pressed together, that is, a cake of raisins or other comfits (see Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance H809).    

At the first Thanksgiving, David gave each person a loaf of bread, some meat, and.....a fruit cake?  Hmmmm, sounds like the first fruit cake was really given at Thanksgiving rather than Christmas.