”“When you sacrifice a thank offering to the Lord, sacrifice it in such a way that it will be accepted on your behalf.
Leviticus 22:29New International Version (NIV)
Leviticus 22:29 Devotional
Thank offering to the Lord
Leviticus 22:29 is part of God’s reminder of the importance of the sacrifice of a thank offering to the Lord. This offering was a key part of the Israelites’ relationship with God. And that’s why God reminded them of its importance.
Leviticus is a book of worship
Moreover, Leviticus is the book of worship. Therefore, it contains instructions about the sacrifices and offerings the Israelites were to incorporate into their worship of God.
Consequently, Leviticus chapter 22 verse 29, contains instructions on thanks offerings to God. Therefore, it’s an important instruction for you and me as well. And this is because thankfulness is an important element of our relationship with God.
Additionally, thanks offering wasn’t a requirement, but it was a necessity. Because, as humans, we’re likely not to thank God even in the face of blessings. And we’re more likely to complain about the situation we’re in than to thank God – this is true of the Israelites of Moses’ day, who complained all the time.
Constant thanksgiving is God’s will for you and me
God’s will is that we are thankful in all circumstances, whether good or bad (1 Thessalonians 5:18) (Philippians 4:4-7, Colossians 3:15-16, Hebrews 13:15, Psalm 92:1-2, 50:23, and 100:4-5). And thankfulness actually changes your perspective so that you perceive life differently (as a victor, not a victim).
Therefore, there is power in gratitude. And the power of gratitude is its ability to change our outlook.
Sacrifice of thanksgiving
Nevertheless, the sacrifice of thanksgiving was performed (offered) every morning and evening (Leviticus 22:29-33). Consequently, the twice-daily offering reminded the Hebrews that God was the one who formed a nation out of them (Genesis 12:1-3) and brought them out of Egypt (Exodus).
Therefore, it was God alone who saved, kept, and provided for them before and after their exodus from Egypt. And this is the same thing that He does for us today. That’s why you need to be grateful to Him every day.
Thank offering to God
Fortunately, our focus verse spells out that “a thank offering to the Lord” is an act of “sacrifice”. Therefore, it has to be well thought out, intentional, and cost you, at least according to David (2 Samuel 24:24 and 1 Chronicles 21:24). And of course, this doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t take your offering seriously.
Additionally, the ‘act of sacrifice’ ought to be done in a way that will make it acceptable before God. And this implies that sacrifices have to be carried out in a specific way – kingdom things have a protocol and the instructions for thank offerings cover their value and the reverence demanded.
Finally, we are no longer required to offer “thank offering” animal sacrifices. This is because Jesus Christ was the ultimate, final sacrifice.
Therefore, the principles of sacrifice remain. And the principles that the Lord taught through the sacrificial system are still true and applicable to us today in a better way (Romans 12:1-2).
Prayer/Blessing
May you not take the simple blessings from God for granted. You can be thankful as soon as God blesses you through Jesus Christ. This is what will make your thanksgiving acceptable to God. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Daily Bible Reading
Genesis 13-15 (see How to Read the Bible in One Year or How to Read the Bible (for Beginners))
