The Exodus Flavor for Our Thanksgiving Meal

Thanksgiving has a particular American flavor that thanks God for the "food" we receive from His hands. However, the idea of "thanksgiving" is ancient old. No wonder churches recite biblical text during Thanksgiving, instead of reading 16th century writings by some wise American men.

One of the most common text uses during a Thanksgiving time is Psalm 136, a psalm that opens every verse by saying "Give thanks to the LORD......". Do take note, if we are careful, that the entire psalm has only 2 themes, one is thanking God for His majestic creation and maintainence of the universe (1-9) and the other is thanking Gof for His mighty salvation of the Israelites (10-26) with verse 26 a conclusion verse. Obviously, the weight is put on the latter. The salvation of Israelites from their oppressors are symbolized by the Passover day.

My friends, have you paid attention In Exodus 12 where the Lord specified the meal courses and recipes of a Passover meal? What do you think about that courses compared to the Turkey dinners you just had over the past several days? Would you take a moment to compare the meals and reflect upon them?

That same night they are to eat the meat roasted over the fire, along with bitter herbs, and bread made without yeast. ...This is how you are to eat it: with your cloak tucked into your belt, your sandals on your feet and your staff in your hand. Eat it in haste; it is the LORD's Passover. "On that same night I will pass through Egypt and strike down every firstborn—both men and animals—and I will bring judgment on all the gods of Egypt. I am the LORD. (Exodus 12, 8, 11-12)

Do you notice in Exodus 12, it was a meal eaten in haste and under greatly dangerous situation? It's a meal eaten at the height of war time -- a war between "gods", not between "men". The course has a lamb, but was eaten out of great reverence because only those who ate it can be saved. The course also has bitter herbs, so people do not forget the bitter and harsh times under oppression. That night was a night of nation-wide wailing, for their oppressors lost their first-born sons. They ate the meal preparing to travel immediately and had absolutely no time to indulge. In the midst of all these wailing noises , danger and uncertainty, they ate the meal in haste.......

Reflecting on these two meals, I ponder the context and meaning of a "Thanksgiving meal" and I savor its Exodus flavor deeply in my heart."