Message: Abundant Blessings / Dt 8:7-18
Thanksgiving is a time when we gather with our loved ones around a table to remember and celebrate the blessings God has given us in the past year. During this season, we express gratitude for God's gifts, especially the harvest that provides us with our daily bread. In doing so, we discover that within a loaf of bread lies the care of the entire universe. In that bread, we see the earth that embraced seeds in the spring. In that bread, we see the sunshine that nurtured the sprouts. In that bread, we see the rain that watered the roots, the wind that strengthened the stalks, and the moon and stars that watched over the grains during the night.
Most importantly, we see the hard work of the farmers in that bread. Their hands sowed the seeds, tended to the crops, and harvested the grain. Without the labour of farmers, none of us could survive. Farmers, who work the land and feed humanity, are doing work that reflects the work of God. So, I hope this Thanksgiving is an opportunity for us to express gratitude, especially to the farmers among us and around us.
Today's first Scripture reading comes from Moses' farewell speech to the Israelites just before they entered the Promised Land. Moses beautifully describes the richness of the land in Deuteronomy 8:7-10: "For the LORD your God is bringing you into a good land, a land with flowing streams, with springs and underground waters welling up in valleys and hills, a land of wheat and barley, of vines and fig trees and pomegranates, a land of olive trees and honey, a land where you may eat bread without scarcity, where you will lack nothing, a land whose stones are iron and from whose hills you may mine copper. You shall eat your fill and bless the LORD your God for the good land that he has given you."
In this passage, the word "land" is mentioned seven times and seven key crops are listed. In the Bible, the number seven often symbolizes completeness or perfection. In this regard, this passage tells us that the land promised to the Israelites is perfect, overflowing with a bountiful harvest.
As many scholars confirm, the main part of Deuteronomy was edited and finalized during King Josiah's religious reforms in the 7th century BCE. This means that the passage not only represents God’s promise but also reflects the experiences of the Israelites who lived in the land for centuries.
What is interesting is that geographically Israel had a much more challenging landscape than Egypt or Babylon. Their land was “a land of hills and valleys” (Deuteronomy 11:11), which means it lacked vast fertile plains and great rivers. Even some of the fertile areas, such as the Shephelah and the Jezreel Valley, were often battlefields due to conflicts with neighbouring nations.
So, in those circumstances, how did the Israelites appreciate their land as God’s abundant blessings? We can find some answers from the wisdom in the Feast of Booths, which was observed after the harvest season.
In the Bible, the Feast of Booths, also known as the Feast of Tabernacles, is the festival most similar to Thanksgiving today. It is one of the three festivals commanded by God, beginning in early October after the harvest of grapes, olives, and other major crops, lasting for seven days. From this festival, we can learn two key attributes of the Israelites' experience of God's abundant blessings.
First of all, during the Feast of Booths, the Israelites simplified their lives. The main purpose of the festival was to remember life in the wilderness after their liberation from slavery in Egypt. Therefore, during this time, they were required to live in booths or tents (Leviticus 23:42) as they had in the wilderness. This reminded them of what truly matters in life.
The most important things in life are not fancy houses, expensive clothes, or luxury cars. What truly matters is having enough to eat and drink and being with our loved ones. As French philosopher René Girard (1923-2015) said, "We desire what others desire because we imitate their desires." What truly oppresses us is the misguided desires that torment us by chasing after what others desire.
God led the Israelites back to a simpler life during the abundant harvest season, reminding them of what's truly valuable. When we remove unnecessary things from our lives, we see the true preciousness around us, and that's when we can genuinely thank God for our blessings.
On top of that, the Feast of Booths was a time for everyone, including those who were marginalized, to rest and enjoy together. Deuteronomy 16:14 says, "Rejoice during your festival, you and your sons and daughters, your male and female slaves, as well as the Levites, the strangers, the orphans, and the widows resident in your towns." Slaves, the Levites, strangers, orphans, and widows were disadvantaged because they could not own land.
Egypt and Babylon may have had enormous harvests, but they were marked by the cries of the impoverished. This was a result of the belief that having more possessions meant greater blessings. For this reason, the powerful took advantage of the weak, resulting in violence and oppression.
God saved the Israelites from Egypt and commanded them through the Law to build a nation based on sharing. Although their harvest might have been smaller compared to other empires, through sharing, they witnessed the presence of God among them. During this festival, where everyone rested and rejoiced together, they experienced not only material abundance but also spiritual and relational richness.
Today, we live in an era of unprecedented material wealth. We have an abundance of food and possessions. Yet, many people suffer from spiritual and relational poverty. In Canada, an average of 12 people die by suicide each day, totalling around 4,500 suicides per year. According to data from the Public Health Agency of Canada, 12% of Canadians have contemplated suicide in their lifetime, and 3.1% have attempted it.
In this situation, one of the things we need is our own "booths," which allows us to experience God’s abundant blessings. When we see the care of the whole creation within a piece of bread, we will taste the mystery of God's blessings. When we simplify our lives, we will realize that the most precious things are not far from us. When we share what we have with those in need, God's blessings and our joy will multiply. Through the wisdom of the Feast of Booths, may all of us experience God's abundant blessings this Thanksgiving season.
Thanks be to God. Amen.
Comments
Post a Comment