Don’t Just Say “Thanks” - Give “Thanks” - Numbers 29-32

Numbers 29:12 (ESV)

Offerings for the Feast of Booths

“On the fifteenth day of the seventh month you shall have a holy convocation. You shall not do any ordinary work, and you shall keep a feast to the LORD seven days.

Numbers 29:17 (ESV)

“On the second day twelve bulls from the herd, two rams, fourteen male lambs a year old without blemish,

Numbers 29:20 (ESV)

“On the third day eleven bulls, two rams, fourteen male lambs a year old without blemish,

Numbers 29:23 (ESV)

“On the fourth day ten bulls, two rams, fourteen male lambs a year old without blemish,

Numbers 29:26 (ESV)

“On the fifth day nine bulls, two rams, fourteen male lambs a year old without blemish,

Numbers 29:29 (ESV)

“On the sixth day eight bulls, two rams, fourteen male lambs a year old without blemish,

Numbers 29:32 (ESV)

“On the seventh day seven bulls, two rams, fourteen male lambs a year old without blemish,

Numbers 29:35-36 (ESV)

“On the eighth day you shall have a solemn assembly. You shall not do any ordinary work, but you shall offer a burnt offering, a food offering, with a pleasing aroma to the LORD: one bull, one ram, seven male lambs a year old without blemish,

The above verses are in reference to the Feasts of Tabernacles, or Booths.  It was to celebrate the harvest.   It was a giant Thanksgiving week.  Often, when working in the fields to gather in the harvest the people would stay in temporary shelters (booths) erected along side the fields. These shelters (booths) would protect them the elements.  The booths were also a figure to remind the nation that during their wandering in the wilderness they stayed in booths.   The offering, each day, of a particular number of animals was to commemorate what God did for them during the wilderness wanderings.  Note:

From Understanding the Bible Commentary Series: 

The remarkable total number of animals to be sacrificed during the seven days of the Feast of Tabernacles and the eighth day is seventy-one bulls, fifteen rams, 105 lambs, and eight goats with accompanying grain and drink offerings in addition to the regular daily offerings.

All these animals were to be without blemish. This feast was to say thank you to God.   A lesson for us today may be that in giving of thanks to God we are to sacrifice something.  Today we can certainly pray to God and thank Him for His abundance gifts with our heart, through our lips.   But, in keeping with the above, we ought to consider our gifts of our time, talent and treasure, as well.   Praise and worship in song to say thanks, are awesome tools to use.  But there is something to be said about saying thanks by giving something back to God for His glory and our act of worship.   We may not bring an animal to church to sacrifice, but we ought to bring something tangible that is a sacrificial offering.   Paul in his letter to the Romans said it this way:

Romans 12:1 (ESV)

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.

We are to offer ourselves, first.  

2 Corinthians 8:3-5 (ESV)

For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord, begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints— and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us.