“The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, ‘Command the people of Israel and say to them, “My offering, my food for my food offerings, my pleasing aroma, you shall be careful to offer to me at its appointed time.” And you shall say to them, This is the food offering that you shall offer to the Lord: two male lambs a year old without blemish, day by day, as a regular offering. The one lamb you shall offer in the morning, and the other lamb you shall offer at twilight; also a tenth of an ephah of fine flour for a grain offering, mixed with a quarter of a hin of beaten oil. It is a regular burnt offering, which was ordained at Mount Sinai for a pleasing aroma, a food offering to the Lord. Its drink offering shall be a quarter of a hin for each lamb. In the Holy Place you shall pour out a drink offering of strong drink to the Lord.’ ” (v1-7)
This chapter contains a list of offerings and their frequency – daily, weekly (Sabbath), monthly, and annually (those that fall on special feasts). God gives very specific instructions on how these offerings are to be prepared, which is good for His people, because it takes all of the guess-work out of it. At this point there is only one choice to make – obey, or disobey.
One might question how the smell of burning animal flesh would be a “pleasing aroma” to the Lord, and my thought is, it wasn’t the physical offering that was the “pleasing aroma”. I think the pleasing aroma to God was the attitude and obedience of the people.
When we ask a child to do something, and they begrudgingly do it while stomping their feet and pouting, are we simply happy they completed the task? Do we praise them for getting the task done, or are we dismayed at the poor attitude they expressed while completing the task? Would we celebrate them more if they immediately hopped to the task, with a smile on their face and love in their heart? What if they take it one step further, and continue doing this task joyfully, over and over again, and without having to be reminded? What leaves the more “pleasing aroma” – the completion of the task, or the attitude with which the person completes it? I believe God rejoices in hearts that are joyfully serving Him, not in the tasks that are being completed (we’re not belittling the importance of the work being performed, just acknowledging which is of greater value).
My challenge is to do and say all things out of love for God – even the tedious, repetitive, less-than-appealing things. Paul says: “Bondservants, obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, not by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.” (Col 3:22-24) We are all serving someone (an employer, a teacher, a client, family, etc.) and we are encouraged to do so with a sincere and cheerful heart, because ultimately we are serving Jesus, not people or this world. This is actually great news, and offers significant freedom, since we have sayings like “you can’t please everyone” or “you can’t make everyone happy” – which are completely true. We will never please everyone in this world, and thankfully, there is only One we need to please – our Father in Heaven. I’m not sure about you, but that truth sure takes the pressure off of me, knowing I don’t need to please everyone (which is literally impossible to do).
Father God, our Almighty One, holy is Your name. You have created us to glorify You, in all that we say and do. Jesus, you have shown us the way and we thank You for modeling the servant’s heart. May we learn to be like You, doing and saying all things out of love for our Father, so that He may be glorified. Please strengthen our desire for service, please guide the motivations of our hearts, and please shine a light on our paths. Father to You be all glory, honor and praise, forever and ever, amen.
~ Conqueror in Training