Tuesday 20th May
Read Leviticus 2:1-3
“‘When anyone brings a grain offering to the Lord, their offering is to be of the finest flour. They are to pour olive oil on it, put incense on it 2 and take it to Aaron’s sons the priests. The priest shall take a handful of the flour and oil, together with all the incense, and burn this as a memorial portion on the altar, a food offering, an aroma pleasing to the Lord. 3 The rest of the grain offering belongs to Aaron and his sons; it is a most holy part of the food offerings presented to the Lord.” (NIVUK)
At the centre of the sacrificial system of ancient Israel is the repeated phrase, ‘an aroma pleasing to the Lord’ (v2). In a sense, what is really pleasing to the Lord is the attitude of heart that prompted the offering in the first place.
If the offering is a physical representation of the sacrifice any of the Lord’s people make to honour and worship God and place Him first in their hearts the aroma of that sacrifice is pleasant. Just as some scents elicit fond memories in us, these scents please God. They rise like prayers.
We can see this link between heartfelt devotion and pleasing aromas when we read Isaiah’s words.
“Stop bringing meaningless offerings!
Your incense is detestable to me.
New Moons, Sabbaths and convocations –
I cannot bear your worthless assemblies.
14 Your New Moon feasts and your appointed festivals
I hate with all my being.
They have become a burden to me;
I am weary of bearing them.
15 When you spread out your hands in prayer,
I hide my eyes from you;
even when you offer many prayers,
I am not listening.” (Isaiah 1:13-15) (NIVUK)
Putting the array of senses displayed in this passage to one side…we easily see that what makes the aroma ‘pleasing to the Lord’ is not the combination of spices and fire, but the expression of devotion behind it. When that is absent, the aroma is horrific. There is nothing mechanical about worshipping God. It is dangerous to simply go through the motions.
What prayer will you offer up today?
