Encountering an extraordinary God in ordinary life
Issue # 243 August 28, 2001
FRAGRANT OFFERING

Some odors are pleasant and others are not quite so pleasant. Some are subtle and others overpowering. Most evoke some kind of response.

Our sense of smell is capable of invoking powerful memories. There are just certain scents that remind us of people and events.

The smell of a cigar might remind you of a grandfather. Baking bread of your childhood. A certain perfume of a friend or loved one.

For my wife, the smell of the polished wood and floors of an old church building reminds her of attending church occasionally as a young girl.

God knew how much our minds associate smells with situations. For His tabernacle, He commanded certain fragrances be made that were only used there. When someone smelt those fragrances, it would remind them of God and worship.

Then the LORD said to Moses, "Take the following fine spices: 500 shekels of liquid myrrh, half as much (that is, 250 shekels) of fragrant cinnamon, 250 shekels of fragrant cane, 500 shekels of cassia--all according to the sanctuary shekel--and a hin of olive oil. Make these into a sacred anointing oil, a fragrant blend, the work of a perfumer. It will be the sacred anointing oil. Then use it to anoint the Tent of Meeting, the ark of the Testimony, the table and all its articles, the lampstand and its accessories, the altar of incense, the altar of burnt offering and all its utensils, and the basin with its stand. You shall consecrate them so they will be most holy, and whatever touches them will be holy.

"Anoint Aaron and his sons and consecrate them so they may serve me as priests. Say to the Israelites, `This is to be my sacred anointing oil for the generations to come. Do not pour it on men's bodies and do not make any oil with the same formula. It is sacred, and you are to consider it sacred. Whoever makes perfume like it and whoever puts it on anyone other than a priest must be cut off from his people.' "

Then the LORD said to Moses, "Take fragrant spices--gum resin, onycha and galbanum--and pure frankincense, all in equal amounts, and make a fragrant blend of incense, the work of a perfumer. It is to be salted and pure and sacred. Grind some of it to powder and place it in front of the Testimony in the Tent of Meeting, where I will meet with you. It shall be most holy to you. Do not make any incense with this formula for yourselves; consider it holy to the LORD. Whoever makes any like it to enjoy its fragrance must be cut off from his people." Exodus 30:22-38 NIV

I think there is also a bit of a warning here for those who would trivialize the things of God, simply for their own personal enjoyment, but that is another column all on it's own.

Jesus gave himself up for our sins. His obedience was pleasing to God, a “fragrant offering”.

Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. Ephesians 5:1-2 NIV

We’re called to do the same and live a life of Christ like love.

Is your life a fragrant offering to the Lord or an unpleasant smell?

Until next time, may you show the Love of Christ in all you do and be a fragrant offering.

God bless.

Kevin