PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Numbers.28-30
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“This is a food offering, an aroma pleasing to the Lord.” (Numbers 28:8)
Moses is shaping the Law (inspired by God) to shape the way people think about God.
These offerings are object lessons (like children’s messages in a church service).
They use analogy to communicate what God is like, and what God likes.
Think of an aroma or a taste that pleases you; now compare this to what pleases God.
God is pleased by the devotion of the heart; this is the ‘aroma’ or ‘taste’ that pleases God.
It is not the sacrifices themselves that God enjoys, but the heart that offers them.
These daily rituals convey humility and devotion, what God really desires.
God not only desires it, He models it; in Jesus He humbles Himself in His devotion to us.
In our day, such sacrifices seem brutal and disgusting; at that time they were normal.
God is redirecting their way of expressing devotion to Himself, so they will love Him.
Today God wants more than words and actions, He wants our heart and life devotion too.
“Offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God…” (Romans 12:1)
He enjoys the ‘taste’ and ‘smell’ of our love, even as we enjoy His love for us!
Will I offer my humble devotion to the One that offers His humble devotion to me?
PRAYER
Lord, Your sacrifice shows me the true meaning of love and devotion. Strengthen my love and devotion for You and God. Help me to do this everyday, in all that I do, in a way that ‘smells’ and ‘tastes’ good to You.
I’m reminded to offer my first and best to God. To not just “make time” but use my prime-time (not after 3 episodes on Netflix). Thank you Lord for paying attention to what each of us give!
All these animals -burned as offerings. It seems wasteful to us. Yet God wanted His people to know daily that He was their God and that He would sustain them – I think of how many animals were butchered each day to feed close to million people. In our society we are isolated from that – but just walk along the meat racks in a supermarkets and consider how many animals were slaughtered. Similarly, outsiders may say of me, why do you spend so much time and money on church – what a waste! As the Israelites of old learned to devote themselves to God so I too give my time and service to my Lord – daily! I make plans, promises and commitments that I am to carry out – in my devotion to my Lord.