Tuesday, March 1, 2011

A Pleasing Aroma Unto the Lord

I was reading this morning in Numbers 28-29 about the offerings that Yahweh asked of his covenant people. Nine times we are told that the sacrifices offered in obedience to God`s command would be "an aroma pleasing to the Lord".  The Israelites were shepherds and farmers. Their livestock and harvest was their wealth.  Therefore, it is not a surprise that God asked...as a sign of their commitment to Him, for the first fruits of their labour, the best offering of their cattle, sheep and goats, their finest wine and first grain. The first, best and unblemished demonstrated to Yahweh that He occupied the number one place in their lives and that they fully understood their relationship to Him as servants and stewards of His creation, that Yahweh was their Saviour and Provider.

That, however, begs the question for us today.  What would be my first fruits, the best and unblemished that, when offered to Jesus, would demonstrate to Him that I am totally committed, sold out and accepting of my relationship to Him as a loved and redeemed servant? What besides the first 10% of the income God has provided me would reveal my willingness to steward his resources according to His will and purposes rather than my own?  Is my witness a pleasing aroma to Jesus?

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