Topic: Sweet Savour To The Lord [Friday May 26, 2017]
Text: Numbers 15:1-16
Key Verse: “And will make an offering by fire unto the LORD, a burnt offering, or a sacrifice in performing a vow, or in a freewill offering, or in your solemn feasts, to make a sweet savour unto the LORD, of the herd, or of the flock” (Numbers 15:3).
Many factors conjoin to make our food enjoyable. Food makers know so well the importance of aroma, mouth-feel and appearance when it comes to food consumption experience. The senses of taste and smell are inexplicably tied together and arc critical in food enjoyment and safety.
Except for what we consume strictly for medical reasons, food has to pass the aroma and taste test to get our acceptance or approval. God is also interested in sweet aroma. It could have been the missing element in the rejected offering of Cain as opposed to that of Abel whose sacrifice was accepted by God. When Noah appreciatively offered to God after the deluge, “the LORD smelled a sweet savour”.
Following this the Lord resolved that He would not destroy the earth with such flood and that the course of nature should never be discontinued as long as the earth remained. When Moses, in today’s text, directed the Israelites concerning the different offerings they should bring to God when they should get to the Promised Land, it was to the intent of making “a sweet savour unto the LORD”. All Israelites and proselytes (converts from other nations) among them were expected to offer. Also observe that for the offerings to be acceptable to God, they must be put together in the right quantity and quality as divinely instructed. We offer no such sacrifices today because, Christ has paid it all, having offered Himself once and for all. Yet, we must offer to the Lord a different set of sacrifices.
First, without repentance (heart contrition for sin), faith and reformation, our offering to God is an abomination to Him. The believer brings to the Lord the sacrifices of praise, prayer, treasure, talent, time, service and everything needed as symbols of our dedication to Him. Our willingness, motive and attitude with which we offer will determine whether our offerings will be sweet savour (acceptable) to Him.
Thought for the day: God accepts only sacrifices and offerings that give sweet savour.
Bible Reading in one Year: Zechariah 6-9
DCLM Daily Manna was written by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi; is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church situated at KM 42 on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria.
