A SWEET AROMA TO GOD
“And the priest shall throw the blood on the altar of the LORD at the entrance of the tent of meeting and burn the fat for a pleasing aroma to the LORD.”
Leviticus 17:6 (ESV)
“The priest must present part of this peace offering as a special gift to the LORD. This includes all the fat around the internal organs, the two kidneys and the fat around them near the loins, and the long lobe of the liver. These must be removed with the kidneys, and Aaron’s sons will burn them on top of the burnt offering on the wood burning on the altar. It is a special gift, a pleasing aroma to the LORD.”
Leviticus 3:3-5 (NLT)
In the Old Testament, before Jesus came to earth as a man, the children of Israel, God’s chosen people, made animal sacrifices as sin offerings, guilt offerings and praise offerings, amongst others. It sounds rather disgusting to us now, but they would take animals and splatter their blood on the altar and burn the fat and follow detailed instructions for other parts of the animal’s body, including what must not be eaten, what should and where and when it was to be eaten. Many chapters in Leviticus are instructions to the Israelites about sacrifices. Jesus became the final sacrifice for sin and guilt. Now, His people aren’t required to make those kinds of offerings.
When we fast, our bodies burn fat. And we know from Leviticus 17:6 that the burning fat of an animal emits a fragrance that pleases the Lord. What if, when we fast, our bodies burn fat, creating a sort of perfume that has a pleasant aroma and is a special gift to Him?
Instead of animal sacrifices, perhaps as followers of Christ, our sacrifice is to go without food, which pleases the Lord in more ways than the scent produced with the burning of fat, but also the laying of our whole selves on the altar in total submission and dependence on Him. In comparison to what Jesus suffered for us, it’s a small sacrifice to make.
APPLICATION: Take a moment to thank the Lord for His sacrifice. Consider fasting as a gift to the Giver of life and of all good things.
PRAYER: Father, I know You are pleased with me. I’ve done nothing to deserve Your Love and can’t do anything to make You love me more. Direct me, Lord, on how and when to fast. I want to bless You, Lord. When I do fast, let my sacrifice be pleasing to You. Amen.
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may Your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May Your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?