Aroma

I’m really struggling to grasp the practices of burnt offerings as I started reading in Leviticus this morning. I am disgusted with the thoughts of having to take a young bull, goat or bird and kill it to cover my sin before God. I’m heard these instructions before, so it’s not new material to me. I was just imagining if I actually had to do that.

Last year I purchased a bull that was going to be slaughtered so that I could put meat on the table for my family. I remember seeing the bull a couple of times, but then after he was taken to the meat packing place, I simply showed up with a check and the boxes of meat were loaded into my car. I think the part that is disturbing me this morning is the killing process was so “hands on”.  I wonder if that was so the people would consider their life before God and think about their depth of their sin and disobedience.

¹ The Lord called to Moses from the Tabernacle and said to him, ² “Give the following instructions to the people of Israel. When you present an animal as an offering to the Lord, you may take it from your herd of cattle or your flock of sheep and goats. (Leviticus 1:1-2 NLT)

I have a feeling that these burnt offerings really disturbed the people – like they are disturbing me. The burnt offering that Moses and Aaron offered on behalf of the people revealed just how disgusting their sin was before the Lord. The Lord loved the aroma of the burnt offering and it was the people’s way of confession and repentance.  As I read this part of the history of Israel, I’m so thankful for what Jesus did on the cross to become the Ultimate Sacrifice for sin. When I think of Jesus dying on the cross, I get a little disgusted with myself. I am so self-centered, and I want what I want when I want it. Sin is fun for a season, but the consequences usually are way more costly than I imagined.  I want my life to be a pleasing aroma to the Lord by my heart-driven obedience to the Lord.  If my heart is right before Him, my behavior follows.

Pressing On!

Dwayne