The Sweet Aroma of Sacrifice: An Offering of Our Lives
"And the priest shall take from the meat offering a memorial thereof, and shall burn it upon the altar: it is an offering made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the LORD." - Leviticus 2:9
Leviticus 2:9 states, "And the priest shall take from the meat offering a memorial thereof, and shall burn it upon the altar: it is an offering made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the LORD." This verse, tucked within the instructions regarding the various offerings in Leviticus, carries deep significance, not only in the context of ancient Israelite worship but also for us today as we consider what it means to bring acceptable offerings before our God.
### Understanding the Meat Offering
The meat offering, or grain offering, signifies a different aspect of worship compared to sin offerings or peace offerings. It represents gratitude and dedication to God, expressing that everything we have—including our very lives—comes from Him. It is an acknowledgment of His provision and grace. The act of giving something back to God, especially when it costs us something personal, is at the heart of worship. As we analyze this offering, we gain insight into the kind of sacrifices we are called to make in our own lives.
### The Role of the Priest
In the verse, the priest plays a critical role. He is the mediator, the one who takes the offering, sets it apart as holy, and presents it to God. We must remember that through Jesus Christ, our great High Priest, we too can bring our offerings directly to God without an intermediary.
In a practical sense, this calls us to be active participants in our worship. As we approach God with our offerings, we are to carefully consider what we are giving Him—our time, our talents, our resources, and even our heart’s desires. As the priest took a memorial portion and burned it on the altar, we must also make intentional choices about what we offer to God: Is it our best? Is it pleasing to Him? Does it bring Him glory?
### A Sweet Savor to the LORD
The meat offering was said to produce a ‘sweet savour’ unto the Lord. The phrase ‘sweet savour’ reflects God’s pleasure with the offering. In our context, this sweet aroma can symbolize our genuine worship and the heartfelt sincerity of our lives offered before Him. When we align our will with His and provide Him with our true selves, it creates a fragrance that delights the Lord.
It’s essential to note the contrast here: The beauty of a sacrifice is not merely in the act of giving but in the attitude and intent behind that act. If our offerings are tainted with selfishness, grudging obedience, or hypocrisy, they do not produce the sweet aroma intended. God desires authenticity in worship. He longs for us to present ourselves genuinely, reflecting our true relationship with Him.
### Practical Application: Offering Our Lives
How do we translate this ancient practice into contemporary faith? The answer lies in our daily lives and choices. It could mean volunteering our time to serve others, offering encouragement to a friend in need, or sharing our resources with those less fortunate. It might also manifest as spending time in quiet devotion, seeking God’s guidance and wisdom in decisions, or pursuing holistic spiritual growth.
Moreover, consider your profession or daily activities. Are you offering them as a sacrifice of praise and worship? When our hearts are aligned with God’s purpose, even our mundane actions can become offerings that hold eternal significance. As we strive to be living sacrifices (Romans 12:1), we are experiencing the sweet aroma of our lives on God’s altar.
### Conclusion
Let us reflect on our offerings today. Are we presenting our lives as a sweet aroma to the Lord? May we be stirred to live with gratitude and dedication, ensuring that what we give is an accurate reflection of our love for our Creator. As we burn our offerings on the altar of service, we can trust that our sweet savor is pleasing to our Father, who delights in the heart of His children.
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Leviticus 2:9 - "And the priest shall take from the meat offering a memorial thereof, and shall burn it upon the altar: it is an offering made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the LORD."
"And the priest shall take from the meat offering a memorial thereof, and shall burn it upon the altar: it is an offering made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the LORD." - Leviticus 2:9
Leviticus 9:2 - "And he said unto Aaron, Take thee a young calf for a sin offering, and a ram for a burnt offering, without blemish, and offer them before the LORD."
Leviticus 23:9 - "¶ And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,"
Leviticus 9:16 - "And he brought the burnt offering, and offered it according to the manner."
Leviticus 9:11 - "And the flesh and the hide he burnt with fire without the camp."
Leviticus 13:9 - "¶ When the plague of leprosy is in a man, then he shall be brought unto the priest;"
Leviticus 9:20 - "And they put the fat upon the breasts, and he burnt the fat upon the altar:"
Leviticus 9:9 - "And the sons of Aaron brought the blood unto him: and he dipped his finger in the blood, and put it upon the horns of the altar, and poured out the blood at the bottom of the altar:"
Leviticus 15:9 - "And what saddle soever he rideth upon that hath the issue shall be unclean."
Leviticus 9:14 - "And he did wash the inwards and the legs, and burnt them upon the burnt offering on the altar."
Leviticus 9:8 - "¶ Aaron therefore went unto the altar, and slew the calf of the sin offering, which was for himself."
Leviticus 9:1 - "And it came to pass on the eighth day, that Moses called Aaron and his sons, and the elders of Israel;"
Leviticus 9:19 - "And the fat of the bullock and of the ram, the rump, and that which covereth the inwards, and the kidneys, and the caul above the liver:"
Leviticus 9:21 - "And the breasts and the right shoulder Aaron waved for a wave offering before the LORD; as Moses commanded."
Leviticus 7:9 - "And all the meat offering that is baken in the oven, and all that is dressed in the fryingpan, and in the pan, shall be the priest's that offereth it."
"¶ And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying," - Leviticus 23:9
Leviticus 16:9 - "And Aaron shall bring the goat upon which the LORD'S lot fell, and offer him for a sin offering."
Leviticus 9:13 - "And they presented the burnt offering unto him, with the pieces thereof, and the head: and he burnt them upon the altar."
Leviticus 9:5 - "¶ And they brought that which Moses commanded before the tabernacle of the congregation: and all the congregation drew near and stood before the LORD."
Leviticus 9:17 - "And he brought the meat offering, and took an handful thereof, and burnt it upon the altar, beside the burnt sacrifice of the morning."
Leviticus 26:9 - "For I will have respect unto you, and make you fruitful, and multiply you, and establish my covenant with you."
Leviticus 9:15 - "¶ And he brought the people's offering, and took the goat, which was the sin offering for the people, and slew it, and offered it for sin, as the first."
Leviticus 9:10 - "But the fat, and the kidneys, and the caul above the liver of the sin offering, he burnt upon the altar; as the LORD commanded Moses."
Leviticus 9:23 - "And Moses and Aaron went into the tabernacle of the congregation, and came out, and blessed the people: and the glory of the LORD appeared unto all the people."
Leviticus 4:9 - "And the two kidneys, and the fat that is upon them, which is by the flanks, and the caul above the liver, with the kidneys, it shall he take away,"
Leviticus 9:6 - "And Moses said, This is the thing which the LORD commanded that ye should do: and the glory of the LORD shall appear unto you."
Leviticus 27:9 - "And if it be a beast, whereof men bring an offering unto the LORD, all that any man giveth of such unto the LORD shall be holy."
Leviticus 11:9 - "¶ These shall ye eat of all that are in the waters: whatsoever hath fins and scales in the waters, in the seas, and in the rivers, them shall ye eat."
"And he brought the burnt offering, and offered it according to the manner." - Leviticus 9:16