Numbers 23 – 31

The closer the Israelites came to the Promised Land, the more they are reminded of the expectations Yahweh has for them. The demands of faithful leadership caused Aaron, Miriam and now Moses to fall by the wayside. Eliezer has taken the place of Aaron as High Priest and Joshua will lead the people in the conquest of Canaan. The lure of following false prophets enticed many to accept the affections and seek the worldly riches of Midian. Yet, that false prophet, Balaam, would share the fate of the Midianites. It seemed that no one could live up to the expectations set by Yahweh.

In the midst of all of this turnover and turmoil, God gave instructions for the daily offerings (morning and evening) of unblemished male lambs. These were called “a pleasing aroma” and were to be for God day-by-day without fail. What Yahweh was doing was training the people to understand that there is no “day off” form God. Aaron and Moses took “a day off” and they paid the price. Similarly, taking “a day off” caused the men to lose focus and be seduced by Midian. The people and her leaders were expected to seek to be pleasing to God DAILY.

Such “sacrifice” is truly a pleasing aroma to Yahweh. In the New Testament we find the same concept applied to spiritual sacrifices. The three passages below show the pleasing aroma of the sacrifice of Jesus, the pleasing aroma of Christians providing for the needs of fellow Christians and the pleasing aroma of the church presenting the saving God to a lost world.

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.

Ephesians 5:1-2

But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned before, but you lacked opportunity. Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. Nevertheless, you have done well to share with me in my affliction. You yourselves also know, Philippians, that at the first preaching of the gospel, after I left Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving but you alone; for even in Thessalonica you sent a gift more than once for my needs. Not that I seek the gift itself, but I seek for the profit which increases to your account. But I have received everything in full and have an abundance; I am amply supplied, having received from Epaphroditus what you have sent, a fragrant aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God. And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:10-19

But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place. For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing; to the one an aroma from death to death, to the other an aroma from life to life. And who is adequate for these things?

2 Corinthians 2:14-16

We need the grace that comes from the sacrifice of Jesus DAILY.

We need the loving support and encouragement of brothers and sisters DAILY.

The world needs to see Jesus in the lives of His church DAILY.

Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

Romans 12:1-2

With such sacrifices Yahweh is well-pleased. He wants us to give of ourselves. Self-sacrifice for the good of others is pleasing to God. Think about that. I don’t have to struggle to please God for decades, either … just today.

Consider His nature. Consider His ways. Strive to love Him more!