“But the internal organs and the legs must first be washed with water.
Then the priest will burn the entire sacrifice on the altar as a burnt offering.
It is a special gift, a pleasing aroma to the Lord.”
Leviticus 1:9
Soon after moving into the Tabernacle, God detailed the offerings the people could bring to His House. I may not understand all those sacrifices, but their principles certainly apply to my own relationship with God.
What intrigues me first is the cleansing process of the animals brought for sacrifice. God required two specific areas to be washed…the internal organs and the legs. Likewise, I must keep my heart pure, and continue to wash off the dirt that collects from walking in this world.
Second, there’s a certain phrase I often see in Leviticus, but only in connection with a burning sacrifice. No matter what type or size offering a person gave, the burning of that sacrifice was always “…a pleasing aroma to the Lord.” Only through burning was the offering totally consumed, and that aroma brought pleasure to God.
I wonder…does my life bring Him pleasure? I may have “given my life to God as a living sacrifice,” but do I allow my sacrifice to be burned up? Or do I take back part of my life to use as I want? Pleasing God means not simply laying my sacrifice on the altar, but also allowing it to be totally consumed by His fire.
Cleaned and consumed…may my life be a pleasing aroma to my God!
