RPG Adults
SWEET SAVOUR UNTO THE LORD
MONDAY, APRIL 8
Leviticus 2
2 Corinthians 9:6-8
“…to be an offering made by fire,
of a sweet savour unto the LORD.”
SWEET SAVOUR UNTO THE LORD
The literal meaning of the phrase “sweet savour” (Lev 2:2) is “a delightful scent.” This is the sweetest praise that a sinner can hope to receive from God. The LORD has made it clear that man’s righteousness is as filthy rags in His sight. Isaiah 64:6: “But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.” It is no wonder. Man is conceived and born in sin. He lives a sin-filled life. He sins with his lips. He lusts in his heart and mind. His deeds are beyond evil and wicked. There is nothing he can do on earth that can ever ascend to heaven and be a sweet savour unto the LORD. Yet, the LORD has made a freewill offering to be a sweet savour unto Him when it is offered rightly, according to Scripture.
There must be no leaven. Honey was also not permitted. According to John Gill, honey was used by the heathens at that time for the worship of idols. This was a clear distinction between the worship of the LORD and of the Gentile gods around Israel. It must be seasoned with salt. It must be offered by faith, and from a heart that was sincere and grateful. It was not to be done mechanically or ritualistically even though all things were done rightly according to the Levitical Law. The LORD sees the heart of the worshipper, as well as his offering. If the heart is right, then the offering will be done right according to Scripture.
Every believer today must offer freewill offerings rather than the tithe that he has to bring every Lord’s Day. Bringing offerings that God has stipulated is good. But to bring freewill offerings constrained by love for Him is better. They will ascend as a sweet savour unto the LORD. The LORD will receive them as grateful offerings from thankful children who love and obey Him. These freewill offerings include service, gifts of love to God’s people, words of encouragement, visits to the sick, and all things that are holy and good. Serving the LORD constrained by His love is a freewill offering that will ascend as a sweet savour unto Him.
MEMORISATION: Leviticus 2:16
PRAYER: I thank Thee, O Father, for Jesus, my burnt offering sacrifice, who suffered and died for me. In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen.