Day 28, or January the 28th. Fragrant Aroma and
Covenant in Writing. Our thoughts today are rooted
in Exodus chapter 31, verse 18. When the Lord
finished speaking to Moses on Mount Sinai, he
gave him the two tablets of the covenant law,
the tablets of stone inscribed by the finger
of God. Now the big picture surrounding this
verse. An altar is described that would be part
of the tabernacle project for the children of
Israel. This would be made from wood and covered
entirely with gold. Sweet -smelling incense was
to be burned on this altar, and it would have
been very important in setting the scene for
reverent and genuine worship of the living God.
They knew that God couldn't be contained in a
tent or even a temple, but having a visual reminder
of their invisible God was very important to
them. God understood their need, which is why
he encouraged them to erect the tabernacle whenever
they stopped as they travelled to the Promised
Land. Bearing in mind that all of this was to
the glory of God, we can better understand why
so much trouble was being taken to get everything
just right. When God had finished speaking to
Moses at Mount Sinai, giving him the regulations
that would form the foundation for Judaism, and
ultimately Christianity, he handed him the two
tablets of stone on which he himself had written
the Ten Commandments. And finally our action
step for today. What sort of aroma do you leave
in a room when you leave it? Sorry if that sounds
a bit risqué, but our reading today emphasizes
how important sweet aromas are to God. In chapter
30, we read of God telling Moses how to mix a
perfume mixture, which would be a sacred anointing
oil to be used in the tabernacle. It would consist
of myrrh, cinnamon, calamus, cassia, and olive
oil. Of course, leaving a smell of perfume is
not the point I'm trying to make. What atmosphere
do you leave? Is a place better after you leave
than it was before you came? It should be, so
be careful to make a godly impression.