Issue 1241 – Fresh Baked – September 6, 2023
The aroma of freshly baked bread has always been one of my favourites. Perhaps it’s because mom always baked bread and buns when we were growing up, so it is a comforting smell. Yet, I also know that many other people enjoy that scent. Realtors recommend putting a loaf of bread in the evening before a showing to increase the feeling of a “comfortable home” in your property.
There are other scents as well. The smell of freshly brewed coffee. Frying onions and garlic works up an appetite for many. In the years we worked concession stands for the kids’ ball tournaments, one of the first things we would do was put a pan of onions and garlic to fry. Sales on those days were always higher.
Some smells are personal. I like the scent of many pipe tobaccos because my father used to smoke a pipe. I like the aroma of bacon frying and campfire toast because they remind me of pleasant times in the outdoors. Perhaps some scents remind you of loved ones or enjoyable times.
Some herbs, WD-40, freshly mown grass, and fresh sawdust are among my favourites. Old leather, the smell of a new vehicle and more are up there for me, too.
Some smells can’t be smelled by some people. I know my mom and I have both tracked horses based on the odour of their perspiration when others couldn’t smell anything.
Some smells are unpleasant, and few like the smell of stale, sweaty feet or a skunk’s defensive spray. I have tried some colognes over the years that reacted unfavourably to my body chemistry and reeked.
Most people use scented personal hygiene items such as their soaps or shampoos. Colognes, body sprays and perfumes sell like crazy because it is thought they can attract members of the opposite sex.
That is to say that many smells bring pleasant thoughts to mind.
The Bible speaks repeatedly of fragrances that are pleasing to God.
And the priest shall burn them on the altar as a food offering with a pleasing aroma. All fat is the Lord’s. Leviticus 3:16
And burn the whole ram on the altar. It is a burnt offering to the Lord. It is a pleasing aroma, a food offering to the Lord. Exodus 29:18
For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, 2 Corinthians 2:15
And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. Ephesians 5:2
God is spirit; that is, he has no body. Therefore, it follows that he has no nose and can have no sense of smell. So why are things a pleasing aroma, a fragrant offering?
Just as smell can evoke powerful emotions and memories in us, the same general concept can be applied to God. Certain things are pleasing to God. The metaphor of a pleasant aroma is one that we can relate to and paints a word picture we can imagine.
Through Christ, we can be pleasing to God; that is a marvellous gift.
May your life smell pleasing to God.
Be blessed
Hallelu Yah / Praise God
Kevin
Gleanings From The Word
Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life.
Soli Deo Gloria (For the glory of God alone)
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All contents, “Gleanings From The Word” and “Experience an Extraordinary God in Ordinary Life,” are © 2001, 2023 KF “Kevin” Corbin Gleanings From The Word.
Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture is from the English Standard Version (ESV).
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