The Smell of Dog Pee in the Morning

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"And I will lay your cities waste and will make your sanctuaries desolate, and I will not smell your pleasing aromas."

Leviticus 26:31, ESV

I'm on a bit of a heavy theme in my own personal growth and, by association, this blog. Mea Culpa.

Yet, I also like heavy Biblical themes; they are often the ones I need to meditate on the most. In addition to doing a deep dive of Hosea this year, I'm also following along with reading the weekly Torah portion ("Parashah") We recently wrapped up everyone's favorite: Leviticus.

I actually enjoyed it more this time than I have in the past. That's not really saying much as my feelings toward it previously set the bar for improvement really low. I can't deny though, that there are beautiful, critical teachings contained in this ancient book.

My current Bible is called "The Complete Jewish Study Bible." I absolutely love the structure and translation. At the end of each Torah portion, it offers additional New Testament readings that are thematically aligned with the Old Testament passage being read. It's helped me connect so many dots between the old and the new.

Leviticus 26 contains beautiful promises and harsh warnings regarding the keeping/breaking of God's covenant with Israel. Verse 31, featured above, warns the people that if they do not follow God's commands, then their sacrifices of animals and incense will be worthless. More than that, God will destroy their cities so he doesn't have to smell them!

Yikes - so in modern imagery, is this implying that if I break God's commands and teachings all week, he would rather me not lift my voice in worship on Sunday morning so he doesn't have to listen to my meaningless worship?

I'll let you decide if that's a good 1-for-1 comparison, but it convicted me.

One of the New Testament suggestions for this Torah portion was John 14, particularly verse 15: “If you love me [Jesus], you will keep my commandments."

It isn't enough to tell Jesus that we love him. We show him we love him by obeying his words.

An additional New Testament verse comes to mind: "For we are the aroma of Christ to God (2 Cor. 2:15)."

Squirrel can never pass up a good smell. He and I certainly differ on our definition of "good." I tried to get him to smell some lilacs with me, but he staunchly refused and continued to pull toward a stop sign covered in dog pee.

To each their own.

I want my life to be the kind of aroma that God loves, the kind that He wants to stop and smell because it gives him so much pleasure.

But maybe it can be a little more lavender-scented, and a little less fifthly Big Mac wrapper.