What Is A Sweet-Smelling Aroma To God?
The sweet smell of incense rising to heaven or the pleasing scent of flowers and herbs are common biblical metaphors for something that is pleasing and acceptable to God. If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer to your question: According to the Bible, actions like prayer, praise, and righteous living are considered a sweet aroma to God.
In this comprehensive article, we will explore the biblical foundation behind this metaphor, analyze key passages, and help you understand what the Bible means when it refers to certain things as a ‘soothing aroma’ or ‘pleasing aroma’ to God.
We will cover questions like: What does the Bible say is a sweet smelling aroma to God? Why does God delight in certain smells and aromas? What spiritual meaning and symbolism is behind this metaphor? By the end, you’ll have a thorough understanding of this important biblical concept.
The Origin of Sweet Aroma Imagery in the Bible
Incense and Burnt Offerings in the Old Testament
The use of sweet fragrances in worship can be traced back to the Old Testament. Incense and burnt offerings are frequently mentioned as being pleasing to God (Exodus 30:34-38). The smoke rising from spices like frankincense and myrrh was seen as symbolizing the prayers of the people rising to heaven (Psalm 141:2).
The sweet aroma was said to be soothing and welcoming to God.
New Testament References to Fragrant Aroma
The New Testament picks up similar imagery. Paul describes donations given to help the poor as “a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God” (Philippians 4:18). Here, the act of generosity gives off a metaphorical sweet smell.
In 2 Corinthians 2:14-16, the apostle says that to God, Christians are the “aroma of Christ” in the world – like the pleasing smell of incense constantly rising from the earth.
The Significance of Soothing Fragrances
The soothing nature of fragrant incense and spices would have stood in sharp contrast to the foul odors encountered in the ancient world. Sweet smells spoke subtly of purity, joy, and the divine presence.
The familiar passage in Psalm 23 evokes this powerfully: “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.” The oil represents blessing and abundance from God.
So references to sweet aroma throughout the Bible often signify the blessings of God bestowed on his faithful people. The images reflect God’s grace poured out, made tangible through the sense of smell.
Key Biblical Passages on Sweet Aromas to God
Prayers as Sweet Incense
The Bible often uses the imagery of incense or sweet-smelling smoke to represent the prayers of God’s people. In Revelation 5:8, the prayers of the saints are described as “golden bowls full of incense.” Psalm 141:2 also compares prayer to incense: “May my prayer be set before you like incense.”
Just as incense rises up to heaven in smoke and fragrance, so do the earnest prayers of believers rise up to God as something sweet and pleasing to Him.
Generosity and Righteous Living
Not only prayer, but righteous living and generosity are said to be like sweet aromas to God. Philippians 4:18 describes financial gifts given to support ministry work as “a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God.”
And in 2 Corinthians 2:15, Christians who live faithfully and spread the gospel are “the aroma of Christ” in the world around them. Their Christlike lives give off a sweet savor that is delightful to God.
Christ’s Sacrifice as a Fragrant Offering
The strongest Biblical example of a sweet aroma to God is the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ on the cross. Ephesians 5:2 instructs us to “walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”
When Jesus gave up His life to redeem mankind from sin, it was a supreme act of love and obedience that God considered a pleasing and fragrant offering, restoring the relationship between God and humanity.
So in many ways, from earnest prayer to righteous living to sacrifices of praise and resources to follow Jesus, believers can give off sweet fragrances that delight God and draw us closer to Him.
What Does the Bible Mean by Sweet-smelling Aroma?
Symbol of Something Pleasing and Acceptable
In the Bible, the term “sweet-smelling aroma” is used metaphorically to represent something that is pleasing and acceptable to God. It refers to the fragrance of burnt offerings and sacrifices made by the people as an act of worship and reverence to God (Genesis 8:21, Exodus 29:18).
The aroma is said to be sweet-smelling or soothing to God, indicating that He accepts and is pleased by the offering.
This term is first used when Noah offers burnt offerings after the flood and God promises to never again destroy the earth (Genesis 8:21). Burnt offerings of animals or grains created a pleasant smell when burned on the altar.
So, the term became a metaphor for offerings and worship that are pleasing to God.
Some examples of sweet-smelling aroma in the Bible include: the sacrifices offered by the patriarchs Abraham and Noah (Genesis 8:21, 15:17), burnt offerings and sin offerings commanded by God (Exodus 29:18, Leviticus 1:9,16, 2:2), and incense offered along with the showbread in the Tabernacle (Leviticus 24:7).
The aroma that pleased God symbolized the sincerity and righteousness behind the act of worship and sacrifice.
Metaphor for Righteousness and Devotion
In some instances, the term “soothing aroma” is used to refer figuratively to good, righteous, or God-pleasing actions and devotion. For example, Psalm 141:2 says, “Let my prayer be set before you like incense, my uplifted hands like the evening offering.”
Here, the prayer and raised hands of worship are compared to the sweet aroma of incense and burnt offerings.
Ephesians 5:2 also uses “sweet-smelling aroma” as a metaphor: “And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” Jesus’ sacrificial death and righteous act of love are described as a fragrant offering to God.
So, in these verses, it is not a literal burnt offering creating the sweet smell, but rather righteous, praiseworthy actions that are said to be pleasing to God.
An Act of Worship and Reverence
Ultimately, the biblical phrase “soothing aroma” accentuates that the sacrifices and offerings were meaningful acts of worship, not just rituals. The sweet smell represented the sincerity, love, righteousness, and honorable motives behind the sacrifice, not the burnt flesh itself.
In a religious sense, the term reminds that God is pleased when our actions and service to Him are done out of reverence and love. External acts mean little if the heart’s motives are not righteous.
Whether in the Old Testament ceremonial sense or New Testament spiritual sense, the idea of presenting a sweet-smelling aroma to God emphasizes that He desires heartfelt worship, righteousness, and devotion from His people.
Why Does God Delight in Certain Aromas?
These Aromas Represent Spiritual Devotion
Certain sweet aromas like frankincense and myrrh have been used in worship and prayer for thousands of years. When offered to God, they represent the devotion and reverence of the giver. The rising smoke carries one’s prayers and petitions up to heaven.
Throughout the Bible, fragrant incense and perfumes were associated with the priests and tabernacle worship. God told Moses to make incense with a unique and holy recipe that was only to be used in the tabernacle (Exodus 30:34-38). The psalmist said his prayer was to God like incense (Psalm 141:2).
Even in heaven, incense represents the prayers of the saints (Revelation 5:8). So aromas like frankincense and myrrh symbolize the sincerity and depth of one’s spiritual devotion.
They Are Given Freely Out of Love and Reverence
These exotic and expensive spices were reserved for special religious occasions and for honoring kings and deity. Commoners used cheaper locally available spices. When someone gave precious frankincense or myrrh, it showed their high esteem and honor for the recipient.
The magi bringing gold, frankincense and myrrh to the young Jesus showed their understanding of his divine royal status (Matthew 2:11). Mary anointing Jesus’ feet with pure spikenard worth a year’s wages displayed her devotion (John 12:3).
When spices were given as free gifts, it demonstrated love, sacrifice, and reverence for God and godly men. The aroma was like the invisible essence of their righteous hearts rising to the heavens.
They Point to Christ’s Sacrifice
Frankincense and myrrh also foreshadowed Jesus’ sacrifice and death. Burned in worship, they reminded people that only by sacrifice and death of an innocent victim could their sins be forgiven. When Mary anointed Jesus’ feet with myrrh perfume before his death, it was prophetic of his burial (John 12:7).
The wine mixed with myrrh given at the crucifixion was analgesic, dulling Jesus’ pain (Mark 15:23). Yet he refused this relief to fully endure the suffering for our sins. The myrrh points to the excruciating price paid to purchase our salvation.
And frankincense symbolizes the priestly role of Christ interceding between God and sinful man. Truly these aromatic spices help us appreciate Christ’s sacrifice and draw closer to God.
Applying This Imagery to Our Walk with God
When we think of sweet aromas, it often evokes thoughts of flowers, baked goods, or pleasant scents. However, the Bible uses imagery of sweet aromas in a different way – to represent something that is pleasing and acceptable to God.
Just as we delight in lovely fragrances, God delights when His people live in ways that align with His will and character.
So how can we apply this concept to our daily walk with God? Here are some ideas:
1. Offer Sacrifices of Praise
In the Old Testament, burnt offerings were seen as a “soothing aroma to the Lord” (Leviticus 1:9). While we no longer offer animal sacrifices, the New Testament calls us to offer spiritual sacrifices of praise and thanksgiving, which are pleasing to God (Hebrews 13:15).
When we choose gratitude and joy, it sends a sweet fragrance heavenward.
2. Do Good Deeds
God also delights when His followers “do good deeds” motivated by faith and love. Like incense wafting upwards, acts of service and generosity done in Jesus’ name bring a smile to our Father’s face (Hebrews 13:16).
Making a meal for a sick neighbor, donating goods to a shelter—these sacrificial gifts spread sweet aromas.
3. Walk in Love
Most importantly, God’s deepest delight comes when His children walk in love. Just as the most valuable perfume fills the air with fragrance, when we allow His love to flow through us, it creates a beautiful scent that surrounds us.
Things like patience during trials, forgiveness of wrongs, and compassion for the hurting leave a wake of sweet aroma.
The Scriptures encourage believers to be “imitators of God” by living lives of love (Ephesians 5:1-2). This brings great joy to our Father, like a child that resembles their parent. What a marvelous privilege!
As we apply these ideas of pleasing offerings, righteous deeds, and love-motivated actions, our daily walk with Christ releases “the aroma of the knowledge of him” into our surroundings (2 Corinthians 2:14). Those around us get a whiff of His goodness.
Conclusion
In this comprehensive exploration of sweet-smelling aromas in the Bible, we’ve seen that fragrant incense, smoke, and living offerings served as metaphor to represent the prayers, praise, righteousness and devotion that are pleasing and acceptable to God.
More than just poetic imagery, this concept contains rich theological meaning regarding the nature of true worship, the intention of our hearts before God, and the ultimate sacrifice of Christ that enables our relationship with the Father.
As we seek to grow closer to God, considering how even our attitudes and actions have spiritual aromas before him can reorient our perspective toward greater reverence, righteousness and devotion.
