Give this command to the Israelites and say to them: ‘Make sure that you present to me at the appointed time my food offerings, as an aroma pleasing to me.’
Numbers 28:2 NIV
In Numbers 28 and 29, God gave Moses specific instructions about the offerings the Israelites were to bring before Him. Throughout these chapters, one phrase appears repeatedly — “pleasing to the Lord.”
This repetition is not accidental. It reveals a divine standard — God’s unwavering expectation that every offering must be pleasing and acceptable to Him. Though the type of animal, the quantity, and the occasion differed, the essence remained the same. What mattered most was not the size or cost of the sacrifice but the heart behind it. God measured each offering by its sincerity and obedience, not by its grandeur.
From the daily sacrifices to the monthly festivals, from Passover to the Feast of Weeks, the same truth resounded: every offering must be “a pleasing aroma to the Lord.” God’s standard of acceptance has never been based on human measure. It has always been rooted in the heart of purity, humility, and devotion.
Centuries later, the apostle Paul echoed this same truth in Romans 12:1 (NIV):
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.”
The Passion Translation beautifully expands on this: “Beloved friends, what should be our proper response to God’s marvellous mercies? To surrender yourselves to God to be His sacred, living sacrifices, and live in holiness, experiencing all that delights His heart. For this becomes your genuine expression of worship.”
The Amplified Classic adds even more depth, describing this as “a decisive dedication of your bodies… wholly devoted, consecrated, and well pleasing to God.”
Under the Old Covenant, the Israelites brought the blood of animals before God as a sacrifice. Today, under the New Covenant, there is no need for such offerings, for the blood of Jesus has been shed once and for all. Yet this does not mean God no longer desires sacrifice. He still calls His people to bring an offering — not of bulls or goats, but of themselves.
God calls us to offer our bodies as living sacrifices. This does not mean a physical death but a complete yielding of every part of our lives to Him. The “old man” — our sinful nature — must die so that the life of Christ can shine through us. True worship begins when we allow God to use our bodies, minds, and abilities however He chooses. Every thought, action, and intention must be placed upon the altar of surrender.
In the Old Testament, God required that every animal offered be without defect. In the same way, our lives must be consecrated and pure before Him. Yet it was not enough for an animal to be flawless; it also had to be presented with the right heart. Likewise, our lives must not only appear good outwardly, but they must also flow from hearts fully yielded to God.
Whatever we do — in service, worship, or daily living — must first and foremost be pleasing to the Lord. It is not about impressing others or performing religious acts; it is about living in a way that delights His heart. When our worship flows from surrender, it becomes genuine, and our actions reflect the beauty of His will.
Paul reminds us that this is our “true and proper worship.” Without such surrender, our devotion remains incomplete. But when we yield our lives wholly to God, everything else aligns — our speech, conduct, and obedience all bear witness to His transforming presence within us.
When God says, “Go,” we go. When He says, “Speak,” we speak. In those moments, it is no longer we who act, but Christ working through us. A life that pleases God is not one of striving but of surrender — a life laid down, yet fully alive in Him.
Living It Out
God still seeks offerings that please Him — not from the altar of stone, but from the altar of the heart. Take time today to surrender every part of your life to Him. Offer your body, your thoughts, your talents, and your plans as a living sacrifice.
Ask the Holy Spirit to refine your motives and purify your heart, so that your life becomes an offering that rises before God as a sweet-smelling aroma. Remember, true worship is not just what you sing on Sunday; it is how you live every day.