My sense of smell is somewhat compromised, likely a side-effect either of a severe nasal problem during my childhood or the constant use of 1970s sprays, ointments, and other medications to treat it. Some scents seem unaffected: strawberries and such, thank heaven; sulfur and such, thank…well, perhaps thanks are out of place there. But many aromas are, although obvious, indistinct; something is in the air, I’m just not sure whether it’s from a candle or a dog.
God’s people (Ezekiel 20:41), their prayers (Revelation 5:8), and their sacrifices (Genesis 8:21) are the kinds of scents that rise as a pleasant aroma to him—Messiah’s offering the medley of them all (Ephesians 5:2). There are stenches as well, such as those who use pretentious righteousness to create distance from others (Isaiah 65:5).
In his Greek description of history’s culmination, John converts the smoke and scent of every source into the aroma of one Hebrew word. “’Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God, for his judgments are true and just….’ Once more they cried out, ‘Hallelujah! The smoke from her goes up forever and ever’” (Revelation 19:1-3).
Many things do not smell right today. Some things bear no smell at all to us. But there will come a day when we sense everything finally rising to God in hallelujahs.
May this week’s prayers to him and service to each other be the scent anticipating that day’s hallelujah.