The last part of Numbers chapter 29 tells of all the sacrifices that would be offered to the Lord on each day of the 8 days of the Feast of Tabernacles. After the listing of the sacrifices for the first day and also after the listing of the sacrifices for the eight day there is a phrase that serves as bookends. The phrase is, “a sweet smelling aroma” to the Lord.
This is the point of all worship, then and today. It’s always to give pleasure to God. This was Jesus’ whole goal in life, to please the father. Both at Jesus’ baptism and at the transfiguration we hear God speak from heaven and say, “This is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased.” Jesus also said that he came “to do the will of my father.” Jesus’ entire life was a “sweet smelling aroma” to God. That should be our goal in life as well. We will never be able to live the perfect life that Jesus lived, but as Peter tells us, “we have everything we need to live a life that pleases God. It was all given to us by God’s own power, when we learned that he had invited us to share in his wonderful goodness.” The writer of Hebrews even offers a prayer for us in 13:21. He says, “May Jesus help you do what pleases God. To Jesus Christ be glory forever and ever! Amen.”