Tuesday, Oct. 1
Exodus 30:1 – 31:18 Read it here
As we continue to read through the laws concerning worship—not just today but also in later passages—pay attention to the sensory richness of the experience.
Today’s passage has a lot about the smells of worship. There would have been ambient smells already, both pleasant and unpleasant. To those are being added the aroma of the anointing oil with its blend of spices and the smell of the burning incense. Each of these have formulas provided that are exacting and not to be used for anything else but worship.
Distinctive smells can bring strong emotional responses. Think of how you might feel if you catch a whiff of the perfume your mother wore, or the smell of a hot summer day. I’ll sometimes come across the smell of whatever cleaning chemicals were used in my first-grade classroom and suddenly remember what it was like to be there.
God understands humans…he made them.
Each of these instructions, from the smells to the colors and textures and sounds, are intended to focus the people’s thoughts on worship. They each have the ability to bring a response, sometimes very different responses. Some encourage awe, others comfort.
These physical prompts to worship were important in a time when most of the people couldn’t read or write, but they also speak to us in a way that can go beyond intellectual understanding.
In reading passages like this, don’t just try to imagine what it would have looked like, or smelled like or sounded like, but try to imagine what it would have felt like: what emotions would it have brought out? You might find some clues for how to deepen your own worship or prayer experience.