Then take them from their hands and burn them on the altar along with the burnt offering for a pleasing aroma to the LORD, a food offering presented to the LORD. Exodus 29:25

For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. 2 Corinthians 2:15

Numerous times, when explaining the sacrifices, God speaks of the smell coming from the altars as a “pleasing aroma.” Now we all like the smell of a barbecue roasting steaks or grilling hamburgers, but is that what God is responding to?

God does not have a stomach and nasal passages, that activate hunger pains and saliva glands, but he does appreciate seeing people sacrifice in faith and obedience.

What pleased God was the sacrifice revealing the obedience of the people to follow his laws.

In 2 Corinthians, Paul relates a Christian’s love and good deeds amongst the unsaved as the same pleasing aroma of Christ. Obviously Christians don’t literally smell like Christ, but they give off a scent of love and sacrifice to others around them.