From Eden to the Table: A Lenten Reflection on Offering, Anointing, and Redemption

Worship, Wisdom & Wilderness

As the CEO of Policy Over Politics, I often find it a blessing to notice how themes of governance, policy, politics, and stewardship are deeply woven throughout the Bible. But today, I paused from my usual analysis and allowed myself to receive the Word — not to dissect it through a policy lens, but to let it minister to my spirit.

I have the day off, and with a little extra time and space, I dove deeper into my devotional reading. I’m still catching up on my 365-day Bible plan — currently on Day 62 of 78 — and right now, I’m journeying through the Book of Numbers. This morning, what stood out most were the offerings and provisions described in those wilderness chapters. As I read, something shifted in me — I began connecting patterns across four distinct periods of Scripture. I can only describe that clarity as a gift from God — a quiet but powerful reminder that He’s always speaking, always teaching, and always loving.

With “Good Good Father” playing on repeat in the background, I felt overwhelmed by how deeply God loves me — not just as a leader or a student of policy, but as His daughter. So today, I’m choosing to share something personal — not a policy brief, not an analysis — but simply a moment of faith and reflection. These are my morning thoughts, rooted in Scripture, steeped in gratitude, and shaped by the God who continues to guide me — in the wilderness, at the table, and in every season of life.

The Significance of 40: Testing, Transformation, and Trust

In Scripture, the number 40 represents a sacred period of testing, preparation, and transformation. Whether 40 days or 40 years, God often uses this number to form hearts, shift perspectives, and prepare His people for promise.

“Remember the long road on which the Lord your God led you during these forty years in the desert so he could humble you, testing you to find out what was in your heart...”—Deuteronomy 8:2 (CEB)

The 40 years in the wilderness weren’t just punishment — they were divine preparation. Through manna, grain offerings, and the tabernacle, God taught Israel how to trust Him day by day, even when the path was uncertain.

“Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness. There he was tempted by the devil for forty days.”—Luke 4:1–2 (CEB)

Likewise, Jesus’ 40 days in the wilderness echo Israel’s journey — but unlike them, He passed the test. Now, in Lent, our 40 days are a personal and communal walk toward the cross — not to earn anything, but to remember everything Jesus already gave.

Eden: Worship Rooted in Glory

“A river flows from Eden to water the garden, and from there it divides into four headwaters… The first is the Pishon… That land’s gold is pure, and the land also has sweet-smelling resins and gemstones.”—Genesis 2:10–12 (CEB)

Before sin, Eden overflowed with gold, resin, and beauty — elements that would later become central to Israel’s worship and offerings. Resin, with its sweet aroma, prefigured frankincense and myrrh, eventually used to layer over sin and make worship bearable in a fallen world.

In Eden, worship was pure and direct. After the fall, God introduced scent — like spiritual Febreze — to cover the stench of sin until the true offering could come.

Wilderness: Provisions, Sacrifice, and Fragrance

“The priest will take a handful of the choice flour and oil from the tribute offering and all of the incense… It is a food gift of soothing smell to the Lord.”—Leviticus 2:2 (CEB)

“The manna was like coriander seed and looked like resin… It tasted like baked goods cooked with olive oil.”—Numbers 11:7–8 (CEB)

In the wilderness, Israel learned to worship with what little they had. God accepted flour, oil, and incense — simple things — as holy when offered in faith. The fragrance of the offerings was necessary — not because God needed it, but because humanity needed grace.

Even manna looked like resin, reminding them daily of God’s provision and His layered mercy — a foreshadowing of the Bread of Life who would come.

Jesus: The Fulfillment of Every Offering

“They opened their treasure chests and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.”—Matthew 2:11 (CEB)

At Jesus’ birth, the wise men brought Eden’s symbols back into view:

• Gold for the King

• Frankincense for the Priest

• Myrrh for the Sacrifice

  
  

“Mary… anointed Jesus’ feet with perfume… The house was filled with the aroma of the perfume.”—John 12:3 (CEB)

“Jesus said, ‘Leave her alone. This perfume was to be used in preparation for my burial.’”—John 12:7 (CEB)

Before the crucifixion, Mary’s perfume became a living grain offering, poured out in prophetic worship. She didn’t know the full picture, but God did. Her scent didn’t cover sin — it prepared the sacrifice that would remove it.

The Cross and Communion: From Scent to Sacrifice

“Christ loved us and gave himself for us as a sacrificial offering that smelled sweet to God.”—Ephesians 5:2 (CEB)

“We have been made holy by God’s will through the offering of Jesus Christ’s body once for all.”—Hebrews 10:10 (CEB)

“So let’s come near to the throne of favor with confidence…”—Hebrews 4:16 (CEB)

At the cross, the need for fragrance was finished. There was no more need to mask sin — because Jesus took it all. Now, our worship doesn’t pass through incense — it passes through the blood of the Lamb, and goes straight to the Father.

“The cup of blessing that we bless is a sharing in the blood of Christ… The loaf of bread that we break is a sharing in the body of Christ…”—1 Corinthians 10:16 (CEB)

At communion, we eat the bread of Jesus, our wilderness manna, our grain offering fulfilled. We drink the cup of the new covenant, no longer afraid, no longer separated.

Side-by-Side: Sacrifices in the Wilderness vs. the Cross

Wilderness Sacrifices	Jesus' Crucifixion
Repeated offerings (daily, annually)	Once-for-all sacrifice (Hebrews 10:10)
Grain offering: flour, oil, frankincense	Body of Christ: pure, without blemish
Aroma layered over sin	Jesus removed sin completely (John 1:29)
Priests ate part of the offering	We partake in communion (1 Cor. 10:16)
Manna: daily provision like resin	Jesus: Bread of Life (John 6:35)
Worship through smoke and separation	Worship through Spirit and direct access

Worship Without Barriers: A Closing Reflection

This morning reminded me: God no longer needs incense to mask our sins. Because of Jesus, our true worship rises freely — from hearts surrendered, without separation or shame. Jesus didn’t layer over sin — He lifted it off us, fully and forever.

This Lent, I’m reminded to pour myself out like Mary — to trust God like Israel gathering manna — to worship like Eden, but through the lens of the cross. And I’m so thankful that my Good Good Father receives it all — not through smoke, but through His Son.