Two Extremes

by R. Darke, Victoria, B.C., Canada | Category: General | Sept 1987

Smells vary, and their extremes sometimes teach valuable lessons. This might be so with the smell of the field (Gen. 27:27) and the smell of Lebanon (Hos. 14:6).

Isaac was a dying man, and his poor sight hindered him from recognizing his son Jacob in the guise of Esau. But his sense of smell was still keen. After Jacob had brought him venison and wine, Isaac said, "Come near now, and kiss me, my son". Jacob did, causing his father to exclaim, "See, the smell of my son is as the smell of a field..." (Gen. 27:27). The smell rightly belonged to Esau, the cunning hunter, the man of the field. Jacob had no such smell for he was a tent dweller, a plain man (25:27).

Esau is described as a profane man (Heb. 12:16) as opposed to Jacob the plain man. The word for profane indicates that which is heathenish, wicked. In contrast the word plain connotes piety, undefiled, upright, clean, complete, gentle, quiet, harmless, perfect. It seems that Esau pursued a common, unholy life to the exclusion of anything spiritual. It could well be that he was wrapped up in hunting as sport, and pursued it to a state of personal exhaustion (Gen. 25:29). He might be respected by men for his knowledge and skill as a hunter, but he seemed to have no interest in, or reverence for, divine things; no regard for the promises and blessing of God in relation to himself or the family. Like the "pointer" dog, his nose was settled in the direction of the pursuits of the field, the world around him. The word profane is used in connection with his casual disposal of the valuable family birthright for a bowl of lentils and bread. What a grim example of his sense of values!

The smell of the field. The Lord taught us in the parable of the sower that the field is the world (Mat. 13:38). John tells us in his epistle that the world lieth in the evil one (1 John 5:19), and we are not to love it. In Revelation (12:9) he speaks of Satan as its deceiver. Peter speaks of its corruption (2 Peter 1:4); and to keep ourselves unspotted from it is the advice of James (1:27). It seems that the prodigal "followed his nose" when he left home for the distant fields which seemed to him greener. But where did the smell of the field, the world, lead him? Into sin, loss, disgrace, degradation. He returned repentant and was restored by a loving, forgiving father.

The smell as of Lebanon are God's words of promise to the restored nation of Israel (Hos. 14:6). The blending of their sin, waywardness, idolatry, transgression, treacherous dealings, stubbornness, deep corruption, empty words, divided heart, had created such a foul odour that God said, "I hated them" (9:15). He pleaded with them to return with words of repentance, asking for their iniquity to be removed, and to be received back on the basis of grace (14:2). He responded with the promise to heal their backslidings, to love them, and to turn His anger from them (14:4). He promised to be the dew that would cause the nation to blossom as the lily, with roots as the trees of Lebanon. Then followed the memorable words: "His branches shall spread, and his beauty shall be as the olive tree, and his smell as Lebanon" (14:6). What a contrast! No longer a foul odour emanating from an evil source, but a clean, fresh fragrance like the cedars and fruit of Lebanon.

The majestic, evergreen cedars of Lebanon, fed by the fresh waters from the snow-covered mountain peaks, are known for their aromatic qualities. When trees are cut down in Lebanon's forests the air is filled with a most pleasant cedar fragrance. This is supplemented by the odour of the grape vines and figs of the hillsides. What a contrast this is to the stench of death, violence, hatred, division, which Lebanon knows today! And what a contrast, too, to the smell of the field as representing the carnal life and worldly pursuits!

How do we translate the odour as of Lebanon into our Christian experience? Perhaps the poet provides one answer with these words:

Let the beauty of Jesus be seen in me,

All His wondrous compassion and purity,

0 Thou, Spirit divine, all my nature refine

Till the beauty of Jesus be seen in me.

Another is found in this true narrative. An aged couple spent a great part of their life helping others in their small Christian bookshop. They were kind, gentle, considerate, gracious, to all. When the husband, a loving, scholarly man, was called to heaven, his wife told me, "He was the most Christlike person I ever knew. We were married over 60 years, and he never once spoke an unkind word to me". Of that same man, an unbeliever said, "I would trust him with the keys of the bank".

"His smell as Lebanon". The tall, stately, majestic cedars, with their distinct fragrance, cannot help but speak of Christ our King, the One we look up to and adore. And the freshness and fruitfulness of Lebanon can also be a type of Him. As His virtues and characteristics are revealed in us, our "smell" can then be that of Lebanon! (S. of S. 4:11).

R. Darke, Victoria, B.C., Canada | Sept 1987
General