The IMPORTANCE of ‘SALT’ in our OFFERINGS to GOD!
January
31 Bible Reading: Leviticus Chapters 1-3
The IMPORTANCE of ‘SALT’ in our OFFERINGS to GOD!
"And every
offering of your grain offering you shall season with salt; you shall not allow the salt of the covenant of your God to be lacking from your grain
offering. With all your offerings you
shall offer salt." (Lev 2:13)
When God
made the stipulations regarding the grain offering, He made it clear that every
grain offering had to be seasoned with salt, which was a sign of the covenant
between God and Israel. This became known later as “the salt of the covenant” (Numbers 18:19; 2 Chronicles 13:5;
Ezekiel 43:24). Since salt is associated with permanence, it signified that God’s covenant with Israel was unbreakable and binding upon both
parties to fulfill it. Just like salt preserved
perishable goods, the covenant that God had established with Israel would be preserved
forever. Also, just like salt is indestructible
by fire, it symbolizes the enduring
covenant between God and Israel.
The altar
was the table of God; so just like salt was always set on our tables to add
flavor to food, God would accept the offering as a “sweet aroma” (Lev 2:9b) from His children. In ancient times, salt
was a symbol of friendship between two people, and may have been a factor for
why God insisted that salt should be a part of every grain offering.
Let us
understand that God wants salt through
our words, as it speaks of purity
as our speech must be always with grace (Col.
4:6), so must all our religious performances be seasoned with that salt. Our
Lord Jesus Christ may have had covenant faithfulness in mind when He told His
followers, “You are the salt of the
earth” (Mark 9:49-50; Luke 14:34-35). We are the key ingredient in this world
just like salt is in everyday life as it seasons and brings out the flavor of food,
hinders the spread of corruption and creates thirst.
Let us exhibit
this spiritual reality and our usefulness in this world every day of our lives!
"You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men." (Matt 5:13)
