SALT in Bible,..The Metaphor! - 1

SALT, the only chemical often mentioned in Bible in many occasions at different conditions to remind, to restore, to reemphasize the faith and HIS grace.

SALT even today holds inevitable importance in our day to day life. And as I pondered SALT has the below purposes.

* Seasoning - Widely used in Food. Supposed to enhance the sweetness of the Sugar/Honey added when used in dessert.

* Preservative – Pickling of the vegetables and meat involve Salt in a greater extent.

* Disinfectant – Strong disinfectant. The drainage cleaning workers in India rub salt all over the body to keep them the germs off of the body. In Bible Ezekiel 16:4 mentions the new born rubbed with salt.

Marriage  ceremony – It is a tradition, for the bride and groom to bring salt from their side and combine in a vial by shaking to symbolize their loyalty to each other and it can be broken only if they can identify and extract the grain of salt from the vial.

—Much Prized possession– SALT was considered was priceless that it was once given as an allowance/reward for the work done. SAL DARE (in latin means to give SALT) is the root word of Salary.

—Superstitious belief – You will find that there is a superstitious belief of Spilling Salt is considered bad luck. It ties back to the first point. SALT was considered priceless that spilling it means losing a fortune. Just like many superstitious belief it is an exaggeration of what had happened. J

 Phrases – Some SALT related Tamizh phrases

—  Uppitta varai ullalavum Ninai  - Always remember and be faithful to those who hosted you at their your home with food and bed.

— Upilla pandam kupaiyiley  - The dish that lacks salt goes to trash.

— Unda veetukku rendagam ninaikaathey  - It’s a sin to think any bad for the home you dined.

Source of SALT – Sea/Rock

—Until this day, the source of the SALT is the Ocean sea and sometimes SALT Rocks.

**It is interesting to find that when our heart breaks or our soul kindles or we are overjoyed we shed tears which tastes SALTy. Why even the hardwork that gives out sweat is supposed to taste SALTy.

With that thought, let us see how SALT is called out in the Bible. Some meanings and metaphors are below

 Be a Seasoning – A taste giving, flavorful life

—Wasted land of Salt – Land rich in salt that can’t grow produce or support any life

—  Salt with no taste – Losing the essence

—  Salt of the earth – A good salt that enhance the flavor in water bodies & food OR be a fertilizer that nurture growth of vegetation.

However, as we take a deeper dive into the metaphors. You can see a parable said in that one word SALT is unfolding into way big concept.

Salt as a Holy Covenant

Do you not know that the Lord God of Israel gave the rule over Israel forever to David and his sons by a covenant of Salt? - 2 Chronicles 13:5

What is a Covenant of Salt?
 

 It is a covenant or an agreement or an oath to keep the trust until death or at the cost of each other’s death. Penalty of breaking the covenant resulted in death.

For instance it is because of the Covenant of Marriage is tarnished that in Old Testament period the Punishment of Adultery was death.

Indirect mention of that Covenant by Jesus Christ –
 

During last supper, Jesus Christ quotes this about Judas “It would have been better if he would have never been born. “ Judas has shared meals with Jesus and has been trust worthy treasurer of Jesus's inner circle of disciple group. He handled the money. And he broke the trust.

New Covenant –

Remember Jehovah’s Old Testament with Israel was broken by ungodly, unfaithful, selfish & wicked people. And Jesus has to pay the Penalty, a horrible death on cross. So we all sinners can have a new testament, a new refreshed covenant with the El Shaddai and we may not perish in eternal flames but have Eternal Life!

Some more mention of the Covenant with the LORD reminded in many chapters of the Bible.

“All the offerings of the holy gifts, which the sons of Israel offer to the Lord, I have given to you and your sons and your daughters with you, as a perpetual allotment. It is an everlasting covenant of salt before the Lord to you and your descendants with you.” - Numbers 18:19

Thank GOD Al mighty we have Jesus Christ that with him, our Covenant is replenished with new hope.

To me the below verse in Old Testament has the one more metaphor for  SALT

Every grain offering of yours, moreover, you shall season with salt, so that the salt of the covenant of your God shall not be lacking from your grain offering; with all your offerings you shall offer salt  - Leviticus 2:13

It mentions clearly in this verse that Covenant with GOD is lacking if your offering is not seasoned with SALT.

What is the best offering the LORD desires from you?

Samuel said, "Has the LORD as much delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices As in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to heed than the fat of rams.

Okay, of Obedience is the Sacrifice. What needs to be in it for the seasoning?

Let us study more on that in the next post….SALT To be continued.