A Life in Exile

Salt is a hot topic in conversations surrounding food, high blood pressure, and personal preferences in seasoning. I remember how hard it was for both my father and late husband to move toward a low-salt diet. No other seasoning really compares, as it draws out other flavors and enhances the taste.

Because it is well-known to mankind, God uses this common-place ingredient to press into his people on topics of endurance, preservation, purity, and cost.

Covenant of salt.

As God establishes his covenant with his chosen people, he uses the word salt to symbolize the enduring nature of the agreement. It is perpetual and cannot be corrupted or dissolved. In speaking to the priests and Levites, the Lord speaks of how contributions became their permanent portions.

“I give to you and to your sons and daughters all the holy contributions that the Israelites present to the Lord as a permanent statute. It is a permanent covenant of salt before the Lord for you as well as your offspring.” (Numbers 18:19 CSB, emphasis added)

As he faced Jeroboam in battle, King Abijah of Judah spoke of how Jeroboam had turned against the Lord God of Israel and his covenant with the line of David.

Don’t you know that the Lord God of Israel gave the kingship over Israel to David and his descendants forever by a covenant of salt? (2 Chronicles 13:5, emphasis added)

Through Christ, we know David’s enduring line continues for eternity. The covenant with David, symbolized by salt, endures forever.

Our offerings are seasoned with salt.

You are to season each of your grain offerings with salt; you must not omit from your grain offering the salt of the covenant with your God. You are to present salt with each of your offerings. (Leviticus 2:13, emphasis added)

When the Israelites were presenting sacrifices to the Lord, salt was a critical component in the grain offerings. Each time they sprinkled salt in their offerings, they would remember that God keeps his covenant, and they were to keep it as well.

What reminders help you to preserve your relationship with the Lord? To keep your faith strong? To obey his Word and walk in the light of Christ? Do you wear a bracelet or a cross pendant? Do you put Scripture above your door or in the car you drive?

Maybe it would be helpful to have a special salt shaker near to remind you of God’s lasting love for you and his desire for you to walk in faithfulness to him and his Word.

Words seasoned with salt.

If we are living in light of the covenant of salt and God’s enduring faithfulness, our words and actions should reflect that reality. The Apostle Paul’s letter to the believers in Colosse is full of practical guidance on how to live for Christ, and he too, uses salt as a key ingredient to Christ-filled living.

Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you should answer each person. (Colossians 4:6, emphasis added)

What words are saltier than those given to us by Christ himself or found in his Word? As we model Christ, seasoning our conversations with truths from the Bible, we add the rich flavors that draw people toward him. The words of this world fall flat, are covered in deceit and lies, leaving people unsatisfied and disappointed. Only the salty words of Scripture can draw them to thirst for more.

Stay salty.

Jesus spoke of the value of salt and its importance in the lives of those who follow him.

Salt is good, but if the salt should lose its flavor, how can you season it? Have salt among yourselves, and be at peace with one another.” (Mark 9:50)

How do we maintain salt-seasoned lives and words? By practicing using it with our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. The Church is our safe-place to speak truth, share the Word, and live boldly for the Lord. As we sprinkle the salt of God’s Word and enduring covenant with our fellow believers, we are better prepared and encouraged to do the same to those outside the family of faith.

I know, many times, I’ve been in conversations with other believers about the best way to share with a non-believing friend or family member, and I’m encouraged by their example and testimonies. Jesus didn’t send out the disciples two-by-two for nothing. They needed the support and encouragement from each other to reach those who had never heard the good news of Jesus Christ. We do as well.

If you’re struggling to keep your language seasoned outside the church, ask a fellow believer to pray for you, give you advice, or even go with you to help you in outreach to others. As iron sharpens iron, so does salt add flavor to one who is feeling a bit bland in the world.

Are you encouraged by the reminder of God’s enduring covenant of salt? Is the living sacrifice of your life seasoned with the salt of his salvation? Are your words seasoned with the salt of his Word? Are you practicing the salt-life among believers to grow stronger when you’re relating to outsiders?

Lord, keep us salty—pure and true, enduring in faith, as we encourage others to see the value of relationship with you.

Grace and Peace

If you missed the last Wednesday Wisdom, click HERE, or check out these other posts on the salt-life: The Salt Life, We’re Fighting a Battle, The Power of a Thankful Heart, and Lessons from the Mountainside: 9.