Salt

Elisha the prophet was called to help make stinky poisonous water into good drinking water. He called for some salt. As he poured in the salt right where it bubbled out of the ground, the water became pure and good to drink and has always been good since that time.

This water had been cursed as Jericho fell. It was ordered by God that no one rebuild this old city because it had terrible sinful practices there. If anyone tried to do it, their first born son and another son, the youngest would die. At the time of Jezebel, wickedness filled the land of Canaan. She paid for the rebuilding of the wicked city of Jericho.

This parable and miracle is full of symbols. The earthen vessel which held the salt is like us. 2 Cor. 4:7 says we are earthen vessels that hold the treasure of God's word.

In Mathew 5:13, Jesus said we are salt. As we mingle, our influence can be a power in helping strengthen the faith of others. We are to reprove wrong and refresh the weary and heavy laden.

God is eager to heal polluted waters no matter what the cause. You being salty, can sweeten bitter water wherever you go.

The poison of sin is at work at the heart of society. The world is full of sickness, suffering and iniquity. Their souls drink in bitterness because the springs are poisoned. When they should be like a well of water springing up into everlasting life. PK 233-234

Magnified salt crystals show their cubical nature. These sodium Chloride (NaCl) molecules make food taste so much better. Bread tastes better when there is salt present. There is even salt in your blood.

Abraham's nephew Lot lived in a very wicked city. His whole family was influenced by the ugly sins there. God said it was such horrible sin in that place that He would destroy it by fire and brimstone. Angels took Lot, his wife and two daughters by the hand and hurried them away from the doomed city. Lot's wife disobeyed the angels direct command not to look back at the destruction of wicked Sodom. Her heart was back in that city. She was thinking about her home and children left behind. Really she did not want to leave. She was turned into a pillar of salt. This strange punishment frightened Lot and his daughters as they hurried on as the angel commanded. If Lot had not hesitated, his wife would have been encouraged to obey too. His hesitation caused her life.

Salting the pavement helps keep people from slipping. Salt is useful for melting ice. Jesus says His people are salty. They can help melt the cold hard feelings by their warm sunny ways. Their earnest example united with faith helps others have courage.

"Ye are the salt of the earth," Jesus said. Do not withdraw yourselves from the world in order to escape persecution. You are to abide among men, that the savor of the divine love may be as salt to preserve the world from corruption. {DA 306.3}

In the sanctuary services, every sacrifice had to be salted. In the ritual service, salt was added to every sacrifice. This, like the offering of incense, signified that only the righteousness of Christ could make the service acceptable to God. Referring to this practice, Jesus said, "Every sacrifice shall be salted with salt." "Have salt in yourselves, and have peace one with another." All who would present themselves "a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God" (Rom. 12:1), must receive the saving salt, the righteousness of our Savior. Then they become "the salt of the earth," restraining evil among men, as salt preserves from corruption. Matt. 5:13. But if the salt has lost its savor; if there is only a profession of godliness, without the love of Christ, there is no power for good. The life can exert no saving influence upon the world. Your energy and efficiency in the upbuilding of My kingdom, Jesus says, depend upon your receiving of My Spirit. Then there will be no rivalry, no self-seeking, no desire for the highest place. You will have that love which seeks not her own, but another's wealth. {DA 439.2}
Let the repenting sinner fix his eyes upon "the Lamb of God, which takes away the sin of the world" (John 1:29); and by beholding, he becomes changed. His fear is turned to joy, his doubts to hope. Gratitude springs up. The stony heart is broken.

Story and illustrations by Dr. Rose

2001