Salt has been used throughout the Bible in several areas in both the Old and New Testament. Salt can be seen in reference to very positive properties such as in seasoning, and to purify and preserve. Salt has also been used in alluding to new beginnings (Ezekiel 16:4). Salt can also be seen as representing a curse (Judges 9:45). Salt also has been used to contrast both positive and negative. Deuteronomy 29:23 paints a picture of death and burning waste, with no growth possible due to “salt and brimstone.”
Our purpose here is to look at salt in relation to the “covenant of salt.” Three key verses point us to an understanding of perseverance. These verses are 2 Chronicles 13:5, Leviticus 2:13, and Numbers 18:19. As well, in this discussion Matthew 5:13 points to the preserving influence of salt in the world, and in relation to mankind’s activities in the service of Christ. In the discussion of salt within the “covenant of salt,” it will be seen to raise the knowledge that God maintains permanent kingship over all things, and that the relationship with His people is of a permanent nature.
2 Chronicles 13:5 brings the “covenant of salt” to bear as a permanent provision of God’s kingship over Israel through David and his sons. Jeroboam is condemned by Abijah for opposing God’s grant of perpetual kingship over Israel. An attachment to the promise made in this verse can also be seen when the Queen of Sheba in 2 Chronicles 9:8, points to Solomon’s kingship. God’s kingship through the family of David, which in 2 Chronicles 9:8 is now in the hands of Solomon, has been “established forever.” These verses begin to allow the knowledge to be developed of the “covenant of salt,’ as being permanent.
A second key verse in the study of the “covenant of salt” is Leviticus 2:13. The best way to see this scripture is to see that offerings given to God should reflect His permanent kingship over all things. This pointed Israel to see their permanent relationship with God despite their wanderings. This is applicable to the church today when we bring the verse from Leviticus into play when reading 2 Corinthians 9:7. Do His people give out of obligation, or because God has established a permanent relationship with His people no matter how many times they may turn away? Is the love of God’s people reflective, and based on God’s actions toward us? Do we realize that He first loved us?
A third key verse to look at regarding the “covenant of salt” is Numbers 18:19. Salt, as is the covenant, is permanent. The “covenant of salt” is a permanent principle. The unchangeable nature of God is on display in the “covenant of salt.” Numbers 18:19 uses the word, “everlasting” in reference to the covenant.
A final point to address as to salt, and the “covenant of salt,” focuses in on the preserving qualities of salt. Ezra 6:9 has salt listed as a required addition to all burnt offerings because of it’s preserving qualities. The very same preserving can be applied to the life of the Christian as a preserving influence in the world. Matthew 5:13 has as it’s main point that the value of the Christian in this world should be their preserving influence as the love of Christ is shared.
The “covenant of salt” provides followers of Christ with the knowledge that God’s relationship with us is permanent. Permanent no matter what we do? Yes. But, in that permanence what is our relationship to God? Do we love Him, are we obedient to Him, or maybe the question is: Do you know Jesus Christ? God’s love is never changing, but it is never to late for us to turn to Him.