Leviticus 1-4

January 31

Leviticus 1-4

 

God gives the Israelites specific instructions for worship. He tells them what to offer, when to offer, and how to make the offering. There are burnt offerings, sin offerings, offerings of meat and offerings of grain. We are told that the offerings placed on the fire on the altar created an aroma that was pleasing to the Lord.

 

A phrase that seems to stick out in these chapters is; "Season all your grain offerings with salt. Do not leave the salt of the covenant of your God out of your grain offerings; add salt to all your offerings." (Leviticus 2:13, NIV) Why does God instruct the Israelites to include salt with their offerings?

 

Salt is essential to life, it heals, preserves, and adds flavor to food. Salt was a valuable commodity. Romans soldiers used to be paid in part with a salt ration. Which is where we get our phrase that someone is not worth their salt. But why does God want his offerings to have salt in them?

 

Salt was used and is still used to seal a promise in the Middle East. Salt was used to seal a truce between enemies or a symbol of alliance between friends. Treaties were sealed by sharing salt. A salt covenant bound the participants to one another, not only for their lifetime, but for generations to come. The Arabic word for “salt” and “treaty” are the same word. Eating together, sharing salt together, bound two people to be loyal to and to protect one another.

 

As the Israelites brought their sacrifices before God, they included salt. The salt bound them to God and reminded them that God was bound to them. God is faithful and will protect them whatever they may face. When they sinned against God, they brought an offering with salt to heal the relationship.

 

The custom of sharing salt is not a part of our culture, but we still have a covenant with God. Jesus told us "And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”" (Matthew 28:20, NIV) Jesus was the ultimate sacrifice. He was the final sacrifice. What the blood of bulls and goats could not do, the sacrificial death of Jesus accomplished for all time. Through His life, death, and resurrection, we have a new covenant with God. Jesus said; "This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins." (Matthew 26:28, NIV)

God sealed His promise with the blood of Jesus. He invites us to sign our portion by giving ourselves to Him as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to him. (Romans 12:1). Salt symbolized the sealing of a covenant and the healing of relationships. God invites us to enter into a covenant with Him and He forgives and heals our relationship with Him. This is the ultimate win/win situation.