Salt is necessary to life, both for man and beast, and it is a means of cleansing the body. A large percent of the blood which flows in our veins is salt.
Salt cannot salt itself. Inasmuch as it does not benefit itself, it is intended to be used for others. Salt is a picture of the power of holy grace in man. A true believer is likened to salt which savors, or seasons, and preserves. He acts as a moral savor, and as long as the believer is in this world he is a preserver.
Salt is not compounded but is found in its natural state.
"And that which they have need of both young bullocks, and rams, and lambs, for the burnt offerings of the God of heaven, wheat, salt, wine, and oil, according to the appointment of the priests which are at Jerusalem, let it be given them day by day without fair (Ezra 6:99And that which they have need of, both young bullocks, and rams, and lambs, for the burnt offerings of the God of heaven, wheat, salt, wine, and oil, according to the appointment of the priests which are at Jerusalem, let it be given them day by day without fail: (Ezra 6:9)).
What a lesson here, "day by day!"
Wheat is Christ for our food as we read and pray and are built up in our most holy faith. Salt is the separating power of holiness, keeping us from the world and evil, within and without. Wine speaks of the constant joy of feeding on Christ, the result of the Holy Spirit within. Oil, a type of the Holy Spirit, reminds us of our being sealed until the day of redemption, the earnest assuring us of the time when we will have bodies of glory as well as giving us present happiness. The anointing is the presence and energy of the Spirit of God in intelligence and power.
The Holy Spirit within gives spiritual discernment as to grace and devotion.
The Lord Jesus could say,
"I am altogether that which I also say to you"
Separation here is concerning what we say which should be with grace for edification for others. This is a purpose of salt. Salt is the inner power of energy and holiness in grace, devotedness to God, and separation from evil. There is no life without salt and no life in salt. Even food is unsavory without it.
How vivid a picture before us as we view the properties of salt in a moral or spiritual way! Salt cleanses by rejecting all within that is contrary to God. As salt seasons and flavors, so does the believer in a moral way. For one whose life is a sacrifice, salt is a preservative. It binds the soul to God and inwardly preserves from evil because of the power of holy grace and devotion.
The believer is likened to salt.
"Ye are the salt of the earth; but if the salt have lost his savor, wherewith shall it be salted?"
If he loses his savor or his purpose here, he is good for nothing. Those who offered themselves to God, who were set apart for Him, were the salt of the earth.
Salt for discipleship is the energy within that binds and dedicates the heart to God in a service of obligation and desire. Thus salt is the separating power of holiness. The good should be seasoned with salt.
"And he said, Bring me a new cruse, and put salt therein. And they brought it to him. And he went forth unto the spring of the waters, and cast the salt in there, and said, Thus saith the LORD, I have healed these waters; there shall not be from thence any more death or barren land"
(2 Kings 2:2020And he said, Bring me a new cruse, and put salt therein. And they brought it to him. (2 Kings 2:20)).
Here we find Jericho under the curse, just as the world through which we pass. Everything of refreshment, "water," is spoiled. There must be a new cruse, a new nature, then there must be salt in that new cruse. Unless there is personal devotedness to Christ, and unless the spring of the waters, complete dependence upon God, is reached, where holy grace is exercised, there never can be blessing or refreshment. Salt must be cast into the spring of the waters. Only God can heal the waters in the city of the curse, but it is by my casting salt into the spring of waters. It is the personal energy of faith which depends entirely upon God.
Both in worship and in a consecrated offering in service there should not lack the salt of holy grace and devotion. The Old Testament speaks of offerings and sacrifices. They do not all apply to atonement. Many of them typify the believer in his normal role, "Ye are the salt of the earth" (Matt. 5:1313Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savor, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. (Matthew 5:13)), also as to how he is to offer his life and service to God down here. All of this was written for our learning. This is not to say that man can provide anything for God in or from himself, but there can be devotedness, a response from the heart, noticed by God and often a testimony on earth to His glory.
"When thou hast made an end of cleansing it, thou shalt offer a young bullock without blemish, and a ram out of the flock without blemish. And thou shalt offer them before the LORD, and the priests shall cast salt upon them, and they shall offer them up for a burnt offering unto the LORD"
The bullock speaks of the largeness of appreciation of what Christ, in His offering, is to God. The discernment of this is through salt, the inner intelligence as well as holy grace and devotion. How often we need to judge ourselves as to this. It is only right that God shall have the utmost in devotion whether in worship or sacrifice, and salt should always accompany these.
David's kingdom was founded on a covenant of salt, perpetual devotedness of responsibility. Only Christ can fill this place of eternal devotion and grace as to the kingdom.
Fire represents God's own character and is the standard that tests persons as to reality. If failure, it corrects; if unreality, it judges.
Everything done for Christ is tested to see if it be done in devotion and by grace. Efforts of the flesh have no place in any sacrifices, either for worship or service.
May these meditations refresh our spirits to true devotedness and holy grace.