Salt...
Matthew 5:13-16
13 “You are salt for the Land. But if salt becomes tasteless, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything except being thrown out for people to trample on.
14 “You are light for the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Likewise, when people light a lamp, they don’t cover it with a bowl but put it on a lampstand, so that it shines for everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before people, so that they may see the good things you do and praise your Father in heaven.
As I began to study Hebrew culture and the sacrifices that were made to Adonai, the understanding of salt became more significant. They salted the sacrifice and that is what ratified the covenant. Salt was quite common in their daily life.
Leviticus 2:13
13 You are to season every grain offering of yours with salt — do not omit from your grain offering the salt of the covenant with your God, but offer salt with all your offerings.
Numbers 18:19
19 All the contributions of holy things which the people of Isra’el offer to Adonai I have given to you, your sons and your daughters with you; this is a perpetual law, an eternal covenant of salt beforeAdonaifor you and your descendants with you.”
Salt was important. Not only was it used for sacrifices, it was also used to dry and cure fish and meat so it would stay preserved longer. Magdala was known for its dried fish.
We need to understand the customs of their day and time in order to truly understand the Word of God. The Word of God has been given to us to share with us the intent God has for His people. Because we believe in these Words, we need to grasp the intent and meaning from a Hebraic understanding.
In this situation, Jesus was trying to help the people understand that if the covenants God made with His people lost their importance, they became "tasteless" and useless to the people. If the people did not continue to teach and follow the covenants God established with Moses and the Children of Israel in the wilderness, the people would perish.
In this teaching, Jesus was showing the people that they were the salt. They, by living the commandments that were given to them, were the flavor and covenant. This is how Jesus brought the Words of the Torah to LIFE for the people.
It is the same for the teaching of light. When you travel around Israel at night, the lights can be seen for far distances. Around the Sea of Galilee one can look to the hills on the other side and watch the lights flicker. Jesus used these examples because they were right there in front of Him. They were illustrations the people would understand.
Stop today and reflect on traditions you may have. This week as you salt your food, or turn on a light, remember that YOU are the flavor to those around you. Remember that YOU are the LIGHT to those you meet. What flavor are you giving them? What light are you shining for them? Is it really what God intended it to be?
Love and blessings,
Rose
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