The prophet's dictionary guide to the supernatural

1274. Salt—A) A symbol of the enduring, the pure, and covenant. B) Salt was used for purification and protection in old times, which is why it serves well as hospitality, friendship, and incorruptible figures. C) Salt’s preservative character makes it a particularly relevant token of quality relationships. In the Bible Jesus called Christians the salt of the earth. He warned His church to remain salty so as to continue preserving the earth. Salt that has lost its flavor, the Savior explained, was useless and only to be thrown out. Salt is on the planet for medicinal, culinary, preservative, covenantal, and symbolic reasons. The first four of the five reasons are self-explanatory. Medicinal uses for salt include using it as in healing, and for its purgative property. Its culinary value is as a seasoning in recipes and a preservative to prevent spoilage. Salt’s covenantal use relates its use to the ceremonies and ritual observances involving a religion. All sacrificial food items were to be rubbed with salt for flavor and preservation. Symbolically, since salt in early times in Bible regions was rare, it became a priceless commodity. Thus any time critical alliances or agreements were forged, salt became the symbol of their durability and perpetuity. Hence, the Lord’s use of salt to parallel His covenant with the New Creation church becomes evident. He wanted to convey the church’s role as a diverse seasoning in the world that typified His lasting covenant with it as long as it did so. Isaiah 49:6 foresees this as the role of the church in the world after the Messiah has completed His mission. Isaiah 49:6: “Indeed He says, ‘It is too small a thing that You should be My Servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved ones of Israel; I will also give You as a light to the Gentiles, that You should be My salvation to the ends of the earth’” (nkjv). That completion is presented in the New Testament church by Jesus before His crucifixion. In Matthew 5:13 it reads, “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men” (niv), and Luke 14:34 adds, “Therefore, salt is good; but if even salt has become tasteless, with what will it be seasoned?” (nas). These passages stress the value of the church to the world when it remains salty enough for the world to benefit from it. Sometimes one has to consider all salt’s effects to appreciate the scope of the church’s work as its metaphor. Salt is flavorful, but sometimes it burns. Salt is helpful but in sensitive situations it hurts. Salt cleans but it is also abrasive. Salt in proper proportions is advantageous while too much salt is unpleasant. Salt rightly applied is useful, but salt in the eyes is harmful. Finally, food without salt is bland and tasteless, uninspiring and distasteful. 1275. Salt Water—A) Symbolizes tears of grief. B) Such tears were a sign of