I was reading in my devotions a passage in Leviticus and wondered the reasons for no leaven and no honey in the grain burnt offering, but there was to be a salted" (see Lev 2:11-13]
I knew the symbolism of leaven and salt in the New Testament---and the NT gets much of its symbolism from the Old. So I checked one source and found it interesting:
"11. ye shall burn no leaven, nor any honey, in any offering of the Lord - Nothing sweet or sour was to be offered. In the warm climates of the East leavened bread soon spoils, and hence it was regarded as the emblem of hypocrisy or corruption. Some, however, think that the prohibition was that leaven and honey were used in the idolatrous rites of the heathen.
12. the oblation of the first-fruits - voluntary offerings made by individuals out of their increase, and leaven and honey might be used with these (Leviticus 23:17; Numbers 15:20). Though presented at the altar, they were not consumed, but assigned by God for the use of the priests.
13. every . . . meat offering shalt thou season with salt - The same reasons which led to the prohibition of leaven, recommended the use of salt - if the one soon putrefies, the other possesses a strongly preservative property, and hence it became an emblem of incorruption and purity, as well as of a perpetual covenant - a perfect reconciliation and lasting friendship. No injunction in the whole law was more sacredly observed than this application of salt; for besides other uses of it that will be noticed elsewhere, it had a typical meaning referred to by our Lord concerning the effect of the Gospel on those who embrace it (Mark 9:49, 50); as when plentifully applied it preserves meat from spoiling, so will the Gospel keep men from being corrupted by sin. And as salt was indispensable to render sacrifices acceptable to God, so the Gospel, brought home to the hearts of men by the Holy Ghost, is indispensably requisite to their offering up of themselves as living sacrifices [BROWN].""
I love the picture it gives of needing incorruption, no hypocriasy, and the fact that the Gospel acts as a preservative to maintain or keep us from the incorruption of sin. Numbers 18:19 refers to a covenant of salt--symbolizing the covenant between God and Israel---probably because salt signifies perpetual or eternal since it is indestructible by fire and a preserving agent. COOOOL
Wow, that is very interesting. I know we are to be the salt of the earth too. I wonder why too my salt in our diets is bad for our health, kind of interesting food for thought.
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful day! Sharon
nannykim,
ReplyDeleteWhat deep, insightful thoughts on a somewhat perplexing Scripture passage. Yes, there had to good reasons for God giving commands about the food ingredients. How often do we really ponder that, though. You certainly did!
Great thoughts and thanks for sharing what you learned. It's amazing what we learn from the Bible and how much we still have to learn...what a wonderful God.
ReplyDeleteHugs.
Sarah x
Interesting devotion.
ReplyDeletecovenant of salt--symbolizing the covenant between God and Israel-
Likewise, God is keeping a remnant of Israel to this day.
Romans 11:25-32 (Amplified Bible)
25 Lest you be self-opinionated (wise in your own conceits), I do not want you to miss this hidden truth and mystery, brethren: a hardening (insensibility) has [temporarily] befallen a part of Israel [to last] until the [a]full number of the ingathering of the Gentiles has come in,
26 And so all Israel will be saved. As it is written, The Deliverer will come from Zion, He will banish ungodliness from Jacob.(A)
27 And this will be My covenant (My agreement) with them when I shall take away their sins.(B)
28 From the point of view of the Gospel (good news), they [the Jews, at present] are enemies [of God], which is for your advantage and benefit. But from the point of view of God's choice (of election, of divine selection), they are still the beloved (dear to Him) for the sake of their forefathers.
29 For God's gifts and His call are irrevocable. [He never withdraws them when once they are given, and He does not change His mind about those to whom He gives His grace or to whom He sends His call.]
30 Just as you were once disobedient and rebellious toward God but now have obtained [His] mercy, through their disobedience,
31 So they also now are being disobedient [when you are receiving mercy], that they in turn may one day, through the mercy you are enjoying, also receive mercy [that they may share the mercy which has been shown to you--through you as messengers of the Gospel to them].
32 For God has consigned (penned up) all men to disobedience, only that He may have mercy on them all [alike].