Just Add Salt

Lev 1:1-17, Lev 6:8–13, Num 28:1–8, Lev 17:8–9, Lev 2:1-16, Lev 6:14–23, Num 15:1–21
 
Leviticus 2:13 Season all your grain offerings with salt to remind you of God’s eternal covenant. Never forget to add salt to your grain offering.
 
AMONG the many instructions for various offerings, God says, “Never forget to add salt.” Here’s why.
   First, salt preserves. It was common among ancient nations to put salt on any written covenant. Salt symbolized the covenant would endure through time. The salt on the offering was called the salt of the covenant of God. As salt is incorruptible, so is God’s covenant to redeem he world. Each offering was a time to remember God would preserve his perfect covenant of redemption.
   Second, salt purifies. Salt symbolized the purity and perfection to be displayed during the worship service. Third, all bread bakers know salt is essential for good-tasting bread. Bread, of course, is a standard of life. God commanded Israel to salt the offerings to complete their goodness. Fourth, salt is needed for life. The body without salt will die.
   Do you know Jesus? Then rejoice in his pure covenant, preserved in grace to give you a good life.  
 
“Do You Want Some of Mine?”  
 
Leviticus 2:1-2 “When you present grain as an offering to the Lord, the offering must consist of choice flour. You are to pour olive oil on it, sprinkle it with frankincense. 2d It is a special gift, a pleasing aroma to the Lord.”  
 
HAVE you ever taken a meal with you as you traveled? When you stopped to eat, someone who was with you had no food. So you asked, “Do you want some of mine?” Very simply and lovingly, a meal you had prepared to sustain you also became a life gift to another. This is essentially what a grain offering was to God.
   In the Hebrew language, the word “grain” means “meal”. This offering was a food offering of vegetables and grains prepared as a meal with a portion given to God. The LORD required the meal to include fine flour and oil, so it would be among the best food you could give him. God does not accept leftover or marred offerings. He is holy.
   Frankincense is added because it is one of the most fragrant and precious spices. It is not needed for the food, but it is the aroma that will set this meal apart from ordinary food.
   Very simply, then, God commanded Israel to set apart a portion of the best meal one could make to give to the LORD. This is a faithful act of worship. You acknowledge life comes from God and commit the best to God. That’s a good way to offer your life each day.