“IT IS A COVENANT OF SALT.”
By A. S. Hutchins
This expression in the word of God implies a covenant of incorruptibility and permanency, an everlasting covenant. In all the meat-offerings made unto the Lord, he required the use of salt, but strictly forbade the use of leaven in these offerings. The nature and use of salt are directly opposite to the properties of leaven. Salt is applied to different kinds of viands to give them relish, and to preserve them from putrefaction and decay; while the pervading and transforming effect of leaven hastens these operations. Hence these substances are emblematic of opposite minds and characters in the Scriptures. Said Christ to his disciples, “Ye are the salt of the earth.” On one occasion he warned his followers to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees. This admonition they were slow to comprehend. They reasoned among themselves, saying, “It is because we have taken no bread.” But this was not the trouble; it was not a neglect to provide for temporal wants. The false doctrine of these religious bodies was more to be dreaded than the pinchings of hunger. It is infinitely more important to know and to do the will of God than to provide for present necessities. It has been well remarked, “Bad doctrines act in the soul as leaven does in meal; they assimilate the whole spirit to their own nature. A man's particular creed has a greater influence on his temper and conduct than most are aware of. Pride, hypocrisy, and worldly-mindedness, which constituted the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees, ruin the major part of the world.” The leaven of “malice and wickedness,” which lurk in the natural heart, the carnal mind, must be purged out and give place to the “unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.” It is dangerous to cherish in our hearts any spirit or feeling contrary to the Spirit of God. “Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?” “Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt.” Col 4: 6. “Have salt in yourselves, and have peace one with another.” Mark 9 : 50. It is salt, the grace of God in the heart, which promotes and strengthens the bond of union, and secures peace one with another. When, for any cause, Satan may have alienated and separated hearts for a season, how sweet the union which may again be formed and enjoyed, by the influence and help of the Holy Spirit. Matters of difference may be kindly talked over, confession made, and each party mutually forgive the other. “Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any; even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.” In the settlement of church trials it may sometimes be necessary to make a greater sacrifice of feelings or means than we had believed could be demanded. This may arise, 1. From an imperfect recollection of the matters of difference; or, 2. From the tendency of the human mind to construe words and actions more favorably for self than for others. Hence the injunction of the Saviour, “First cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.” Or 3. The breach may have been widened by “busy bodies.” This class of persons were alive in the days of Paul. He had learned their business, and tells us what it was,—“wandering about from house to house,” “tattlers,” “speaking things which they ought not.” He kindly warns and exhorts them “to be quiet,” and to do their own business, working with their hands. Peter also gives very wholesome instruction to such: “But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busy body in other men's matters.” 1 Pet. 4:15. Such persons seem to overlook the declaration of the Saviour, “Blessed are the peacemakers.” They use largely of leaven, but sparingly of salt. But when the Holy Spirit of God is sent down to lead men to sacrifice for his cause, for the present and future good of their own souls, and for the salvation of others, and when, under its melting and cementing power, hearts are brought into union, it is dangerous for men to lay their hands upon this work, to undo it. Let the parties who have entered into solemn covenant, under the guidance and help of the Spirit of God, henceforth regard this as a covenant of salt. Christ regards it a sin of fearful magnitude to cause even a child to offend, i. e., to stumble. Respecting this, says the pious Adam Clarke, “Let those who act the part of the devil, in tempting others to sin, hear this declaration of our Lord, and tremble:” “It were better that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.” “And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.” A mighty struggle lies before the remnant church. Oh! that we might not lose time or strength while we wait its arrival, and are seeking to do God's will. “Thou awful Judge of quick and dead,
The watchful power bestow;
So shall I to my ways take heed,
To all I speak or do.”