Just A Little Salt
II Kings 2:19-22; 4 Kingdoms 2:19-22
Following the dramatic events at the Jordan River, Elisha apparently returned to Jericho with the sons of the prophets and remained with them for a while.
Jericho was located about 6 miles west of the Jordan River and about 8 miles north of the Dead Sea. From ancient times it had been known for its favorable climate and desirable environment – being called “the city of palms” (Deuteronomy 34:3). The Jewish historian, Josephus, wrote, “It will not be easy to light on any climate on the habitable earth that can well be compared to it”. It was luxurious with its trees, flowers and fruit. Even in the time of Christ, it was a suburb of Jerusalem preferred by priests and others for its enjoyable living.
After the conquest and destruction of Jericho (1400 BC), Joshua proclaimed a curse on the city and the man who would rebuild it (Joshua 6:26), warning of the penalty thereof. About 550 years later, the city was rebuilt by Hiel of Bethel with the loss of the life of his oldest and youngest sons (I Kings 16:34).
So when Elisha came, Jericho was relatively new and quite impressive to the eye. The city leaders approached Elisha saying, “Behold, the situation of this city is pleasant, as my Lord sees” (vs.19). However, something was dreadfully wrong (not just poor taste) and they were unable to make it right. Despite all the amenities and advantages of their city, there lurked a hidden contaminate that threatened to drive them away. “The water is bad (Heb.- ra, evil) and the ground barren” (vs.19).
The city planners and builders had surely constructed a water system that would serve and satisfy the citizens of Jericho. One would assume that they had attempted various remedies to rid the waters of the contamination therein. Obviously, nothing had worked. So now they turned to the prophet of God. They sensed that there was something deeper – something beyond the scope of human power or intelligence.
We can only guess what they expected from Elisha. Perhaps fire from heaven as at Mt. Carmel, another extended period of punitive drought (as in the days of Elijah)? Some may have recalled the story of Moses casting a tree into the bitter waters of Marah and making them sweet (Exodus 15:25).
Regardless, everyone was likely stunned when Elisha asked for a new jar (the Hebrew word means a small cruse) with some salt in it (vs.20)! Surely, they thought, this problem was too great – too sinister, too complex – for such a simple treatment.
Elisha, in his years with Elijah, had learned what the disciples of Jesus would learn many years later, “…. with God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26). Here, there was no need for the consuming fire; no need for a devastating drought; no need even for a tree. No, just a salt shaker in the hand of God’s servant.
He led them to the spring that fed the city, cast the salt into it and said, “Thus says the Lord, “I have healed these waters, from them there shall be no more death or barrenness.”” (vs.21). And so it was.
Perhaps some of us may, at times, feel like Jericho. All appears well outwardly; life seems normal with family, friends, home, work, health, and church. But deep inside something seems so wrong – the water (inner person/soul/spirit/heart) is troubled and the ground (purpose/calling in life) is barren. We have tried again and again – sometimes successfully – to recover that “river of living water flowing from our heart” (John 7:38).
Many times, we encounter adversities and difficulties. To be sure, we can, and should, use our God-given physical, mental and spiritual abilities to combat these enemies. But, if all our attempts to conquer them have failed and we realize that God is still with us, we remember that He promised His presence, His power, and His peace as we put our trust in Him. So, we turn to Him once again.
It was just a little salt in the right place from the hand of God’s servant. As we turn to Him, we receive from the hand of our Lord Jesus Christ that dash of salt in our hearts…it may be a thought of God’s lovingkindness, a recollection of a former blessing, a reminder of a special verse from His Word, or the inner voice of the Holy spirit speaking love, joy, peace…whatever it may be and however it may come, something wonderful happens within these humble souls made new by His love.
Sometimes, it doesn’t take much to “bring us up out of the miry clay and set our feet upon a rock … and put a new song in our mouth … “ (Psalm 40:2). Just a little salt can purify that troubled heart.
“Blessed are the purified in heart, for they shall see God” (Matthew 5:8).
Fr. Andrew
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