ALPHA MAAMA (A.M.)

 Tokonaki Sune 26, 2021

ko e fuakava fakamāsima ia, ta‘engata, ‘i he ‘ao ‘o Sihova

It is a covenant of salt forever before the Lord

Nomipa 18 (Numbers 18 )

 

* G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible*

Once more we find a repetition of sundry laws which had a direct bearing on the events recorded, and the reason is explicitly stated in the words, "That there be wrath no more upon the children of Israel."

The repeated affiliation of the fact of divine appointment as to the position in service of Aaron and the sons of Levi is an arresting and suggestive matter. Observe such sentences as these: "I give you the priesthood as a service of gift" (verse Num 18:7 );"I have given them (all the wave-offerings) unto thee, and to thy sons and to thy daughters with thee, as a portion for ever" (verse Num 18:11 ); "I am thy portion and thine inheritance among the children of Israel" (verse Num 18:20 ); "I have given (the tithe) to the Levites" (verse Num 18:24 ).

Thus it was made clear that appointment to the priesthood and possession of its privileges and its peculiar relationship to God, together with provision for the sustenance of all those appointed were by direct divine government and according to divine purpose.

It was finally provided that of the tithe, which &as the divinely appointed portion of the Levites, a tithe was to be by them specifically offered to God.

 

*Commentary: David Guzik – Study Guide to Numbers *

V.19 - Ko e ngaahi me‘a tapu kotoa ‘oku hapai ‘e ha‘a ‘Isileli kia Sihova kuo u ‘atu ia kiate koe, pea ki ho ngaahi foha, pea ki ho ngaahi ‘ōfefine foki, ko e fatongia ta‘engata: ko e fuakava fakamāsima ia, ta‘engata, ‘i he ‘ao ‘o Sihova, kiate koe mo ho hako foki.

V. 19 - All the holy contributions that the people of Israel present to the Lord I give to you, and to your sons and daughters with you, as a perpetual due. It is a covenant of salt forever before the Lord for you and for your offspring with you.

I have given to you and your sons and daughters with you as an ordinance forever: All of these belonged to the priests, and it was vitally important the children of Israel fulfill their obligation to bring these things - God calls it a covenant of salt forever.

Salt speaks of purity, of preservation, and of expense. So, a covenant of salt is a pure covenant (salt stays a pure chemical compound), a covenant of salt is an enduring covenant (salt makes things preserve and endure), and a covenant of salt is a valuable covenant (salt was expensive).

Spurgeon on the covenant of salt: "By which was meant that it was an unchangeable, incorruptible covenant, which would endure as salt makes a thing to endure, so that it is not liable to putrefy or corrupt."

According to custom, a bond of friendship was established through the eating of salt. It was said that once you had eaten a man's salt, you were his friend for life.