Why Salt?

But his wife looked back behind him, and she became a pillar of salt. Genesis 19:26 NKJV

Have you ever wondered why Lot’s wife turned into a pillar of salt? I know she turned into a pillar of salt because she looked back. What I mean is why was it not sulfur, or magnesium, or potassium, why salt?

Matthew 5:13 says: “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.

Lot and his wife lived in a place of terrible wickedness. They lived there and became inured to it. When they lived, Jesus hadn’t walked the earth and there was no such thing as a Christian. But they could still tell the difference between good and evil. They lived in the place so long they became accustomed to the depravity and lost their saltiness. Instead of being an example of a better way, they became a part of the evil. They didn’t take part in the wickedness, but they didn’t provide a contrast and provoke the people to examine their ways. 

“Well,” you say. “Jesus associated with sinners.” 

He did, but He didn’t make His home with them. He mingled with them, talked to them, and healed some of them, but He didn’t make His home among them. After a certain amount of time with them, He would separate and spend time with God and refresh Himself. Restore His saltiness so when He was among them, the people would see a difference. When He came back to them after being away and spending time with God or the disciples, they could sense His presence, just like when salt is sprinkled on something you can taste it. 

I think God decided on salt for Lot’s wife as a reminder of how we’re supposed to be. She wasn’t salt while she was alive so, she would be salt in death. Let’s remember to evaluate ourselves and keep our saltiness.