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What Does Mᵉlach Mean For American Bases & The Midterms?

What Does Mᵉlach Mean For American Bases & The Midterms?

Last updated on: September 18, 2026 at 1:17 pm by Martin Thomas Johnson

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What Does Mᵉlach Mean For American Bases & The Midterms? 2026-09-18T13:17:42-04:00 Martin Thomas Johnson

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This week, there has been a lot of news about US bases in the Middle East being damaged by Iranian forces. Soldiers released photos to various news media outlets, which reveal damage to buildings and military equipment at various US installations that are strategically placed.

Image by Wikimedia Commons

The United States has long maintained military installations throughout the Middle East. In 1980, the United States expanded its military footprint in the Middle East after the 1979 Iranian revolution and invasion of Afghanistan to help safeguard access to Gulf oil.

The US has many defensive and Maritime forces stationed in foreign countries that are allies to America. Iran has been attacking US installations and our allies for the past few months due to President Trump’s unnecessary war.

However, for the past six months, Pete Hegseth has hidden the truth from Americans about the impact and devastation of Iranian attacks on our installations in the region. Instead of being the light in this dark kingdom, President Trump and his administration are practicing the dark ways of this world (Romans 12:2):

Deception
Abusing power
Unforgiving

The United States ‘ presence in the Middle East is an opportunity to be the salt and light in a violent and unstable region (Ezekiel 43:24, Matthew 5:13-16). Ironically, the Middle East has numerous salt mines that formed from ancient sea beds.

Even Iran has many salt domes, as salt is still a valuable commodity in the Middle East. In ancient times, salt was an important commodity. It had more uses than just being a seasoning. Biblically, it is symbolic of God’s people and what sets them apart from this corrupt dark kingdom (Numbers 18:19, 2 Chronicles 13:5, James 3:12).

What Is Salt

In the 21st century, most people only think of salt as a seasoning for food. Salt is defined as “A crystalline compound that consists of sodium chloride and is abundant in nature.” Salt is a natural preservative.

Image by Pixabay

In ancient times and in many countries today, salt was and is primarily used as a preservative or for cleansing. God’s people are often referred to as salt because God put us here as agents of change and preservatives of all that is good.

That is why the Bible has a lot to say about salt (Ezekiel 16:4, Mark 9:50, Colossians 4:6). We live in a dark and decaying world (Romans 8:20-22, 2 Corinthians 4:4-6, Ephesians 6:12, 1 John 5:19).

There are dark powers and forces at work in this fallen kingdom (Ephesians 6:10-12, 1 Peter 5:8-9). God set us apart from this dark kingdom to be the salt and light to keep the darkness from spreading (John 17:14-18, Acts 26:17-18, Romans 13:12-14, 2 Corinthians 6:14-18, 1 Peter 2:9, 1 John 1:5-7). The apostles remembered their Jewish education about salt and light.

Mᵉlach

The Torah instructs God’s people to use salt to preserve and cleanse (Exodus 30:34-35, Leviticus 2:13, Numbers 18:19). We are also told the warning about not looking back so that we don’t become a pillar of salt (Genesis 19:15-26).

The Hebrew word in the Old Testament for salt is mᵉlach, and it can also mean “Maintenance or, to salt,” depending upon the context in which it is used. Salt is an important substance with lots of symbolism in Judaism (Judges 9:45, 2 Kings 2:21, 2 Chronicles 13:5, Job 6:6, Ezra 6:9).

God made a salt covenant with David and Israel to solidify their relationship (2 Chronicles 13:5):

Unyielding dynasty
Eternal kingdom
Fulfillment
Mercy

When the other “Son of David,” Jesus began His ministry, He reminded His followers of the salt covenant by calling them the salt of the earth (Matthew 5:13). Jesus knew God’s people are called to change the world and not be like it (Matthew 5:13-16, John 20:21).

Image by Pixabay

Our Rabbi reminded His followers about the consequences of losing their preserving power (Luke 14:34-35, Mark 9:49-50). Jesus called His followers to be salt and light in this dark world, not to rule it like our Jewish forefathers wanted to (Matthew 5:13-16).

He encouraged His followers to pursue justice and peace, not earthly might or power (Matthew 5:9; 23:23, Luke 6:27-36).

Midterms

In other big news this week, GOP leadership expressed their concerns about losing the upcoming midterms. Ted Cruz and Mike Johnson have warned the party about the possible impeachment of Pres. Trump if they control of our government.

Image by Pixabay

I remember when the conservative party had Christian goals and standards, instead of this demonic thirst for earthly greatness and power. How have so many conservatives so easily turned from the faith?

Instead, they are focused on the same things of this corrupt and evil world (Psalm 49: 16-20, Mark 8:36-37, 1 John 2:15-17):

Temporary happiness
Earthly power
Greed

I hope and pray conservatives will remember what it means to be the salt and light before the midterms. Loving our enemies and neighbors (Leviticus 19:18, Matthew 5:43-48). Caring for the least of these (Matthew 25:40, James 1:27).

Caring for the foreigners among us (Leviticus 19:33-34, Matthew 25:35-40). If we don’t, God may need to humble America like He turned Lot’s wife into a pillar of mᵉlach!

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