1. The Names and Geography of the Dead Sea
The Dead Sea is called by several names in Scripture. It is called the Salt Sea because of its extremely high mineral and salt content. It is called the Sea of the Arabah because it lies in the Arabah valley. The prophet Ezekiel calls it the Eastern Sea, in contrast to the Western Sea (the Mediterranean). The Dead Sea is located approximately thirteen hundred feet below sea level, making it the lowest point on the surface of the earth. The Jordan River flows into it from the north, but there is no outlet. The intense evaporation leaves behind salt and minerals, creating a barren wasteland.
2. The Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah
The Dead Sea region was once a fertile plain, described by Moses as "well watered everywhere, before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, like the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt." Abraham and Lot parted company there, with Lot choosing the plain of Jordan because it was lush and prosperous. But the men of Sodom were exceedingly wicked and sinful against the Lord. God rained brimstone and fire on Sodom and Gomorrah, overthrowing those cities and all the plain, and Lot's wife looked back and became a pillar of salt. The once-fertile valley became a desolate salt wasteland, a perpetual reminder of God's judgment against sin.
3. The Salt Sea as a Boundary of the Promised Land
God described the boundaries of the Promised Land to Moses, saying, "Your western border shall be the Great Sea; and this shall be your northern border... You shall mark out your eastern border from Hazar Enan to Shepham; the border shall go down to Riblah... and the border shall reach to the eastern side of the Sea of Chinnereth; and the border shall go down along the Jordan, and it shall end at the Salt Sea." The Salt Sea formed the southeastern boundary of the inheritance of Israel. The tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh received their inheritance east of the Jordan, but the Salt Sea marked the limit of the land.
4. The Dead Sea in the Time of the Patriarchs and Kings
In the days of Abraham, four kings fought against five kings in the Valley of Siddim, which is the Salt Sea. The kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fell there, and Lot was taken captive. Abraham pursued the invaders and rescued Lot. Later, the Dead Sea region was part of the kingdom of Moab and Ammon. The Israelites did not possess the land around the Dead Sea directly, as God had given Ar to the descendants of Lot. The sea remained a barren boundary between Israel and her eastern neighbors.
5. The Salt Sea as a Symbol of Judgment
The Dead Sea's lifeless waters became a symbol of God's judgment. Ezekiel declared to Jerusalem, "Because you have forgotten Me and cast Me behind your back, therefore you also shall bear your lewdness and your harlotry." The Dead Sea, with its salt and barrenness, was a picture of what sin produces. The prophet Zephaniah warned that Moab and Ammon would become like Sodom and Gomorrah, "a perpetual desolation." The apostles Peter and Jude both reference Sodom and Gomorrah as examples of the judgment of eternal fire. The Dead Sea stands as a perpetual witness to the reality of divine judgment.
6. The Dead Sea in the Prophecy of Ezekiel
The prophet Ezekiel saw a vision of water flowing from the threshold of the temple toward the east. The water flowed down to the Arabah and to the sea. Ezekiel declared, "When they enter the sea, the waters of the sea shall be healed." The Dead Sea, which had been lifeless, would become fresh. Fish would abound, and fishermen would stand along its shores. Trees would grow on its banks, bearing fruit every month. This prophecy points to the millennial reign of Christ when the curse will be rolled back and the land will be healed. The Dead Sea, once a symbol of judgment, will become a place of life.
7. The Dead Sea in the Prophecy of Zechariah
Zechariah also prophesied of living waters flowing out from Jerusalem, half toward the Eastern Sea (Dead Sea) and half toward the Western Sea (Mediterranean). He declared, "It shall continue in summer and in winter." The healing of the Dead Sea is part of the restoration of all things when the Lord becomes King over all the earth. The prophet Joel spoke of a fountain coming from the house of the Lord watering the Valley of Acacias. These prophecies await their fulfillment in the return of Christ and the establishment of His kingdom.
8. The Dead Sea and the Judgment of Edom
In the prophecy of Obadiah, the Lord declares that judgment would come upon Edom. The prophet Isaiah also speaks of the judgment of Edom, describing the land as burning pitch that will not be quenched. The region south of the Dead Sea, including the land of Edom, is characterized by desolation. The Salt Sea and its surrounding wasteland became a symbol of the judgment that awaits all who oppose the Lord. The final book of Revelation describes the lake of fire, the ultimate judgment, using imagery drawn from the Dead Sea region.
9. The Dead Sea in the New Testament
While the Dead Sea is not named in the New Testament, its region is present in the Gospels. Jesus ministered in the area of Judea and beyond the Jordan, which would have included the western and eastern shores of the Dead Sea. John the Baptist baptized in the Jordan River near the Dead Sea region. The saltiness of the Dead Sea influenced the language of Jesus when He said, "You are the salt of the earth." Salt preserves and purifies, but the Dead Sea's salt produces death. Believers are to be salt that brings life.
10. The Spiritual Application for Believers Today
The Dead Sea stands as a warning of the consequences of sin. Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed because of their wickedness, and the Salt Sea remains a perpetual reminder that God judges sin. But the Dead Sea also points to hope. The same power that healed the Dead Sea in Ezekiel's vision will heal the sin-sick soul. Jesus Christ is the fountain of living water. He said, "Whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life." From the throne of God, living water flows. Let every sinner flee from the judgment of the Salt Sea and drink from the waters of life.
Conclusion
The Dead Sea, also called the Salt Sea, is the lowest point on earth and a symbol of judgment. It was formed by the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, which God overthrew with fire and brimstone. The sea became a boundary marker for the Promised Land and a perpetual reminder of the consequences of sin. Yet prophecy declares that one day the Dead Sea will be healed when living waters flow from Jerusalem. Let every believer remember the judgment of the Salt Sea and flee to Christ, the fountain of living water.