Remember Lot’s wife
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Remember Lot’s wife.
Remember Lot’s wife
It is necessary for mariners frequently to consult charts or maps, which have been drawn for the purpose of pointing out to them the different bearings of different countries, and of guarding them against obstacles which would endanger the safety of their ship.
But even with all the care that has been taken to assure the situation of rocks and where there are large numbers of fish swimming, it often happens that ships are still wrecked, where no caution has been given in the most approved charts, and where no danger was perceived.
We can not afford this to happen to us who are sailing for the ports of heaven.
There is not a rock or stumbling block that is not plainly laid down in the inspired word of God; nor is there any fear of shipwreck to those who will follow the course which is lay out before them.
But multitudes do perish, notwithstanding they have the Word of God before them, is certain.
Many who have for a long time enjoyed, like Demas, on a prosperous voyage, have yet, through their inattention to the cautions given them, struck upon the rocks of worldliness, and come short of the desired harbour.
For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia.
But the fault is in themselves only; they have been warned against such dangers to which they were exposed: it had been said to them, and it is said to us also, “Remember Lot’s wife.”
I. What We Are to Remember Concerning Lots Wife
1. Her sin— [She, as the history informs us, looked back towards Sodom after she had been delivered from it by the angels.
But his wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt.
Is it asked, What harm there was in this?
In many points of view exceeding sinful.
It was (to speak of it in the most favourable light) a curious look.
Curiosity kills the cat...
Curiosity may indeed be innocent in respect to some things; but in reference to others, it may be highly criminal.
Who can doubt the criminality of those Bethshemites who looked into the ark; when above fifty thousand of them were struck dead upon the spot for their transgression.
And he smote the men of Beth-shemesh, because they had looked into the ark of the Lord, even he smote of the people fifty thousand and threescore and ten men: and the people lamented, because the Lord had smitten many of the people with a great slaughter.
50,070 men
Indulging an and having a unhallowed curiosity to see, or hear, or read, things which he had no proper call to inquire into, and desiring to know only to inflame your imagination, which defiles the soul.
And surely the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah was not a fit subject for curiosity, at a time that she was rescued from it by angels: her mind ought to have been very differently occupied on other things.
But it was also an unbelieving look.
She had been told that fire and brimstone should come down from heaven to destroy those wicked cities;
She was desirous to know whether the threatening were indeed true, or whether she was fleeing from only imaginary dangers.
And was this no sin? Jesus said remember Lots wife.
Was not Sarah reproved for doubting an almost incredible promise.
Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, After I am waxed old shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also? And the Lord said unto Abraham, Wherefore did Sarah laugh, saying, Shall I of a surety bear a child, which am old?
Was not Zacharias struck deaf and dumb for a similar fault.
And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years. And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings. And, behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season.
Yea, were not all the nation of Israel doomed to perish in the wilderness on account of their unbelief.
And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not? So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.
Who then will say, What harm was there in Lots wife conduct?
Moreover, it was a wishful look
She had left a part of her family behind, together with (what she seemed more anxious about) the whole of her possessions; and, instead of being thankful for the preservation of her life, she was filled with regret about what she had lost.
That this was a very essential part of her fault, is certain: because she is proposed as a warning to us in this particular view.
Her treasure was more in Sodom than in heaven; and she shewed by her look, that “where her treasure was, there was her heart also.”
Was there then no crime in “setting her affections on things below, instead of on things above?”