Remember Lot's Wife

Luke 17:28–32 NKJV

28 Likewise as it was also in the days of Lot: They ate, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they built; 29 but on the day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all. 30 Even so will it be in the day when the Son of Man is revealed. 31 “In that day, he who is on the housetop, and his goods are in the house, let him not come down to take them away. And likewise the one who is in the field, let him not turn back. 32 Remember Lot’s wife.

The Setting: Jesus is telling His disciples about the last days

Every eye will see Him - from one part under heaven to the other

it will be a day like any other day...

He makes two comparisons:

the days of Noah

and the days of Lot

And He tells us to Remember Lot’s Wife

Why should we remember her?

Of all the characters in the story He could have told us to remember: Abraham, Lot, the angels… He tells us specifically to remember Lot’s wife...

We can learn about God even from those who reject Him

A lot of people don’t want to hear what they call “negative” preaching - or correction --

But Jesus specifically mentioned this story to His disciples and said to remember her

What is there to remember?

The City of Sodom

One of a number of cities in the area of the dead sea

a modern city of its day — growing, rich, having plenty and pleasure

As its people grew in pleasure, they also pleasured in sin

A place that people who sought pleasure would be drawn to

also people who sought sin

also people who sought riches - trade etc.

We know that it existed -

We know that it was known for its plentiful water and pastures

Genesis 13:10 NKJV

10 And Lot lifted his eyes and saw all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered everywhere (before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah) like the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt as you go toward Zoar.

We also know that the area is a dessert today with almost no fresh water -

The Man Lot

Lot was a “good person”, but he was selfish, and this lead to his ruin

Raised by Abraham

No doubt taught many good principles and values

But his selfishness and greed lead him to separate from Abraham and choose the best for himself

Lot’s selfishness led him to surround himself with the wrong people

He was drawn to the city of Sodom

Perhaps to please his wife

Perhaps for the conveniences it offered

Regardless of the reason, while he was there, they were corrupting him

2 Peter 2:6–8 NKJV

6 and turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes, condemned them to destruction, making them an example to those who afterward would live ungodly; 7 and delivered righteous Lot, who was oppressed by the filthy conduct of the wicked 8 (for that righteous man, dwelling among them, tormented his righteous soul from day to day by seeing and hearing their lawless deeds)—

Lot was saved from Sodom by the grace of God

but even after leaving, he had been oppressed “vexed” by their filthy (sinful) ways -

in seeing and hearing he tormented - or vexed himself - what was his “righteous soul”

The bible tells us that bad company corrupts good character

Even after this mighty deliverance, Lot’s end was alone, drunken, incestuous relations with his daughters, hiding in caves

The Escape From Sodom

God sent Angels to destroy the city

Because of Abraham’s intercession, they stopped to save Lot and his family

they said they could not complete their mission until he was out of the city

There are many people alive today, because of a praying relative or friend

Lot tried to convince his sons in law - but they would not

And he lingered - until they took him by the wrist

Only him and his wife and daughters went

AS soon as they were out of the city, it began to rain fire and brimstone from heaven

this brimstone - most likely molten liquid salts and minerals is without doubt what created the dead sea

it was likely a meteor storm from God

But his wife didn’t really want to go----

The Woman Lot Married

She preferred to stay in Sodom - and would have kept Lot there also if she could have

there are a good many wives who will keep their husbands in Sodom if they can

It was place that had everything she wanted

comfort and ease

probably plenty of gossip

every sensual product to satisfy the flesh and her vanity

A place of wordly beauty - no doubt make up, hair stylists, the latest fashion

She was no doubt a sensual woman - a worldly woman

it should be no surprise that Lot married her, since he was a selfish person

he likely chose a woman who satisfied his sensual, carnal nature more than his spiritual nature, more than God

She probably agreed to his beliefs, but not with conviction, and he probably knew better, but proceeded

When it was time to leave Sodom, she agreed to leave, but then looked back

this was both physical and spiritual

she was looking back in her heart - her heart was still there in Sodom

The Bible tells us in Hebrews 11 that if we want to look back, we will have opportunity to go back — (and reap all the consequences of same)

She chose frivolous temporal pleasure over faith and eternal salvation

As she looked back, apparently stopping to do so, the bible says she became a pillar of salt

she was hit by one of these falling molten salt meteors that would salt the water to created the dead sea

as the melted salt hit her it solidified, as it covered her body, creating a pillar, and a gruesome memorial

And as Gruesome as this may seem, Jesus told us to “remember Lot’s wife”

What is it that we should remember?

God Love you - and all the world

So much that He sent His only Son

God will raise people to pray for you, to intercede for you

and you may also be one of those He raises to intercede

God will send Angles to deliver you

to bear you up in their hands lest you dash you foot against a stone

They will blind the enemies who may try to harm you

They will hinder those who hinder you

It is not the will of God that any should perish, but that all should repent —

And, after all that, remember Lot’s wife, if you still desire what He wants to save you from - He will allow your choice to stand — even if it leads to a burning pillar of salt - - even if it leads to burning in hell forever

The message to remember is not just the destruction of this woman - but the love of God that wanted to save her --- and to choose that love for yourself

2 Peter 3:8–10 NKJV

8 But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up.