Remember Lot's Wife!
Raymond Harris
Bloomington, Indiana
In Luke 17:32, Jesus said, "Remember Lot's wife." This is an interesting admonition in view of how little we know of Lot's wife. However, the little that is known of this woman is sufficient to teach some very sobering lessons. Let's consider some enlightening facts and some interesting deductions. The Unknown 1. We do not know Lot's wife's name. 2. We do not know her nationality. 3. We do not know how many children she had. 4. We do not know how religious she was. The Known 1. She was married to a well-to-do man with flocks, herds, tents, and herdsmen. 2. After they became prosperous, she moved with her family into town (Gen. 13:10-12). 3. The town (Sodom) was filled with people who were exceedingly sinful and wicked before the Lord (Gen. 13:13). 4. She had the difficult task of raising her family in this very wicked city. 5. She had daughters that were either married or engaged to men of Sodom. (Scholars are divided in their understanding, of Genesis 19:14. The Hebrew terms used can be translated to mean that the "sons in law" were already married or just engaged. If they were married, it would mean that Lot left his married daughters behind, and they died in the destruction. If they were just engaged to Lot's two virgin daughters [Gen. 19:8], it would mean that Lot left Sodom with all his family.) 6. Lot's wife fled Sodom with her husband and their two daughters. 7. She and all the family were instructed by God's angels to flee and not "look back." 8. In disobedience to God's commandments, Lot's wife "looked back" (Gen. 19:26). 9. She was punished for her disobedience-"She became a pillar of salt" (Gen. 19:26). And so, Jesus warned, "Remember Lot's wife." He was in fact reminding one and all again that disobedience will always be rewarded with the wrath of God. We all need to understand that "God is not mocked; for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap" (Gal. 6:7). Truly, "It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God" (Heb. 10:31). Remember Lot's wife! Guardian of Truth XXIX: 18, p. 566 |