Remember Lot’s wife
“Remember Lot’s wife.” (Luke 17:32) ‘R emember the Alamo!” Does this saying stir up any emotions within us today? Do we hear this saying and think back to the men that lost their lives to the Mexican Army on that fateful day, March 6, 1836? Are we called to action when hearing these words?
“Remember 9/11!” What does this saying mean to most that hear it? When we hear the words “9/11” or “World Trade Center” we automatically are filled with emotions as we think back to that Tuesday morning that changed the lives of so many people.
“Remember Lot’s wife!”
What does this saying mean to us? To most people this means absolutely nothing, and those that are familiar with Lot’s wife, rarely, if ever, reflect upon her life, but Jesus used her in an illustration (Luke 17:32) to remind us of the faithful lives we should be living, but how often are we mindful of Lot’s wife? The background of Lot and his family is found in Genesis 19, as Lot and his family were warned to leave the city of Sodom because of the doom that was to come. Lot and his family were warned to leave and not look back but while they were leaving the city, Lot’s wife looked back and was turned to a pillar of salt (Genesis 19:26). It is this event that Jesus would mention while speaking of the second coming, reminding us to be ready for His coming. Let’s take the Lord’s advice and remember Lot’s wife.
Lot’s wife was associated with the righteous. Many read about the life of Lot and state he was a “Sodomite VIP” but the Bible states he was a righteous man (2 Peter 2:4-8). Of all the people of Sodom that were destroyed because of their wickedness, Lot was one of the few that was spared because of his righteousness. Abraham begged for the mercy of the Lord over the city of Sodom and asked the city to be spared if he could find ten righteous (Gen. 18:33) but ten could not be found. Of the many people in the city of Sodom, only Lot and his two daughters were unable to escape unharmed. Lot’s wife was a part of the family of those that were righteous. She was married to the one that was most righteous in the city.
Although she was married to Lot, her simply being married to him would not be enough to save her from destruction. Many may be inclined to believe they will be saved simply because they are associated with the righteous. Many may attend church services and may think they will be saved just because they “never miss a service”. Some may be inclined to believe they will be saved because their parents were faithful Christians. Some may be inclined to believe they are saved because their children are faithful Christians. No one will be saved just because of their association with certain people. The only association that will save us on the Day of Judgment is being associated with Jesus Christ, being covered by His blood, and living faithfully for Him in His church (1 John 2:1-2).
Lot’s wife was warned of the danger. “And the men said unto Lot, Hast thou here any besides? son in law, and thy sons, and thy daughters, and whatsoever thou hast in the city, bring them out of this place: For we will destroy this place, because the cry of them is waxen great before the face of the Lord; and the Lord hath sent us to destroy it.”
(Genesis 19:12–13). Lot’s wife could not claim she was ignorant of what was going to happen. She saw the angels and heard what was going to happen. Lot was told to gather all he had and exit the city. If Lot’s wife was not saved from the upcoming destruction, it would be at the hands of her own demise. Many on the Day of Judgment will attempt to claim ignorance of what is taking place. Although many would like to be able to claim ignorance, they will be without excuse.
God has given us His Word; it is to be used as instruction in righteousness (2 Tim.
3:16-17), we have been told to study the Word (2 Tim.
2:15), and we have plenty of opportunities throughout our lives to be informed of what will take place when life is over. Many will be like Lot’s wife on the Day of Judgment. There will be many that have sat in worship services and have heard the Gospel preached, they have heard what they must do to be saved, but they will not be able to enter heaven because they have failed to obey the commands given in Scripture. Hearing (and only hearing) was not enough to save Lot’s wife, and it will not be enough to save us.
Lot’s wife was given instruction. Lot’s wife heard the warning of what was going to happen and heard what she had to do to be saved from the coming destruction (Gen. 19:15-17). There was not any detail that had not been given to Lot’s wife. She knew she was to leave the city; she knew if she stayed, she would be consumed, and she knew if she looked back she would be destroyed.
God has given us everything we need to know to be saved and has not failed to give us everything we need to know (2 Peter 1:3; 2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Peter 3:9). Although we have all we need to know to be saved and many have heard it, there will be some that will be destroyed because they did not heed the warnings from God.
Lot’s wife was making preparation. Lot’s wife was preparing to do what the Lord commanded but was destroyed (Gen. 19:26).
She heard what was going to happen and what she had to do, and she was preparing but did not complete what the Lord told her to do. How many have met a similar fate? How many will be denied entrance into heaven because they planned to obey the Lord, perhaps they were waiting for a more convenient time, and passed from this life before being able to finalize their plans?
Lot’s wife was not obedient to the instruction of God. Lot’s wife was destroyed for only one reason, she did not obey. She had a righteous example to follow in her husband, she was knowledgeable of the plans of the Lord, she was planning to be saved, but she did not obey. God desires His creation be obedient to Him (Ecc. 12:13). God rewards those that obey (2 Tim. 4:8; Rev. 2:10; John 14:15; Matt. 7:21-23). Lot’s wife could have been spared if she obeyed all the commands given to her, but because she disobeyed one command she was not saved from destruction.
We need to remember Lot’s wife. We need to remember God demands obedience. We need to remember that unless we do as God has commanded we will be in danger of the coming destruction.
Jeremy Thornton is Minister of Highway 77 Church of Christ in Marion, Arkansas.
Jeremy Thornton
