Everyone – Lot and his family members were warned by the angels of God. Yet Lot’s wife looked back and she was transformed. She became a “pillar of salt”.
But his wife looked back behind him, and she became a pillar of salt. (Genesis 19:26 NKJV)
Abraham’s nephew was called Lot. Abraham was asked to leave the Ur of Chaldees by God ( in present day Iraq) to the promised land of Canaan (modern day Israel). Abraham was accompanied by his wife and his nephew Lot.
Lot had a good teacher in his uncle Abraham. Through uncle Abraham, his nephew Lot learned about God. He probably learned something about walking with God in obedience as well. Abraham loved his nephew and always protected him and even waged wars to get back Lot and what belonged to him from the enemy’s possession.
Yet, Lot had a few shortcomings. Was this related to his name? We do not know. However his name Lot meant ‘to conceal’ or ‘cover’.
Lot and his uncle were together for a long time. But as their possessions increased, the servants of Lot and those of Abraham started quarrelling. Gradually the arguments and quarrels started increasing. So for sake of peace they decided to part ways. To prevent the servants from complaining against each other, Abraham and Lot decided to separate among themselves, travel to different directions, until they settled far away from each other..
Abraham offered Lot the first choice of the land. He was asked to choose any land around him. Lot choose the visibly green and fertile lands. Abraham was not particular on any land. He preferred to choose any land that was not chosen by Lot.
Abraham did not intend to shortchange his nephew and make a shrewd choice considered to be worldly wise. Abraham had a surrendered approach. Most certainly Abraham knew the most important matter in choosing any land was having the Lord God’s favour and the Lord’s presence with him.
Now the place where Lot settled was green, probably it was well watered as well. The people would not have had any lack. The land was called Sodom. But people were perverts and led a morally decadent life. They did not have a relationship with God. When people or nations who are not grounded in God, get wealth, they are less likely to consider God.
So when the angels of God told Abraham about God’s plan to destroy Sodom (where Abraham’s nephew Lot stayed), Abraham pleaded with God to avoid punishing Sodom. But since righteous people were few in Sodom, God had to go ahead and roll out the destruction. However since Lot was considered a friend & nephew of Abraham, God wanted to protect him, as Lot was considered righteous.
So the two angels told Lot to bring his wife and their children out of Sodom. But there was hesitation to obey the angels of the Lord, even disobedience. All this in spite of knowing that they were the angels in human form because of the various supernatural manifestations. These included their supernatural strength, the blinding of the people of Sodom who had come to Lots house trying to attack them. You can read all about Lot and his family in Genesis, chapter 19. In spite of seeing these first hand and knowing the warning given by them, a lack of belief in them showed the casualness which Lot’s family was used to.
Even Lot’s decision to continue to stay in Sodom after knowing the moral fabric of the city, could point to lack of determination to pursue what pleases God in all earnestness. After staying in Sodom for a few years would not the city’s nature rubbed into Lot’s family?
Even when the two angels asked Lot to rush out with his wife and children of Sodom due to the impending destruction, Lot hesitated. The angels had to literally force/carry them out of Sodom. Let us read the specific verse from Genesis 19.
When the morning dawned, the angels urged Lot to hurry, saying, “Arise, take your wife and your two daughters who are here, lest you be consumed in the punishment of the city.” And while he lingered, the men took hold of his hand, his wife’s hand, and the hands of his two daughters, the Lord being merciful to him, and they brought him out and set him outside the city. (Genesis 19: 15-16 NKJV)
Lot’s wife was physically out of danger like Lot and his daughters. But her heart lingered in Sodom. The sin and lifestyle of Sodom. That caused her to disobey the instructions and ultimately cost her life.
LoBut Lot’s wife looked back. She was turned into a pillar of salt.
We would have moved away from a lifestyle of sin. Yet it’s important to examine if our heart still lingers there. Whatever be the situation or circumstance, when we seek the Lord, he’s faithful to show a way out. His mercies are rich. The Lord doesn’t want any of us to go through the experience of Lot’s wife.
Let us read what Jesus told about Lot, Sodom and Lot’s wife during these last days.
Likewise as it was also in the days of Lot: They ate, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they built; but on the day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all. Even so will it be in the day when the Son of Man is revealed. (Luke 17:28-30 NKJV)
“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. Remember Lot’s wife. (Luke 17:31-32 NKJV)
May the Holy Spirit remind you what requires to be reminded. May you be richly blessed as you spend time meditating the word, with your heart being good ground yielding a hundred fold.
