I don’t know her name, but the wife of Lot paid a high price for living in the past. This is the story of how Lot’s wife became a pillar of salt in Genesis 19:15-29 for not obeying God.
In the Final Days of Sodom and Gomorrah…
Learn how looking back can sometimes keep us from moving ahead in this study of the Bible. It tells about the final days of Sodom and Gomorrah.
Lot’s wife disobeyed God and was turned into a pillar of salt. Ultimately, her story serves as a reminder that not following God’s commands can have serious consequences.
Lot’s Wife Becomes a Pillar of Salt in Genesis
When they had brought them outside, one said, “Escape for your life!
Do not look behind you, and do not stay anywhere in the valley; escape to the mountains, or you will be swept away.”
But Lot said to them, “Oh no, my lords!
Now behold, your servant has found favor in your sight, and you have magnified your loving kindness, which you have shown me by saving my life; but I cannot escape to the mountains, for the disaster will overtake me and I will die; now behold, this town is near enough to flee to, and it is small.
Please, let me escape there (is it not small?) that my life may be saved.”
He said to him, “Behold, I grant you this request also, not to overthrow the town of which you have spoken.
Hurry, escape there, for I cannot do anything until you arrive there.” Therefore the name of the town was called Zoar.
The sun had risen over the earth when Lot came to Zoar.
Then the Lord rained on Sodom and Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the Lord out of heaven, and He overthrew those cities, and all the valley, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and what grew on the ground.
But his wife, from behind him, looked back, and she became a pillar of salt. – Genesis 19:17-26 NASB
Sodom and Gomorrah and the Consequence of Disobedience
This passage about Sodom and Gomorrah really begins back in Genesis 19:1 when the angels appeared in the square of Sodom.
I suggest taking another look at the passages leading up to verse 15 because they will give you more insight as to what was going on in Sodom and Gomorrah at the time of this writing.
This passage about Sodom and Gomorrah really begins back in Genesis 19:1 when the angels appeared in the square of Sodom.
I suggest that you take another look at the passages leading up to verse 15. They will give you more insight into what was happening in Sodom and Gomorrah at the time of this writing.
The Strangers
Lot protected the angels from a crowd who wanted to defile them by offering his own daughters up for rape by the raging mob. He was willing to make the ultimate sacrifice in order to protect the angels from harm. His decision was a testament to his commitment to upholding his faith and upholding the law.
This tells the story of how low these two cities had become. Still, Lot hesitated to leave his home.
Holding on to Material Things
You see, Lot had wealth and possessions in Sodom. So, leaving the city was the furthest thing from his mind. Yes, Lot was greedy and self-centered – but what about us? For instance, how often do we prioritize our own comfort and pleasure over the needs of others?
Lot’s choice seems clear with our 20/20 hindsight. But he was drawn in by the glitz and glimmer of a sin city with attractions made of paper.
The Temptation of – Us
We also live in a world of temptation and worldly pleasure. In fact, our society parallels Sodom and Gomorrah. We can purchase almost anything under the sun. And, it’s easier to ignore God’s calling for our lives because of distractions.
So, we need to be careful not to fall into the trap as Lot did. We must remain vigilant and true to our faith to escape the consequences of Sodom and Gomorrah.
Lost Possessions
Lot’s wife held on to the past and what she left behind by “looking back“.
Just as Lot’s wife was turned into a pillar of salt, we will have no future as long as we pine over things lost. So, let’s move forward in what God asks us to do. So, Don’t look back!
Love in Christ
– Bob
If you would like to discover how to receive the love and life-changing experience of Jesus Christ, please take a moment to read John 3:16 and learn more.