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Remember the wife of Lot. Luke 17:32.
In my previous post, I have tried to answer the question of why we need to remember the wife of Lot. Now, I sense I have to elaborate a little bit more and explain what exactly do we need to
There are at least three things we need to remember about Lot’s wife:
1. We need to remember the wife of Lot and her privileges
You see, in the times of Abraham and Lot, there were not many people who knew the Only true God of the Universe. Moreover, there were no Churches, Bibles, faith blogs, Christian TVs or Radios. Indeed, only a few families on earth had the privilege of knowing the true God. The rest of them
Lot’s wife was part of the very few people who had the privilege to know about God. She had a righteous husband, and uncle— Abraham. She had to know about God from Abraham. And all the stories of how God spoke to him, led him out of his country and family, and the altars he had built for Him.
Abraham was a real man of God. And you cannot stay close to a genuine man of God without being influenced by him and his walk with the Lord. However, all the privileges she experienced did not transform her heart. Her heart and mind did not focus on the things above but the things of the earth. She had what the Bible calls the appearance of godliness but denying its power (2 Timothy 3:5). All she had was just a form of tradition or religion, but not a real change of heart.
Tradition is not saving anyone nor religion or a denomination. Many people are enjoying good worship songs and the best Bible messages. But they are not changed. Maybe they are surrounded by godly people, they hear their prayers and see their lifestyle but are not impacted in their heart.
We need to remember the wife of Lot because she had all the privileges possible but she still died as the ungodly.
The world was in her heart, and her heart was still in the world. Many people in the Bible were in her position too— they enjoyed great privileges but no regeneration. Like Judah the Iscariot who was in the presence of Jesus for three and a half years— what a great opportunity. Or as Dimas with Apostle Paul (2 Tim. 4:10) or Gehazi and Elisha (2 Kings 5). They had great privileges too. We need to appreciate all these privileges but also to remember that they cannot take the place of Jesus in our heart.
2. We need to remember the wife of Lot and her sin
Her sin is described not in many words in Genesis 19:26 (ESV)
But Lot’s wife, behind him, looked back, and she became a pillar of salt.
She just looked behind. Why was her sin punished so harsh one can ask? She did not kill anyone, she did not lie, commit adultery or gossip. You might say she did not harm her neighbor!
However, her action of looking behind revealed her unbelief in the Lord. And without faith it is impossible to please him (Hebrews 11:6, ESV). By looking back, she revealed her disobedience. Because the command of the angel was clear and straightforward (Gen 19:17). Moreover, by looking back, she revealed her secret love for the world, as her heart remained in Sodom.
As J. C. Ryle and others, I believe this was the thing Jesus had in mind when He told His disciples (and us) to remember the wife of Lot. She never renounced the world in her heart. Even though in the eyes of the people she looked like she is walking on the right path. However, God is the only One who is searching the mind and heart (Revelation 2:23).
3. We need to remember the wife of Lot and her judgment
…she became a pillar of salt.
The same God who gave her life now took her life. She had a sudden death. No more grace to repent for the wife of Lot. Therefore, Jesus wants all of His disciples to remember the wife of Lot and how she ended up.
However, many others in the Bible had part of a tragic end. Like Korah, Dathan, and Abiram. In Numbers 16:31-32 (ESV) we read how they died
And the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them up, with their households and all the people who belonged to Korah and all their goods. So they and all that belonged to them went down alive into Sheol, and the earth closed over them, and they perished from the midst of the assembly.
They saw what God did in Egypt and the Mount Sinai wrapped in smoke (Ex. 19:18). And all the other miracles, but they lost their life and soul. Or like Nadab and Abihu (Lev. 10) who offered unauthorized fire before the Lord and the fire of God consumed them and died. Even though they were the sons of the High Priest— it did not matter. As a matter of fact, I could give you a much longer list of people who had a tragic end because of their disobedience.
Not to mention that there are people in our days claiming that there is no hell. And that God, because He is love, will not send anyone to it. Honestly, this is a high error!
Now what?
We need to give Jesus all of our hearts not just a piece as Lot’s wife did. We need to surrender all of our life to Jesus not only what we want. Jesus cannot be only your Savior but not your Lord. And talking about this, A. W. Tozer said that probably no other error sent more people to hell than the one of thinking that Jesus can be your Savior but not your Lord. There are too many people believing this lie. I am talking about people who go to Church and claim that are believers.
We need to remember the wife of Lot. We need to appreciate all the privileges we have but keep in mind that the opportunities alone do not save. Moreover, we need to let God search our lives if we love this world or the world to come. And if we genuinely seek His Kingdom first and have our mind on the things above.
Pray and spend time in the Presence of God. Let Him speak to your heart. Let us all remember the wife of Lot.
Do you agree?
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I am a blogger, writer, pastor, Director of Zion Romania Bible School, husband to Olguta, a father and, most importantly, a child of God. I also completed my studies at the King’s University where I earned a B.A. in Theology with a concentration in Messianic Jewish Studies. I love Israel and I love the ‘Jewishness’ of the Bible.
I do agree!
Thank you Oni!
God bless you, Valentina!