Remember Lot’s Wife

[!NOTE] Primary Scripture Reading: Genesis 19:23-29

I. Story account (QUICKLY tell the story)

A. Lot’s separation from Abraham

B. Abraham and his nephew Lot traveled together from Egypt to Canaan

C. Both were very wealthy having many flocks and herds. The number of animals became so great that the herdsmen of Abraham and Lot argued with one another. Abraham thought it best for he and Lot to separate so that their herdsmen’s strife did not put a strain on their family relationship. As the patriarch, Abraham could have chosen his land and Lot would have to take what was left; however, Abraham gave Lot the first choice.

D. Lot wanted the plain of the Jordan River.

E. It was well watered and would be good for his animals. The plain was “like the garden of the Lord” Genesis 13:10 At first, Lot may have lived on the plain before moving to one of the cities.

F. Cities of the plain: Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, Zeboiim and Zoaru

G. Traditional view is the cities were on the south end of the Dead Sea Manna Map Picture from ISBEEventually, Lot became a citizen of Sodom.

H. Sodom and Gomorrah

I. A powerful city

J. City was large enough to raise an army to fight alongside the other cities of the plain against a common oppressor The city was divided into quarters which suggest a large population.

K. Spiritually, the city of Sodom was depraved

L. Genesis 13:13 – Exceedingly wicked and sinful2 Peter 2:7 – the evil deeds of Sodom vexed Lot’s soul

M. Genesis 19

N. Angels of God, appearing as men, visited Sodom to see the evil. Lot feared for the safety of these strangers and took them home. At night, the men from all over the city crowded Lot’s house telling him to send out the men so they could violate them.

O. Lot refused their request and the men turned on him.

P. They were tired of his preaching They would have hurt Lot except the angels saved him.

Q. Though Abraham begged God not to destroy Sodom if there were ten righteous men in the city; ten could not be found.

R. God’s longsuffering ended and He determined to destroy Sodom

S. God destroyed Sodom but delivered Lot’s family (Genesis 19:12-25)

T. Lot appealed to his sons-in law to flee the destruction but they laughed

U. The angels told Lot to take his daughters and wife and flee the city

V. Lot hesitated—lingered—and the angels led him away from Sodom Though the people of the city vexed Lot’s soul his riches were there Though he hesitated, God, in His mercy, led Lot’s family away.

W. The angels gave Lot simple instructions

X. Flee to the mountains for the plain would be destroyed Lot was allowed to flee to a small city called Zoar near the mountains They were commanded to not look back on the destruction

Y. God destroyed the cities of the plain with fire and brimstone

Z. Brimstone is a very flammable substance; usually sulfur. The region of the Dead Sea is filled with sulfur deposits. ISBE: “Once one of these deposits took fire it would melt and run in burning streams down the ravines spreading everywhere suffocating fumes such as come from the ordinary brimstone match.” The destruction devastated the landscape so that it would never return to its former beauty, Genesis 13:102 Peter 2:6 – forever became an example of God’s judgment on the ungodly Throughout the prophets and the gospels, the complete devastation of Sodom and Gomorrah is the symbol of God’s retribution to the wicked.

A. Lot’s wife looked back and was destroyed, Genesis 19:26

II. Tragic death of Lot’s wife

A. Advantages Lot’s wife had

B. She was part of a godly family: Abraham and righteous Lot She received a warning message from God through the angels Though she hesitated, God delivered her from destruction

C. Despite the command, she looked back

D. Her hesitation seems to indicate her heart was still drawn to Sodom

E. Israel looked back

F. Though God delivered Israel from slavery in Egypt by mighty works, their heart sometimes turned back to Egypt While in the wilderness they missed some of the vegetables and meat but said nothing about the bitterness of slavery that caused them to cry to God for deliverance They remembered the pleasure, not the pain.

G. Luke 17:31-32

H. When Jesus warned His audience about the destruction of Jerusalem, He told them to look for the warning signs then, upon seeing them, to flee Jerusalem not looking back. They loved the city of Jerusalem but God intended to destroy it and any who were left there—those who lingered in the city would die. When Lot’s wife turned back, God turned her into a pillar of salt The story of Lot’s wife is tragic for she left a place of sin but longed for it.

III. Lesson for us – We must remember Lot’s wife

A. We have many advantages

B. We have a loving family of God with whom we can be encouraged. We have access to God’s grace for strength and help

C. We have a message from God through His Son

D. Angels warned Lot’s family to flee the destruction of Sodom. Hebrews 1:1-2 – God spoke to us through His Son—superior to angels Hebrews 2:1-3 – We ignore Jesus’ warning to the lost at our own peril

E. We have deliverance from destruction

F. 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10 – God will destroy those who do not serve Him Romans 2:3-8 – Destruction coming to the disobedient Colossians 1:12-14 – Delivered through the sacrifice of Jesus Mark 16:15-16 – Obedience to salvation or disobedience to death Every person who has obeyed has been delivered from the destruction which will engulf all of God’s enemies

G. We must not get so close to sin that it is tough to sever our ties with the world

H. Hebrews 12:1 – Put aside sin that can ensnare2 Corinthians 6:14-18 – Bad associations can lead you away from God

I. We must not look back

J. Luke 9:62 – If we are constantly longing for the world of sin, we are not fit for God’s kingdom Romans 8:12-14 – Put to death the desires of the flesh (constant process)

K. God wants a decision

L. Joshua 24:14-15 – Israel had to choose1 Kings 18:21 – Elijah: “How long will you falter?” Revelation 3:15-16 – God does not like lukewarm followers Hebrews 10:35-39 – Do not draw back to perdition