Remembering Lot’s Wife

In Luke 17:32, Jesus gives us a simple but profound command: "Remember Lot's wife." This isn't just a casual suggestion - it's a direct commandment from Christ himself. While we're never told to remember Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, or other biblical heroes, we are specifically commanded to remember this unnamed woman who died in judgment. What can we learn from someone whose story ended in such tragedy?

What Do We Know About Lot's Wife?

The biblical account tells us very little about Lot's wife personally. We don't even know her name. What we do know is that she was married to Lot, lived in the sinful city of Sodom, and when God's judgment came, she was given a chance to escape. The angels commanded her family not to look back as they fled, but she disobeyed and was instantly turned into a pillar of salt. Despite the brevity of her story, Jesus tells us to remember her. This suggests there are important lessons we need to learn from her life and death.

Her Spiritual Privileges

Privileged Relationships

Lot's wife had extraordinary spiritual advantages. She was part of the only family on earth at that time serving the one true God. Her uncle by marriage was Abraham, whom Scripture calls "the friend of God" (James 2:23). She witnessed Abraham's dedication to the Lord and saw his worship. She also witnessed a dramatic rescue when Abraham pursued the kings who had captured Lot, demonstrating God's power and protection. When the king of Sodom offered Abraham rewards from the recovered goods, Abraham refused, saying he wanted nothing that came from that wicked city. Lot's wife saw all of this.

The Danger of Spiritual Association

Growing up in a Christian home or being around godly people is a privilege, but that association doesn't make you a Christian. Your parents' or grandparents' faith cannot save you. To escape spiritual destruction, you must personally follow Jesus Christ - you cannot follow family members or friends to salvation. Lot's wife also witnessed her husband's compromised faith. Though the Bible calls Lot a righteous man, he was "tormented" daily by living among the wicked (2 Peter 2:7-8). Lot knew better but couldn't resist the allure of Sodom. He could have left at any time but chose to stay because he liked it there.

Privileged Revelations

Because of her relationships, Lot's wife learned important truths about God. She was acquainted with deity and knew how to approach God. She was aware that destruction was coming - Abraham had interceded for Sodom, pleading with God to spare it if even ten righteous people could be found there.

She was specifically warned about the coming judgment. The angels told them: "We will destroy this place because the cry of them is waxing great before the face of the Lord" (Genesis 19:13). She knew what was coming and what it would take to escape, but she still would not believe.

Why Don't People Believe Today?

Many people today are like Lot's wife. They know who God is and may even know how to come to Him, but they fail to act on what they know. Knowing about God is not enough - that knowledge must move from the head to the heart.

Logically, anyone with working brain cells can see that this world cannot continue on its current path. We face the possibility of world war, environmental disasters, and countless other threats. Yet many people know judgment is coming but still do not seek Jesus for refuge.

Her Spiritual Problems

Disbelief

Lot's wife's primary problem was disbelief. She looked back because she didn't believe God would do what He said He would do. She thought God was bluffing. Even as she witnessed God's judgment beginning, she still didn't believe it.

The truth is, God isn't bluffing about eternity. We will all face eternity either with Jesus Christ or without Him. Hell will mean eternal separation from God - experiencing forever the agony that Christ experienced on the cross when God the Father turned His back on Him.

Disobedience

She had been commanded not to look back, but something within her caused her to disobey. She was looking back at a lost life, a lost lifestyle, and a lost city.

The destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah wasn't just about sexual sin. According to Ezekiel 16:49-50, their destruction began with pride, which led to gluttony, too much free time, greed, neglect of the poor, and finally sexual perversion. It all started with pride - the determination to do things their way instead of God's way.

Her Spiritual Punishment

Sudden Judgment

When judgment came, it was swift and sure. Lot's wife was almost saved - she may have been just yards from the city of refuge called Zoar, which represents Jesus Christ as our place of salvation and safety. She was reaching for the gate when she stopped and looked back. She was almost persuaded, like King Agrippa, but almost saved is not saved. Church attendance doesn't make you saved, though it does mean you know you should be in church. Church membership will not keep you from judgment.

The Reality of Instant Judgment

We're not guaranteed our next breath. Life can change in an instant. On the day of final judgment, the Lord will say to some, "Depart from me, I never knew you," and it will be over. Lot's wife had refuge within her grasp, but she looked back and her judgment was instant.

Life Application

The story of Lot's wife serves as a sobering reminder that spiritual privileges and knowledge mean nothing without personal faith and obedience. Romans 10:13 promises that "whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

You don't have to clean up your life before coming to Christ - when you call on His name, the Holy Spirit will move into your life and begin that transformation process. The question is: will you choose the joy of salvation or face the judgment of sin?

This week, examine your own spiritual condition honestly. Are you relying on family connections, church attendance, or head knowledge about God? Or have you personally trusted Jesus Christ as your Savior?

Questions for Reflection:

• Am I trusting in my spiritual privileges (family background, church attendance) rather than personal faith in Christ?

• What am I looking back at that might be keeping me from fully following Jesus?

• If judgment came today, am I confident that I have personally called upon the name of the Lord for salvation?

• How can I move from knowing about God to truly knowing God through Jesus Christ?