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Remember Lot?s Wife by Rickey Shive
Genesis|Luke 19|17:1|20-19|17:38|32
Open: Luke 17:20-32
Jesus, naturally, was the greatest Biblical scholar and teacher the world has ever known! Here in Luke 17, Jesus is well along in His ministry.
You might say that the Pharisees were on to Him! They were between the proverbial rock and hard spot. They couldnt just dismiss Jesus
as a fanatic for He had too large a following and His knowledge of the Scripture was unprecedented. In this particular encounter, the Pharisees
were demanding a miraculous sign as to when this kingdom was coming. In this discourse, Jesus explains to them that the kingdom is not
coming with signs (cf. vs. 20). Jesus then goes into a discourse regarding His last days. In doing so, He reminds His disciples of a couple Old
Testament tragedies - days of Noah and days of Lot. What really stands out to me in this discourse are the 3 words spoken by Christ in vs.
32:
"Remember Lots Wife!"
Why would Jesus admonish His disciples (and us today) to remember Lots wife? After all, we dont even know her name. There must be a
powerful lesson for us hidden somewhere in Genesis 19. Lets take a look!
Historical Background:
Chapter 11 & 12 (Genesis), we find Abram is told to leave Ur, to a land God will show him - 12:4 tells us that Lot tagged along. Were not told
if Lot had a wife at this point, but if he did, we must assume that she too left Ur with her husband.
Chapter 13, the success of the families of Lot & Abraham cause strife among their herdsmen & the ultimate split between the two of them. Lot
chooses the Jordan valley and leaves Abraham with the less desirable desert hills of Canaan. Key here is this:
- First Lot located his family in the fertile Jordan valley
- Later (vs. 12) he moved his tents as far as Sodom (he kept creeping closer & closer)
- By chapter 19, Lot had traded in his tents for a townhouse!
Chapter 14, the five southern kings in the Sodom region, who had been serving the four northern kings, rebel. It would appear they (southern
kings) try to cut off the kings highway (trade route). The four northern kings come down to squash the rebellion, and capture Lot in the
process. Abraham learns of Lots capture, goes up on the opposite side of the Jordan, catches them in the northern Jordan region (around
Damascus), defeats them and rescues Lot.
Chapters 15-17, we dont hear much about Lot, these chapters deal with the maturing faith of Abraham and Sarah, providing also more details
regarding the covenant. By chapter 17, 24 years have expired since Abraham left Haran - plenty of time for Lot and family to establish roots
in Sodom.
Chapter 18, God and two angels appear to Abraham as three men. They have two primary purposes:
1. To convince Sarah that she indeed would bare a son.
2. Tell Abraham of the outcry from Sodom & of His plans to investigate.
The City of Sodom:
Thought to have been located on the SE side of the Dead Sea. One of the cities of the valley (cf. Gen 13:12; 19:29) which also included
Gomorrah, Zoar, Admah & Zeboiim (cf. Gen 19:22-24; Deut 29:23).
When you hear the name Sodom what comes to mind?
Sodom was a cesspool of unspeakable immorality and abominations. Note Jude 7.
Sodoms wickedness and subsequent destruction was so renowned it was commonplace for Sodom to be used as a comparison for the
sinfulness of Israel and other nations (cf. Ezek. 16:49-50; Deut. 32:32; Is. 1:10; Jer. 23:14).
The memory of their destruction provide a picture of Gods judgment (Is. 13:10; Jer. 49:18; Matt. 10:14-15; 11:23-24) and made them an
example to be avoided (Deut. 29:23-25; 2 Pet 2:6).
Perhaps the clearest picture of Sodoms sinfulness is found in the text of our lesson.
Before we focus on Lots wife, let us look at the story itself:
The Story Begins: (Gen 19) (Read the text one verse at a time and make the following comments):
Vs. 1
Lot was sitting in the gate. Elders/judges of a city sat at the gate. Here, they conducted business and legal issues were settled.
Lot, apparently, was a leader in the city.
Vs. 2
The verse give us our first clue regarding the wicked condition of the city and Lots knowledge of it.
It was customary for travelers to spend the night in the city square (an enlarged area just within the city gate, it served as a market place,
etc.).
Their suggestion to sleep in the square was simply customary (these heavenly beings posing as men simply wanted to fit their part as
travelers).
Vs. 3
Why did Lot strongly urge these strangers not to sleep in the square, rather to spend the night with him?
I believe Lot feared for their safety! I think he was well aware of the wicked condition of the city and had probably witnessed attacks on other
travelers who slept in the square.
Vs. 4
The phraseology is clear - young and old, all the people from every quarter. It expresses the enormity of the present condition of sin and
immorality in the city! If Lot had hoped his guests had entered his home unnoticed, he was wrong. As sick as it may seem, the men of the city
were on the look-out for strangers! The rape and sexual abuse of strangers was probably common. Perhaps the outcry of 18:20 were prayers
from abused travelers whove been raped while passing through Sodom?
Vs. 5
Their intentions are very clear! Sin and immorality was so rampant in Sodom, there was no reason to be discreet! (cf. Is. 3:8-9).
Vs. 6-8
The compromise Lot offers up is unimaginable!
Christ admonished us to Remember Lots wife - intending for us to learn from her mistakes and weaknesses. The key lessons we can learn
from Lots wife are yet to come in our study; however, at this point in our text, I have to wonder, where is Lots wife during this unbelievable
offer?
Vs. 9-13
The situation becomes critical, God intercedes!
Vs. 14
Why didnt Lots family take him seriously?
Perhaps Lot had never mentioned his faith in God before. Perhaps Lots words were of no reputation, for his family wasnt accustomed to
hearing him denounce sin and wickedness in the city.
At this point in our text, we are starting to develop clearer pictures in our minds regarding this story:
Its very clear that the sinful lusts of this city were rampant! It is nothing more than a cesspool of immorality at its worst. Any relationship
between God and the family of Lot is at best suspect! After all, ten righteous men couldnt be found within the city, and I believe this to
include Lots household. What about Lots wife? With a good feel for the situation, I think we can now start looking for reasons to remember
Lots wife.
Lesson #1 Remember Lots wife - It really is important regarding who you hang around with (vs. 15-16):
How many righteous people were living in Sodom?
Do you think Mrs. Lots friends and acquaintances were a good influence on her? Lot & family had to be dragged out of the city by the arm.
Why?
Perhaps 20 years of hanging around worldly people had weakened her faith. Maybe she just didnt believe all this was happening.
Lesson #2 Remember Lots wife - No matter how trivial one might think a commandment from God is, we have to take God seriously (vs. 17)
We know how the story ends here (well get to it later), Mrs. Lot will disobey God and look back. We could speculate as to why, but bottom
line, God said dont do it! God has been very specific regarding how we are to live and the things we are to do today:
- Is God serious about attending worship? (Heb 10:25)
- Is God serious about prayer? (1 Thes. 5:17)
- Is God serious about our priorities? (Matt. 6:33)
- Is God serious about evangelism? (Mark 16:15)
- Is God serious about our disposition? (2 Tim 2:22-25)
What did Christ say? Remember Lots wife! Perhaps the most obvious thing we see when we remember Lots wife is that she didnt do what
God said! Even our children, who have learned this story, can recognize this point. We have to take God seriously. Hes also serious about
how we get to heaven.
- Hes serious about belief. (Mk. 16:16)
- Hes serious about repentance. (Acts 2:38)
- Hes serious about confession. (Rom. 10: 9-10)
- Hes serious about baptism. (Acts 2:38; 1 Pet. 3:21)
Back to the Story (vs. 18-26)
Lesson #3 Remember Lots Wife - The world can get a death grip on you (vs. 24).
Notice where Lots wife was when she looked back! Our English translation says she was behind him. The word behind is translated from the
Hebrew "achar" which means away from, back, it suggests some distance.
Mrs. Lot not only had to be pulled out of the city, she also lingered behind the fleeing party. Why?
- perhaps she was concerned about her friends
- perhaps she hated to leave her home
- perhaps her heart was in Sodom
Simply, the world had a death grip on Mrs. Lots heart!
There are many things in the world today that get a hold on us! Some allow very offensive vices to rule their life:
- drugs
- alcohol
- pornography
- the love of money
Others allow more subtle things to consume them (recreational activities):
- golf
- ball games
- fishing
Is there yet another way Satan can attack the very core of the church by consuming us? Not with these very offensive vices or even the
recreational pull - what about a mentality of indifference? What about lukewarmness and complacency, can this mindset also have a death
grip on us today?
Back to the Story (vs. 25-30)
Lesson #4 Remember Lots Wife - Your lifestyle can influence your kids (vs. 31-38).
Look at vs. 31-32 again. I is hard for us to conceptualize such an act. Why would these young ladies (seeming from a Godly home) devise this
incestuous plan? I think it was a direct reflection of the lifestyle their parents were living. We dont know specifically how Lot and Mrs. Lot
lived their life, the text just doesnt tell us. Lets give them the benefit of doubt - lets say they werent actually participating in the immorality
of the city. I suggest to you that by just living there they subtly condoned it! By just living in such a Godless environment, with influence and
immoral learning all around them, I believe Lots daughters learned too much!
If we put God first in our lives that means going to church every time the doors are open. It means being active in Gods Kingdom. It means
attending church functions, putting God before the world. By example, we lead Godly lives and in doing so, perhaps our kids will. If we fuss,
fight and argue at home, what will our kids grow up doing? If we never pray, study, or talk about Jesus at home, what will our kids grow up
doing? If we only go to church once a week, never evangelize, never get involved, what will our kids grow up doing?
Conclusion:
What did Christ say? Remember Lots Wife!
Of whom we choose to hang around with really is important. We have to take all of Gods commandments seriously. I dont think Hes
kidding! The world can get a death grip on us! Our lifestyle can have a direct impact on the people around us. Especially our kids!
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