In Remembrance of Lot’s Wife
We are acquainted with the sad story of Sodom and Gomorrah. We have envisioned the flight and Mrs. Lot’s adoring last-look, the consequence of which led to her salty ruin. We have heard the sermons on repentance and the dangers associated with ‘looking back’ towards our sinful, paralyzing ways. The message we may not have heard is how the death could have been prevented.
Escape to the Mountains
In this passage we discover some incredible attributes about our Father that are repeated throughout scripture. The first is that Father God always knows best. We know that, right? When God says ‘go’ we go! We don’t need any explanations as to why His way is the best way, we just obey. Oh, if that were only the truth.
The other certainty is that God will not cart away our options—choice is the staple of faith after all. However God does tell Lot that the mountains are the best choice. Lot objects and requests an exodus to nearby Zoar, momentarily believing that he knows better than God. That decision ends up costing Mrs. Lot her life.
What God Knew That Lot Did Not
God knew Lot and God knew Lot’s wife. God knew that Lot was drawn to the city on whose outskirts he once encamped. God knew that Lot became entranced by city life and that Lot’s family was equally, if not more captivated by the lifestyle. God knew that Lot’s wife was so enamored that if she were to leave her heart would ache. God knew Lot’s wife would look back. God knew her only protection was the obscured view only a mountain could afford.
But his wife looked back behind him, and she became a pillar of salt. Genesis 19:26
As husbands, as fathers, or as caregivers, we can point a damning finger at Lot’s wife, declaring that she alone is responsible for her fate, but to do so is to have missed the point. This pillar of salt is truly a testimony to Lot’s disobedience as much as it is to his wife’s sinful fascination. God gave Lot an opportunity to cover his family and Lot chose poorly–an extreme example so that we might not do likewise.
He Dwells -- The B'log in My Eye 