REMEMBER LOT'S WIFE

By David J. Riggs

Intro.
   A. Jesus issued a short but important command, "Remember Lot's
      wife." Luke 17:32
   B. Why would Jesus command such? What good would it do to
      remember Lot's wife?
      1. Certainly, Jesus was not trying to cause us to remember
         Bible trivia, e.g., "remember the name of Lot's wife." As a
         matter of fact, Lot's wife's name is not given in the Bible.
      2. It goes without saying, Jesus wanted us to learn some very
         important lessons by remembering what God's word teaches
         about Lot's wife. Let's examine some of them.

I. FIRST OF ALL, JESUS SHOWED HIS RECOGNITION OF THE OLD TESTAMENT.
   A. Jesus thought we could profit from learning about O.T. events.
      1. Here are two good passages to memorize. Rom. 15:4; 1 Cor.
         10:11
   B. Some people believe that many of the Bible stories are myths or
      untrue legends.
      1. They would ask, "Do you actually believe that a woman was
         literally turned into a pillar of salt?" 
      2. We answer, "Most certainly, because God's word is truth."
         John 17:17
   C. It is odd that many of the Bible stories they call "myths" are 
      the very ones Jesus endorsed.
      1. Jesus spoke of the flood as fact, and taught lessons from   
         it. Matt. 24:37-39
      2. He did the same regarding Jonah and the whale. Matt. 12:39-
         40
      3. The whole Bible stands or falls together.
         a. If the O.T. stories are untrue legends, Jesus was a false
            teacher, because He spoke of them as true events.

II. REMEMBERING LOT'S WIFE CAUSES US TO THINK ABOUT THE EVENTS       
   SURROUNDING HER LEAVING SODOM WITH HER FAMILY.
   A. The wickedness of Sodom and neighboring cities became so great
      that God decided to destroy them. Gen. 13:13; 18:20-21
      1. Two men who were angels were sent to deliver Lot and his
         family.
      2. The men of Sodom came to Lot's house and demanded that
         he send the two men out to them. Gen. 19:4-5
      3. Lot tries to trade his two daughters for the two angels, but
         the crowd refused and tried to attack Lot. Gen. 19:9-11
      4. The angels described their mission, and Lot tried to warn   
         his sons-in-laws. Gen. 19:12-14
      5. Because they were lingering, the angels took Lot and the
         others by their hands and led them out. Gen. 19:16
      6. Once outside the city, they were given further instructions.
         Gen. 19:17
      7. God rained fire and brimstone on those wicked cities. Gen.
         19:24-25
      8. Lot's wife was disobedient. Gen. 19:26
   B. This events are spoken of in 2 Pet. 2:6-9 and Jude 7.

III. THINKING OF LOT'S WIFE CAUSES US TO CONSIDER THE DANGER OF EVIL 
   COMPANIONSHIPS AND ASSOCIATIONS.
   A. Lot moved to Sodom after a dispute between his herdsmen and
      his uncle Abraham's herdsmen. Gen. 13:8-13
      1. Lot's wife probably didn't look back because of her
         curiosity; that is, because she wanted to see the           
         manifestation of God's wrath on those wicked cities.
      2. No doubt, she had ties and interests in Sodom.
         a. Like the rich young ruler, no doubt she hated to leave
            behind all her worldly possessions.
         b. She probably thought, "If I look back and see that the
            cities aren't really being destroyed, I'll go back to
            Sodom."
         c. Thus, her looking back was a sign of unbelief - doubting
            that God would do what He said He would.
   B. No doubt, Lot's wife had become hardened to the immorality
      around her.
      1. However, Lot wasn't - 2 Pet. 2:8.
         a. When sin no longer torments our souls, we have become
            hardened to it.
      2. I know of a young couple who, when the husband graduated
         from Auburn University, moved to a city for a new job. After
         arriving and getting settled in, they learned that the      
         nearest congregation was one hundred and seventy miles away.
         They did not put "faithful service to God" as a priority.   
         That young couple has since divorced and both have left the 
         faith. They pitched their tent toward Sodom.

IV. OBEDIENCE TO THE WHOLE OF GOD'S WILL IS IMPORTANT.
   A. When God told Lot and his family, "Escape for your life! Do not
      look behind you..." they went out of the city.
      1. They went out and all of them kept going for a time.
      2. Thus, Lot's wife did some of what was commanded.
   B. In today's society, people only want to do part of God's will.
      They like to pick and choose.
      1. In most cases they take a lighthearted view of sin.
      2. Regarding their sin, they reason, "We all make mistakes.
         God's grace will cover our little mistakes."
      3. Regarding following truth, they reason, "Religious error    
         isn't very serious. If God's grace covers our little        
         mistakes, surely it will cover a few minor falsehoods."
      4. Thus, modern man would reason regarding Lot's wife,
         "What harm would looking back do?"
   C. Lot's wife forever testifies that complete adherence to God's  
      will is necessary.

V. LOT'S WIFE SHOULD HAVE REMAINED FAITHFUL EVEN WHEN OTHERS WERE NOT
   WILLING.
   A. The O.T. indicates that Lot and his wife had several daughters 
      - some not married and some married. Gen. 19:8,14
      1. Also, they had a very great household as we have seen from
         Gen. 13:5-6.
   B. Those cities which were destroyed no doubt were large cities.
      1. God would have spared those cities if only ten righteous
         could have been found there. Gen. 18:32
      2. Out of all of these, only three were delivered - Lot, and   
         two of his daughters.
   C. An important lesson here is that we must always do the will of
      God regardless of who else does.
      1. If half the city had gone out with them, Lot's wife probably
         would have done well.
      2. Even though no one else seems to be wanting to do God's
         will, we must have the faith and courage to obey ourselves.

VI. THERE ARE SEVERE CONSEQUENCES FOR DISREGARDING GOD'S COMMANDS.
   A. For her disobedience, God turned Lot's wife into a pillar of   
      salt.
   B. Consider the consequences for disobeying God. God said:
      1. "Don't eat" - Adam and Eve. Gen. 2:16-17; 3:23-24
      2. "Don't touch" - Uzzah - Num. 4:15; 2 Sam. 6:6-7
      3. "Don't forsake" - Heb. 10:25-27
      4. We like to think that we can sin and still get by. We can't.
   C. God is severe. He is to be feared and reverenced. Heb. 10:28-31
      1. Consider the solemn warning of Jesus. Luke 12:4-5

VII. GOD, THROUGH HIS MERCY, PROVIDES A WAY OF ESCAPE.
   A. God was merciful to Lot and his family. Gen. 19:16
      1. Lot's wife should have taken advantage of the blessing. All
         she needed to do was to obey God.
   B. God is merciful to all today. He provides a way of escape from
      the wrath to come.
      1. Let us not have a hardened or impenitent heart. Rom. 2:4-5

VIII. KEEP DILIGENTLY PRESSING TOWARD THE GOAL.
   A. Lot's wife should have kept her eyes straight forward. She took
      her eyes off the goal and looked back.
   B. Don't look back and become entangled again in the world of sin.
      Luke 9:62; 2 Pet. 2:20-22
      1. The children of Israel were constantly looking back to      
         Egypt. Num. 14:2-4
      2. Many of Jesus' disciples went back and no longer walked
         with Him. John 6:66-69
      3. Some go back into error. Gal. 4:9
   C. We need to diligently press toward the goal. Phil. 3:13-14
      1. We need to always be "looking unto Jesus, the author and
         finisher of our faith." Heb. 12:1-2

Concl.
   A. Remember Lot's wife.
      1. She perished even though she was the wife of a righteous
         man, was warned of the danger, and did some of what was
         commanded.
   B. Just like Lot's wife, God has given us warnings. Heb. 2:1-3a
      1. Let us be diligent in doing all that God has commanded us.
   C. This old world (figuratively, Sodom and Gomorrah) is not our
      friend.
      1. Let us escape the world of sin and never look back.

Chart:
"Remember Lot's Wife"
                
Jesus showed His recognition of the Old Testament.

Remember the events surrounding her leaving Sodom.

The danger of evil companionships and associations.

Obedience to the whole of God's will is important.

We must remain faithful even though others are not willing.

There are severe consequences for disregarding God's commands.

God, through His mercy, provides a way of escape.

Keep diligently pressing toward the goal.