Thoughts on Lot's Wife

Lot’s wife (Genesis 19)

Her husband had chosen to live in a wealthy fertile land, but a land filled with evil, so wicked that the Lord couldn’t find any righteous men other than Lot. What a place to raise their two daughters. Especially in that city. Had Lot and his family grown accustomed to the sin around them? I think about what’s streamed into our homes on our screens. Day after day we are bombarded by some pretty sinful messages through the media. Have I also become jaded over sin that should turn my stomach?

Lot invited strangers into his home without consulting Mrs. Lot (since we don’t have her name), so she must have been accustomed to being a hostess on the spot—something I’m terrible at! I wonder what horror Mrs. Lot felt as raucous men surrounded her house demanding to have their way with their guests who were actually angels sent from God. The crowd became such a riot that Lot offered their daughters to pacify them, although the men did not accept the offer. Can’t say I would have gone along with the husband on that one either.

The night must have been terrifying. Imagine the raucous noise as the angels dragged them from the city after blinding the men who were beating down the door.
“Flee for your lives. Don’t look back, and don’t stop anywhere in the plain.” These were the angels’ instructions before God rained burning sulfur down on Lot's former home.
If I imagine a volcano spewing down on the city where I live and running for my life, my heart thumps a little harder. What would I feel in Mrs. Lot’s place? Did she remember something she really wanted to bring along? Some treasured possession? Was she just wanting to see what was happening? Would I have looked back? Oh how curious I can be, like a rubbernecker at an accident. I’m afraid I might have been like Lot’s wife, but I’m praying now that I follow His instructions instead!

Whether from curiosity or sadness for losing everything in her home, Lot’s wife chose to look back, and in the end, lost her life because of it.
Jesus mentioned Lot in the New Testament book of Luke, Chapter 17. He’s talking about the coming kingdom.

Verse 30-32 “It will be just like this on the day the Son of Man is revealed. On that day no one who is on the housetop, with possessions inside, should go down to get them. Likewise, no one in the field should go back for anything. Remember Lot’s wife!

Maybe she did want to go back for some possession after all? I don’t know, but I ask God now, please don’t let me be like Lot’s wife! Let me keep my focus ahead, not behind, and keep my mind on what’s truly important.
 
What are your thoughts?

Blessings,
​
Janet