Remember Lot’s Wife

Sometime in 2024
By B312

The command of Jesus to “Remember Lot’s wife” (Luke 17:32) is more than just a historical reference; it is a timeless warning about the dangers of disobedience, attachment to worldly things, and the necessity of unwavering faithfulness to God’s commands. Lot’s wife serves as a cautionary figure, illustrating the consequences of failing to fully trust and obey God.

This passage reminds me of someone I know who, whenever faced with the choice between staying with her blood relatives or forging a new path with her husband—the family she vowed to build—always prioritized her relatives, often to the detriment of her marriage. Her inability to leave her comfort zone, her deep-seated reliance on the familiar, coupled with their unhealthy influence, has pushed her marriage to the brink of collapse, straining the very foundation of the home she was meant to nurture. Tragically, she remains blind to the destruction she is causing, unable to see how clinging to the past is eroding the future God intended for her. Just like Lot’s wife, she struggles to let go of the past, even when it is leading her away from where she should be.

Who Was Lot’s Wife?

The Bible does not reveal Lot’s wife’s name or personal background. Her story is mainly recorded in Genesis 19, during the account of the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. She was the wife of Lot, Abraham’s nephew, and lived in Sodom, a city marked by extreme wickedness and moral corruption. Though her origins are unknown, her fate is one of the most memorable and sobering warnings in Scripture.

The Challenge of Not Looking Back

Emotional Attachment to the Past

Lot’s wife’s fateful decision to look back at Sodom reveals a deeper struggle—an emotional attachment to her past. She was not simply curious; her heart remained tied to the city she was leaving behind. This act represents the human tendency to cling to familiar comforts, possessions, and lifestyles, even when they stand in opposition to God’s will.

The Struggle to Let Go

Lot and his family had lived in Sodom, a city known for its prosperity despite its deep moral corruption. The Bible describes Lot as a man of means, as he and Abraham had amassed wealth and possessions that eventually led them to separate (Genesis 13:5-11). Lot’s wife, accustomed to the comforts and social familiarity of Sodom, found it difficult to leave behind the life she knew.

Beyond material attachments, she likely had deep emotional ties to the city, particularly to family members who remained behind. Genesis 19:14 suggests that Lot’s sons-in-law refused to leave, meaning some of her relatives were left behind in the doomed city. Her inability to resist looking back was not just about longing for material wealth, but also the pain of leaving loved ones behind—even though they were part of the very wickedness God was judging. This internal conflict between obedience to God and attachment to the past ultimately led to her downfall.

Disobedience to God’s Command

Before Sodom’s destruction, the angels explicitly commanded Lot’s family not to look back (Genesis 19:17). Despite witnessing divine intervention firsthand—an angelic warning, a miraculous escape, and even the raining fire and brimstone—Lot’s wife still disobeyed. Her actions reflect a lack of complete trust in God’s deliverance, an unwillingness to fully let go of her former life, and a hesitation to embrace the new path God was leading her on.

Lot’s Righteousness vs. His Wife’s Fate

Individual Accountability Before God

Although Lot is described as a righteous man (2 Peter 2:7-8), his righteousness could not save his wife. This contrast emphasizes a crucial biblical principle: salvation is an individual matter. Each person must respond to God’s call personally, as no one can rely on another’s faith to secure their own standing before God. Lot’s obedience ensured his escape, but his wife’s disobedience led to her destruction.

Faith Cannot Be Borrowed

Lot’s wife’s fate serves as a reminder that faith is not something we inherit or rely on through others. Even though she was married to a man considered righteous, she faced judgment for her own choices. This highlights that no one is exempt from personal responsibility in their faith and obedience to God.

Key Lessons from Lot’s Wife

1. The Importance of Obedience and Faith

The primary lesson from Lot’s wife is the necessity of unwavering obedience to God. Faith is not just belief—it is demonstrated through action. When God calls us to move forward, hesitation or longing for the past can lead to spiritual ruin.

2. The Danger of Worldly Attachments

Lot’s wife looked back because she was still tied to her former life. Jesus referenced her as a warning against being too attached to worldly possessions, ambitions, and sinful pleasures (Luke 17:31-32). If our hearts are divided between God and the world, we risk missing out on His promises.

3. The Urgency of God’s Salvation

The destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah and Lot’s family’s escape illustrate the urgency of responding to God’s call. There is no room for hesitation or second-guessing when God offers salvation. Those who delay or look back may find themselves left behind, much like Lot’s wife.

4. Personal Responsibility in Following God

Lot’s wife reminds us that each person is accountable for their response to God’s commands. Being part of a believing family or community is not enough; our faith must be personal and active.

5. The Stubbornness of the Human Heart

Despite supernatural warnings, Lot’s wife still chose to look back. This reveals the human tendency to resist God’s will, even in the face of undeniable truth. Jesus’ warning to “Remember Lot’s wife” is a reminder of our own propensity to rebel, hesitate, or act unrepentantly, even when we have experienced God’s power in our lives.

A Final Warning and Encouragement

Jesus’ call to remember Lot’s wife is not just about her tragic end—it is a challenge to examine our own hearts. Are we still holding on to things that God has called us to leave behind? Are we moving forward in faith, or do we keep looking back with hesitation and regret?

Lot’s wife stands as a solemn warning of what happens when we fail to fully commit to God. Her story urges us to let go of the world, trust in God’s deliverance, and press forward toward His promises. As believers, we must fix our eyes on Christ and refuse to turn back to a world that is passing away.