Scripture reading: Genesis 19:1–26

A Lot to Remember

Remember Lot’s wife. (Luke 17:32)

How can one explain our culture’s sudden endorsement of homosexuality? It was only a few years ago that homosexual behavior was called “sodomy” and those involved felt guilt and shame. Even the American Psychiatric Association until 1973 deemed homosexuality a mental disorder. How things have changed! The “gay lifestyle” is not only now condoned but is also promoted as a healthy form of self-expression. It is those who oppose homosexual practice who are now considered I n need of therapy. And acceptance of what was once unacceptable is not just happening outside the church. Many churches today refuse to call homosexual behavior sinful, and some openly bless same-sex “marriages” and ordain practicing homosexuals into the ministry! How did this happen?

Perhaps the best explanation to account for the normalization of sin is that we suffer from spiritual amnesia. Jesus explicitly told us to remember Lot’s wife (Luke 17:32). But most people today don’t have a memory of this Bible story at all. They raise their eyebrows and ask, “Who’s Lot’s wife?” We have forgotten to remember. The tragic story of Mrs. Lot is found in Genesis 12–19. God’s judgment fell upon her and she was turned into a pillar of salt. Her fate was intended to be a reminder down through the centuries of the dangerous slippery slope that leads from godliness to godlessness, from blessing to judgment, from life to death. The story of Lot and his wife is a graphic portrayal of the sequential downward steps into sin that lead inevitably to destruction. When Jesus told us to remember Lot’s wife, he wanted us to remember the downward path she took so that we could avoid her catastrophic fate.

Looking. Lot lifted up his eyes and saw that the Jordan Valley was well watered everywhere . . . like Egypt (Gen. 13:10). Abraham allowed his nephew Lot to choose where he would settle. He and his wife chose the lush area around Sodom. The path toward moral depravity always begins with the lustful look (Gen. 3:6).

Considering. Lot settled among the cities of the valley and moved his tent as far as Sodom. Now the men of Sodom were wicked, great sinners against the Lord (Gen. 13:12–13). Mr. and Mrs. Lot naively assumed they could live in proximity to sin without being infected by its corruption.

Condoning. The third step on the downward path was taken when Lot and his family moved into Sodom (Gen. 14:12). As citizens of Sin City, they gave tacit approval to sodomite behavior even though they themselves did not participate.

Endorsing. Lot was sitting in the gate of Sodom (Gen. 19:1). In Old Testament times, the city gate was the administrative and judicial center for civic affairs. Apparently, Lot had become a member of Sodom’s ruling council and a respected leader in this wicked city.

Identifying. The Lord warned Lot that judgment was about to fall on Sodom and told him to flee for safety. But his wife found it so difficult to leave her beloved city that she “looked back” (Gen. 19:26). So God turned her into a pillar of salt. Sodom had become her home and her identity. She could not (would not) give that up! God’s only recourse was judgment.

Dear friends, don’t forget to remember Lot’s wife!

God created us in his image, male and female, with personhood and
sexual passions, so that when he comes to us in this world there would be these powerful words and images to describe the promises and the pleasures of our covenant relationship with him through Christ.  —John Piper

point to ponder • Have you forgotten to remember?

prayer focus • New eyes to see and new ears to hear for those who promote the homosexual agenda.