“But his wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt.” (Genesis 19:26)

Lot’s wife is mentioned very little in the Scriptures. However, she stands as a powerful witness to God’s Children:

“Remember Lot’s wife.” (Luke 17:32)

“Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it.” (Luke 17:33)

This Scripture has had many interpretations given by expositors of the Bible. But there are several facts concerning Lot’s wife that cannot be denied:

1. Lot’s wife was delivered from Sodom, so she was righteous; for only the Just, or Justified, or the Righteous in God were to be delivered from the judgment of Sodom and Gomorrah (2 Peter 3:7-9).
2. Lot’s wife did not obey God’s Commandment of once she was delivered from Sodom, “look not behind thee” (Genesis 19:17). See Genesis 19:26a, “But his wife looked back.”
3. Lot’s wife received judgment in the form of physical death; “and she became a pillar of salt” (Genesis 19:26b).
4. Christ used the example of Lot’s wife to warn the Children of God living in the days of Jesus Christ, prior to the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D. “Remember Lot’s wife” (Luke 17:32).

The question to be answered is this – Why did Christ use Lot’s wife in reference to the action of God’s people, “when the Son of man is revealed” (Luke 17:30b)?

Christ was instructing His people of the signs of the time of His Revelation. Christ used three examples of the sinful condition that would be prevalent in the Day of His Revelation (or of His Second Coming to earth in Power and Glory).

Begin with Luke 17:22:

“And he said unto the disciples, The days will come, when ye shall desire to see one of the days of the Son of man, and ye shall not see it.” (Luke 17:22)

“But first must he suffer many things, and be rejected of this generation.” (Luke 17:25)

Then Christ used the days of Noah:

“And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man.” (Luke 17:26)

“They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all.” (Luke 17:27)

Then Christ used the days of Lot:

“Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded;” (Luke 17:28)

“But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all.” (Luke 17:29)

Then Christ told them what they were to do in that day that the Son of Man would be revealed:

“In that day, he which shall be upon the housetop, and his stuff in the house, let him not come down to take it away: and he that is in the field, let him likewise not return back.” (Luke 17:31)

The key phrase is “let him likewise not return back.”

“Remember Lot’s wife” (Luke 17:32). She looked back; and she was turned into a pillar of salt.

Not only did Christ say, first I have to be crucified; but second, people are going to be in rank sin, and very busy people, not even considering that soon the Judgment would come.

Then in the next verse, Christ gives the answer to His examples of what he was teaching:

“Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it.” (Luke 17:33)

Those who “seek to save his life” are those who love the flesh more that the Spirit. They are those who are involved more in the ‘affairs of this world,’ that in the Kingdom of God. They are sight walkers, and not faith walkers. They are those who are ‘wilderness dwellers,’ as were the Children of Israel who refused to cross Jordan and receive their inheritance in the Land of Promise. The truth is, if you are in love with this world more than with God’s World – you shall be judged and lose your temporal life.

On the other hand, “whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it.” That is, those who walk by faith (Galatians 2:20; Hebrews 11:6, 24-27):

“By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter;” (Hebrews 11:24)

“Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;” (Hebrews 11:25)

“Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.” (Hebrews 11:26)

“By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.” (Hebrews 11:27)

These verses show that this physical life and all its wealth, fame, etc. mean nothing in light of serving God and carrying out His Will.

Therefore, those who lose their life are those who serve Christ rather than the flesh. They know that they are strangers and pilgrims in this world. The world they are seeking is a heavenly country; not this world, but the Presence of God. These then preserve their lives, as did Lot and his two daughters; but not his wife, for she looked back.

In applying this to your life today – examine yourself. Are you looking up and forward; to surrender, submit, and obey the Will of God, as revealed to you?

Lot’s wife knew exactly what she was to do. But, she had her first love in Sodom, which included her children, her house, her wealth, etc.

What she did not understand is:

1. Moths and rust corrupt things of this earth.
2. The things of this earth perish.
3. You cannot take one penny into eternity when you die. (See Matthew 6:19-21; 16:25-27; Luke 9:23-27.)

Are you looking back at this world?

Take heed if you are looking back, “Remember Lot’s wife.” (Read Hebrews 10:29; 1 John 5:16.)