Lot Leaves Sodom And The Cities Are Destroyed

Genesis 19:12–26
» View this passage in NIV (Bible Gateway)

The scene intensifies as the angles instruct Lot to go out into the night and warn his children that Sodom is going to be destroyed (vv. 12-13). Whatever may have been Lot’s faults, lack of courage was not one of them. One moment he almost loses his life on his front doorstep, the next he is back out in the city streets visiting the houses of his children in various parts of the town and telling them about the coming doom. However, as he ran from house to house to awake his children his years of backsliding caught up with him. “But he seemed as one that mocked unto his sons in law” (v.14). The sons in law said, “The old man’s crazy!”

Attention is drawn to Lot’s weak will (vv.15-23). Early in the morning the angels had to literally drag Lot from the city. “And while he lingered, the men laid hold upon his hand, and upon the hand of his wife and upon the hand of his two daughters; the Lord being merciful unto him: and they brought him forth, and set him without the city” (v. 16). Just picture Lot trying to find his check book, his wife sorting out her jewelry and the daughters wanting to get suitably dressed. It is incredible how dull a backslidden person becomes to spiritual truth.

Instantly judgment fell as fire and brimstone come hurtling down from on high, Hail rained down from Heaven, and the cry of a lost city arose to the sky (vv. 24-25). Once they reached the edge of the city Lot’s wife looked back (even though she was warned not to) (v.17) and was turned into a pillar of salt (v.26). One commentator says this was a steadfast, earnest look, a wistful look, a lingering, hankering look. This is a moment in history that is recorded as a warning to us all. “Remember Lot’s wife” (Luke 17:32).

Application

Lots wife looked back at the smouldering city of Sodom. I can see how easy it is to be looking back longingly. Jesus issued a warning, “No one can serve two masters.” (Matthew 6:24)