Luke 17:26-33 (NKJV)
"REMEMBER LOT’S WIFE"
November 16, 2025
As Luke 17 opens, Jesus has just been asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God will come. His answer is to warn them to be ready for the coming of the “Son of Man” is like a flash of lightning that instantly lights the sky. It is compared to the coming of the flood in Noah's Day, and to the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah in Lot’s Day. Those who hear are warned to be ready to go when the Lord comes, and they are warned against turning back for anything. Then, in the midst of His teaching, the Lord tells those listening to Him that they should "Remember Lot's Wife." Nowhere in the Bible are we told to remember Abraham, Isaac or Jacob. We are not commanded to remember Ruth or Rahab, David or Joshua, but we are commanded to remember Lot's wife! We are told to awaken our sluggish memories and look back to the death of one soul who passed through this world, lived in sin and died in disgrace. We are told to remember Lot's wife. Genesis 19:1-26 holds the account and what is there to remember? She was married to Lot, and she lived in Sodom. Before God's judgment came on Sodom and Gomorrah, she, along with her husband and two unmarried daughters were forced from the city. They were all commanded not to look behind them as they fled, but she disobeyed and was instantly judged, killed and transformed into a pillar of salt. That is what we know, but when we study her story, we can learn even more about her, how she lived and why she died like she did. Evidently, there are some lessons that can be learned from Lot's wife. Our assignment from the Lord is that we remember her. Let me just say that there is a message here for both saint and sinners. There is a word here for both the saved and the lost. I want to consider Lot's Wife and her spiritual condition this morning. There are three areas of her spiritual life that need to be remembered.
I. HER PRIVILEGES - She Was Privileged in Her Relationships - She was privileged to be married into the only family on the earth that was serving the one true God. Her Uncle, Abraham, is considered to be the Father of the Faith because he believed God and it was counted to him as righteousness. As her husband Lot was Abraham’s nephew, she was in a privileged position and yet she squandered her privilege in the Lord. She Was also Privileged in Her Revelations - Because of her relationship with family of God, she learned a few things about God. God had even graced her by sending angels to warn her and her family of the impending doom. Still, she refused to flee from the wrath of God and the history records that because “they lingered” the Angels had to take them by the hand and lead them out of the city! It carries the idea that they were lagging far behind and dragging their feet to leave. She knew the will of God, but it didn't phase her! She Was Privileged in Her Responsibility - Here is a woman who knew the facts and was given every opportunity to act upon them. She was given the chance to change, the chance to believe, the chance to be saved. Yet, she squandered those chances and died without God.
II. HER PROBLEMS - For thousands of years men have wondered why this woman looked back. There are three spiritual problems that Lot's wife had in her life. These are revealed in this passage, and they answer this question. She had a Problem with Disbelief - She looked back because she did not believe that God would do what He said He would do! She thought He was bluffing! God said that if you look back you will be destroyed! She had a Problem with Disobedience - She, along with all the others, had been commanded not to look back. But there was something within her that caused her to turn back toward Sodom. The problem with Lot's wife was that she had her eyes on all the wrong things. She was looking back at a lost life, a lost lifestyle and a lost city. Jesus asked What does a man profit, if he gain the whole world and lose his soul? She had a Problem with Deception - She probably had everyone in the family fooled! They probably thought that she was a believer in the God of Abraham. She had everyone fooled but God! The problem with Lot's wife is the problem with many people today, they have merely made a profession of the mouth, but they have never truly Placed their Trust in Jesus Christ! She proved what she was when she looked back! You see, her body had left Sodom, but her heart was still there. Back in the 80’s The O’Jays would sing a song, “Your Body's Here with Me (But Your Mind's on the Other Side of Town)” They said, “You’re messin’ me around.” My God is a jealous God and He will not be second to anything in your life!
III. HER PUNISHMENT - It Was Sudden - When judgement came, it was swift and sure. You may walk in sin for years, but one day judgement will surely come. One day, time will run out! There will be no more opportunities and no more calls to repentance, Genesis 6:3 The Lord said, "My Spirit shall not strive* with man forever! There will be nothing but judgement swift and sure! Family, I beg you to flee the wrath of God! Jesus said it will be like the days of Noah and the days of Lot! Her Punishment Was Serious - The Bible says that she became a pillar of salt. Instantly, the judgement of God fell on her and she perished and was swallowed up in the wrath of God. The Hebrew writer reminds us that, “The day we hear His voice, harden not our hearts.” If you die without Jesus, your judgement will be swift and sure! Jesus said Fear not them which kill the body, but rather fear Him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell! Her Punishment Was Settled - For Lot's wife there would be no pardons, no second chances and no hope. She was gone and lost forever. The time to prepare for the next world is today, God said, “behold, now is the acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” When time runs out on you, there will be no opportunities after death. There will be no pardons and no paroles. There will be nothing for you but justice and judgement. Your sentence will be settled forever. However, there is grace today if you will but put your trust in Jesus. The Apostle teaches, “But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved).” How do you receive this grace? Trust that Jesus died and rose again to wash your sin away.
