Open: Luke 17:20-32
Jesus, naturally, was the greatest Biblical scholar and teacher the world has ever known! Here in Luke 17, Jesus is well along in His ministry. You might say that the Pharisees were “on to Him!” They were between the proverbial “rock and hard spot.” They couldn’t just dismiss Jesus as a fanatic for He had too large a following and His knowledge of the Scripture was unprecedented. In this particular encounter, the Pharisees were demanding a miraculous sign as to when this “kingdom” was coming. In this discourse, Jesus explains to them that the kingdom is not coming with signs (cf. vs. 20). Jesus then goes into a discourse regarding His last days. In doing so, He reminds His disciples of a couple Old Testament “tragedies” - days of Noah and days of Lot. What really stands out to me in this discourse are the 3 words spoken by Christ in vs. 32:
"Remember Lot’s Wife!"
Why would Jesus admonish His disciples (and us today) to remember Lot’s wife? After all, we don’t even know her name. There must be a powerful lesson for us hidden somewhere in Genesis 19. Let’s take a look!
Historical Background:
Chapter 11 & 12 (Genesis), we find Abram is told to leave Ur, to a land God will show him - 12:4 tells us that Lot tagged along. We’re not told if Lot had a wife at this point, but if he did, we must assume that she too left Ur with her husband.
Chapter 13, the success of the families of Lot & Abraham cause strife among their herdsmen & the ultimate split between the two of them. Lot chooses the Jordan valley and leaves Abraham with the less desirable desert hills of Canaan. Key here is this:
- First Lot located his family in the fertile Jordan valley
- Later (vs. 12) he moved his tents as far as Sodom (he kept creeping closer & closer)
- By chapter 19, Lot had traded in his tents for a townhouse!
Chapter 14, the five southern kings in the Sodom region, who had been serving the four northern kings, rebel. It would appear they (southern kings) try to cut off the “kings highway” (trade route). The four northern kings come down to squash the rebellion, and capture Lot in the process. Abraham learns of Lot’s capture, goes up on the opposite side of the Jordan, catches them in the northern Jordan region (around Damascus), defeats them and rescues Lot.
Chapters 15-17, we don’t hear much about Lot, these chapters deal with the maturing faith of Abraham and Sarah, providing also more details regarding the covenant. By chapter 17, 24 years have expired since Abraham left Haran - plenty of time for Lot and family to establish roots in Sodom.
Chapter 18, God and two angels appear to Abraham as three men. They have two primary purposes:
1. To convince Sarah that she indeed would bare a son.
2. Tell Abraham of the outcry from Sodom & of His plans to investigate.
The City of Sodom:
Thought to have been located on the SE side of the Dead Sea. One of the “cities of the valley” (cf. Gen 13:12; 19:29) which also included Gomorrah, Zoar, Admah & Zeboiim (cf. Gen 19:22-24; Deut 29:23).
When you hear the name “Sodom” what comes to mind?
Sodom was a cesspool of unspeakable immorality and abominations. Note Jude 7.
Sodom’s wickedness and subsequent destruction was so renowned it was commonplace for Sodom to be used as a comparison for the sinfulness of Israel and other nations (cf. Ezek. 16:49-50; Deut. 32:32; Is. 1:10; Jer. 23:14).
The memory of their destruction provide a picture of God’s judgment (Is. 13:10; Jer. 49:18; Matt. 10:14-15; 11:23-24) and made them an example to be avoided (Deut. 29:23-25; 2 Pet 2:6).
Perhaps the clearest picture of Sodom’s sinfulness is found in the text of our lesson.
Before we focus on Lot’s wife, let us look at the story itself:
The Story Begins: (Gen 19) (Read the text one verse at a time and make the following comments):
Vs. 1
Lot was sitting in the gate. Elders/judges of a city sat at the gate. Here, they conducted business and legal issues were settled.
Lot, apparently, was a leader in the city.
Vs. 2
The verse give us our first clue regarding the wicked condition of the city and Lot’s knowledge of it.
It was customary for travelers to spend the night in the city square (an enlarged area just within the city gate, it served as a market place, etc.).
Their suggestion to sleep in the square was simply customary (these heavenly beings posing as men simply wanted to fit their part as travelers).
Vs. 3
Why did Lot strongly urge these strangers not to sleep in the square, rather to spend the night with him?
I believe Lot feared for their safety! I think he was well aware of the wicked condition of the city and had probably witnessed attacks on other travelers who slept in the square.
Vs. 4
The phraseology is clear - young and old, all the people from every quarter. It expresses the enormity of the present condition of sin and immorality in the city! If Lot had hoped his guests had entered his home unnoticed, he was wrong. As sick as it may seem, the men of the city were on the look-out for strangers! The rape and sexual abuse of strangers was probably common. Perhaps the outcry of 18:20 were prayers from abused travelers who’ve been raped while passing through Sodom?
Vs. 5
Their intentions are very clear! Sin and immorality was so rampant in Sodom, there was no reason to be discreet! (cf. Is. 3:8-9).
Vs. 6-8
The compromise Lot offers up is unimaginable!
Christ admonished us to Remember Lot’s wife - intending for us to learn from her mistakes and weaknesses. The key lessons we can learn from Lot’s wife are yet to come in our study; however, at this point in our text, I have to wonder, where is Lot’s wife during this unbelievable offer?
Vs. 9-13
The situation becomes critical, God intercedes!
Vs. 14
Why didn’t Lot’s family take him seriously?
Perhaps Lot had never mentioned his faith in God before. Perhaps Lot’s words were of no reputation, for his family wasn’t accustomed to hearing him denounce sin and wickedness in the city.
At this point in our text, we are starting to develop clearer pictures in our minds regarding this story:
It’s very clear that the sinful lusts of this city were rampant! It is nothing more than a cesspool of immorality at it’s worst. Any relationship between God and the family of Lot is at best suspect! After all, ten righteous men couldn’t be found within the city, and I believe this to include Lot’s household. What about Lot’s wife? With a good feel for the situation, I think we can now start looking for reasons to remember Lot’s wife.
Lesson #1 Remember Lot’s wife - It really is important regarding who you “hang around with” (vs. 15-16):
How many righteous people were living in Sodom?
Do you think Mrs. Lot’s friends and acquaintances were a good influence on her? Lot & family had to be “dragged” out of the city by the arm. Why?
Perhaps 20 years of hanging around worldly people had weakened her faith. Maybe she just didn’t believe all this was happening.
Lesson #2 Remember Lot’s wife - No matter how trivial one might think a commandment from God is, we have to take God seriously (vs. 17)
We know how the story ends here (we’ll get to it later), Mrs. Lot will disobey God and look back. We could speculate as to why, but bottom line, God said don’t do it! God has been very specific regarding how we are to live and the things we are to do today:
- Is God serious about attending worship? (Heb 10:25)
- Is God serious about prayer? (1 Thes. 5:17)
- Is God serious about our priorities? (Matt. 6:33)
- Is God serious about evangelism? (Mark 16:15)
- Is God serious about our disposition? (2 Tim 2:22-25)
What did Christ say? Remember Lot’s wife! Perhaps the most obvious thing we see when we remember Lot’s wife is that she didn’t do what God said! Even our children, who have learned this story, can recognize this point. We have to take God seriously. He’s also serious about how we get to heaven.
- He’s serious about belief. (Mk. 16:16)
- He’s serious about repentance. (Acts 2:38)
- He’s serious about confession. (Rom. 10: 9-10)
- He’s serious about baptism. (Acts 2:38; 1 Pet. 3:21)
Back to the Story (vs. 18-26)
Lesson #3 Remember Lot’s Wife - The world can get a “death grip” on you (vs. 24).
Notice where Lot’s wife was when she looked back! Our English translation says she was behind him. The word behind is translated from the Hebrew "achar" which means away from, back, it suggests some distance.
Mrs. Lot not only had to be pulled out of the city, she also lingered behind the fleeing party. Why?
- perhaps she was concerned about her friends
- perhaps she hated to leave her home
- perhaps her heart was in Sodom
Simply, the world had a “death grip” on Mrs. Lot’s heart!
There are many things in the world today that “get a hold on us!” Some allow very offensive vices to rule their life:
- drugs
- alcohol
- pornography
- the love of money
Others allow more subtle things to consume them (recreational activities):
- golf
- ball games
- fishing
Is there yet another way Satan can attack the very core of the church by consuming us? Not with these very offensive vices or even the recreational pull - what about a mentality of indifference? What about lukewarmness and complacency, can this mindset also have a “death grip” on us today?
Back to the Story (vs. 25-30)
Lesson #4 Remember Lot’s Wife - Your lifestyle can influence your kids (vs. 31-38).
Look at vs. 31-32 again. I is hard for us to conceptualize such an act. Why would these young ladies (seeming from a Godly home) devise this incestuous plan? I think it was a direct reflection of the lifestyle their parents were living. We don’t know specifically how Lot and Mrs. Lot lived their life, the text just doesn’t tell us. Let’s give them the benefit of doubt - let’s say they weren’t actually participating in the immorality of the city. I suggest to you that by just living there they subtly condoned it! By just living in such a Godless environment, with influence and immoral learning all around them, I believe Lot’s daughters learned too much!
If we put God first in our lives… that means going to church every time the doors are open. It means being active in God’s Kingdom. It means attending church functions, putting God before the world. By example, we lead Godly lives and in doing so, perhaps our kids will. If we fuss, fight and argue at home, what will our kids grow up doing? If we never pray, study, or talk about Jesus at home, what will our kids grow up doing? If we only go to church once a week, never evangelize, never get involved, what will our kids grow up doing?
Conclusion:
What did Christ say? Remember Lot’s Wife!
Of whom we choose to “hang around with” really is important. We have to take all of God’s commandments seriously. I don’t think He’s kidding! The world can get a “death grip” on us! Our lifestyle can have a direct impact on the people around us. Especially our kids!
