LUKE 17:20-32 “REMEMBER LOT’S WIFE”
A) 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 “rock and a 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 just amazing.
* In this particular encounter, the Pharisees were demanding a miraculous sign as to when this
“kingdom” was coming.
B) Jesus explains to them that the kingdom of God is not coming with signs - v.20!
* Jesus then goes into a message regarding His last days.
* In doing so, He reminds His disciples of a couple Old Testament tragedies ...
* The days of Noah and the days of Lot.
* What really stands out to me in this passage are the 3 words spoken by Christ in v.32 .......
C) 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: Genesis Chapters 11 & 12, 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, then we must assume that she too left
Ur with her husband.
* In Chapter 13, the success of the families of Lot and Abraham caused strife among their
herdsmen and the ultimate split between the two of them!
* Lot chooses the Jordan valley and leaves Abraham with the less desirable desert hills of Canaan! D) The key here is this: First, Lot located his family in the fertile Jordan valley!
* Later v.12, he moved his tents as far as Sodom (he kept creeping closer and 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).
E) 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 God made to Abraham!
* By chapter 17, 24 years have expired since Abraham left Haran ... plenty of time for Lot and
family to establish roots in Sodom.
F) Chapter 18, God and two angels appear to Abraham as three men!
* They have two primary purposes: * One: To convince Sarah that she indeed would bare a son!
* And two: To tell Abraham of the outcry from Sodom and of His plans to investigate!
G) The City of Sodom is thought to have been located on the SE side of the Dead Sea!
* When you hear the name “Sodom,” what comes to mind?
* Sodom was a cesspool of unspeakable immorality and abominations! * Note Jude v.7
* Sodom’s wickedness and destruction was so renowned it was commonplace for Sodom to be
used as a comparison for the sinfulness of Israel and other nations!
(Deut.32:32; Isa.1:10; Jer.23:14; Ezek.16:49-50)
* The memory of their destruction provide a picture of God’s judgment!
* (Isa.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!
H) Before we focus on Lot’s wife, let us look at the story itself: * The Story Begins: Gen.19
* Vs.1, Lot was sitting in the gate! * Elders and judges of a city sat at the gate!
* Here, they conducted business and legal issues were settled.
* So, Lot, apparently, was a leader in the city.
* Vs.2 gives 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).
* Their suggestion to sleep in the square was simply customary (these heavenly beings posing as
men simply wanted to fit their part as travelers).
I) 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 expresses the extreme wickedness 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?
J) Vs.5 Their intentions are very clear!
* Sin and immorality was so rampant in Sodom, there was no reason to be discreet!
* Isa.3:8-9 says that Sodom “declared their sin and hid it not!”
* Vs. 6-8, The compromise Lot offers up is unimaginable!
* Christ admonished us to Remember Lot’s wife!
* I believe He was 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?
K) 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!
L) 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 because .......
(1) 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 and family had to be “dragged” out of the city by the arm! Why?
* Perhaps over 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 because .......
(2) NO MATTER HOW TRIVIAL ONE MIGHT THINK A COMMANDMENT FROM GOD IS,
WE HAVE TO TAKE GOD SERIOUSLY - V.17!
* We know how the story ends here (we’ll get to it later),
* Mrs. Lot will disobey God and look back!
A) 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? * Heb10:25 “Not forsaking the assembling of .......”
* Is God serious about prayer? * 1Thes.5:17 “Pray without ceasing.”
* Is God serious about our priorities? * Matt. 6:33 “But seek ye first the kingdom .......”
* Is God serious about evangelism? * Mark 16:15 “And he said unto them, Go ye into all .......”
* Is God serious about our living right? * 2Tim.2:22 “Flee also youthful lusts: but follow
righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.”
B) 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 that believeth and is baptized shall be .......”
* He’s serious about repentance! * Acts 2:38 “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be .......”
* He’s serious about confession! * Rom. 10: 9-10 “That if thou shalt confess with thy .......”
* Back to the Story! * Lesson #3 - Remember Lot’s Wife because .......
(3) THE WORLD CAN GET A “DEATH GRIP” ON YOU - V.26!
* Notice where Lot’s wife was when she looked back!
A) Our King James 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!
B) 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 just these very offensive vices or even the recreational pull ... But 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! * Lesson #4 - Remember Lot’s Wife because .......
(4) YOUR LIFESTYLE CAN INFLUENCE YOUR KIDS -V.31-38!
* Look at v.31-32 again ... It is hard for us to conceive such an act!
* Why would these young ladies devise this incestuous plan?
A) 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 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!
B) If we put God 1st in our lives, and that means going to church every time the doors are open!
* It means being active in God’s Kingdom ... It means attending church functions,
* It means 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:
A) 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!
