Genesis seems to be the book that people most have trouble with. The story of Sodom and Gomorrah are not the least of people’s problems with Genesis. Dealing with the reason for the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah is not something that I am willing to tackle today. Today I’m talking about the righteous one of a million: Lot (and his family).

Genesis 19:15
And when the morning arose, then the angels hastened Lot, saying, Arise, take thy wife, and thy two daughters, which are here; lest thou be consumed in the iniquity of the city.

For Lot’s righteousness, God decided to save him and his family. Two angels of the Lord told him to leave, and then forcibly removed him from the city to make way for its destruction.

God chose Lot to survive, and Lot’s family by proxy.

As they were fleeing the city, the text (Gen 19: 26) is rendered thus:
But his wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt.

This is where people have major problems with the text. All she did was look back at the city! It doesn’t seem to be an offense that merits destruction by conversion to a pillar of salt. However, the Bible says it simply and matter-of-factly, not the way it usually references miraculous events. The phrase “looked back” is possibly rendered “return back” or “lag back”, as well. She missed her luxurious life in Sodom. It is speculated that she was buried beneath an explosion of volcanic ash from the destruction of the city.

Think of it this way: Lot’s wife didn’t actualy GO back to Sodom. She glanced back over her shoulder, or lagged behind for want of not leaving the place she was comfortable with. Don’t even LOOK longingly at your sins! Don’t reconsider things you have been told are evil, or you’re opening up fresh wounds in your relationship with God.

Are you guilty of being Lot’s wife? Are you saved by the righteousness of Christ, but still guilty of longing for your past iniquity? Do you long for one more night of drunkenness? One more affair? One last cigarette?

I know that I am Lot’s Wife in many ways.