Remember Lot's Wife

I. "Remember Lot's Wife." (Luk 17:32) is one of the shortest verses in the Bible. 1. Don't despise small things, though (Zec 4:10). 2. Some important verses in the Bible are very short. Consider the following profound, yet concise verses: A. "Jesus wept." (Joh 11:35) B. "Rejoice evermore." (1Th 5:16) C. "Pray without ceasing." (1Th 5:17) D. "Quench not the Spirit." (1Th 5:19) E. "Brethren, pray for us." (1Th 5:25) 3. Wise men let their words be few (Pro 17:27-28). 4. Fools, on the other hand, are known for their much speaking (Ecc 5:3; Ecc 10:14). 5. “If you can’t explain it simply, you don’t understand it well enough.” - Albert Einstein 6. "Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something." - Plato II. Though short, Jesus' warning to remember Lot's wife carries much weight. 1. Jesus' warning was given in the context of His second coming (Luk 17:22-24). 2. This is a warning to not turn back (Luk 17:31). 3. When Lot's family was rescued from Sodom prior to its destruction, they were told not to look back (Gen 19:17). A. God's command was short, four words: "look not behind thee". B. God doesn't have to say something more than once. C. God doesn't have to give elaborate reasons for a commandment. 4. Lot's wife looked back and was turned into a pillar of salt (Gen 19:26). A. This is not what Jesus had in mind when He said that believers are the salt of the earth (Mat 5:13). B. Nor when He said "Have salt in yourselves" (Mar 9:50). C. This is a good illustration of how it only takes one sin to condemn us. D. This is a good warning that we should not presume that God will repeat Himself several times before He judges us. 5. Though Lot's wife is to be remembered, she is not to be remembered for her good character, but for her sin. A. When the righteous turn back and commit sin, their righteousness will not be remembered (Eze 3:20; Eze 33:13). B. God cuts off wicked nations so they will not be remembered (Eze 25:10). C. God cut off the names of the idols in Israel so that they would no more be remembered (Zec 13:2). D. Who remembers the name of Lot's wife? i. Who remembers the names of the 10 spies who brought back an evil report after surveying the land of Canaan? a. Virtually nobody. b. But everyone remembers the names of the two faithful spies. ii. Who remembers the name of the rich young ruler who turned back from following Christ? a. No one. b. But everyone remembers the name of the apostle Paul who left all to follow Christ. E. The memory of the just is blessed, but that of the wicked is not so (Pro 10:7). F. The righteous shall be remembered forever (Psa 112:6). G. A good name is very valuable (Pro 22:1; Ecc 7:1). H. But it doesn't take much to soil a good reputation (Ecc 10:1). I. A reputation which took years to build can be destroyed in seconds. 6. The heart of Lot's wife was still in Sodom. A. Neither Lot nor his wife was in a hurry to leave, but God was merciful and led them out by the hand to spare them from being destroyed with the city (Gen 19:15-16). B. Despite being told not to look back, Lot's wife apparently couldn't help herself. C. Israel in the wilderness had the same problem. D. They missed the land of bondage from which they had been delivered and wanted to go back (Num 11:4-6). i. They fell a lusting, which destroys faith (Mar 4:19; 1Ti 6:9). ii. They desired to be back in bondage (Num 14:2; Num 16:13). iii. Christians are warned against desiring to return to their former bondage (Gal 4:8-11). iv. Remember Lot's wife and never look back. E. As Christians, we need to count our previous lives of sin and false religion as dung (Phi 3:8). i. The pleasures of sin are only for a season (Heb 11:25). ii. The reproach of Christ is greater than any riches of Egypt (Heb 11:26). iii. Remember Lot's wife and never look back. 7. We are not to be as them who turn back, but as those who believe unto the end to the saving of the soul (Heb 10:34-39). A. Once a Christian gets baptized and becomes a part of the church, which is the kingdom of God, and puts his hand to the plough, he must never look back (Luk 9:62). B. If Abraham had looked back, he might have been able to have returned to his home from which God called him (Heb 11:15). C. Stand fast, brethren (Phi 4:1; Eph 6:10-18; 1Co 15:58). D. The suffering of the present time is not worthy to be compared to the glory which awaits us (Rom 8:18). E. Cast not off your confidence which has great reward (Heb 10:35). 8. Run the race set before you and don't look back (Heb 12:1-2; 1Co 9:24-27). A. Fight the good fight (2Ti 4:6-8; 1Ti 6:12). i. Fight v. - 2. transf. and fig. a. To contend, strive for victory, struggle, engage in conflict. 1611 Bible 1 Cor. ix. 26 So fight I, not as one that beateth the ayre. ii. Don't beat the air (1Co 9:26). iii. If you are inexperienced, the Lord will teach you how to fight (Psa 144:1). B. Press toward the mark of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus (Phi 3:14). C. Finish your course (Act 20:24). D. Don't give up in the 9th inning. E. Gird up your loins, be strong, quit you like men (1Co 16:13). F. The Lord will help you and give you strength (Isa 40:28-31). G. Remember Lot's wife and never look back.