DON'T LOOK BACK LONGING FOR THE PAST SINFUL LIFE

Proclamation:

“Then The Lord rained down burning sulfur on Sodom and Gomorrah from the Lord out of heaven … destroying all those living in the cities, and also the vegetation in the land.  But Lot’s wife looked back, and she became a pillar of salt.”  Genesis 19:24-26 (NIV)

Explanation:

These are the words of God which were written by Moses under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  After being warned that The Lord God was going to destroy the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, (Genesis 19:12) Lot was told to take his wife and two daughters and get out of the city and go to the mountains. (Genesis 19:15)  They were told by one of the angels of The Lord to: “Flee for you lives!  Don’t look back, and don’t stop anywhere in the plain!” (Genesis 19:17)  When they reached safety in the city of Zoar, the destruction of the cities began and Lot’s wife turned and looked back behind them.  As she looked back she was changed into a pillar of salt. 

Application:

There has been much speculation as to why Lot’s wife looked back.  Some say that she longed for the life, the lifestyle, or the possessions that she left behind.  Some say that she did not believe that anything serious would happen if she just briefly looked behind them.  Some say that she was not a believer.  Regardless of the reason why she did it, she disobeyed the angel of The Lord and was punished immediately.  Once we are saved, we are not to go back to our old sinful ways, or wish for them, or look back longing for them.  Jesus, The Christ, said that no one who takes us the work of God and looks back longingly is worthy of the kingdom of God. (Luke 9:62)  Jesus also said, “Remember Lot’s wife.”  He said this while explaining to His disciples regarding the coming of the kingdom of God (Luke 17:22-33) after telling them that no one should go back into the house for his possessions or back into the field for anything. (Luke 17:31-32)  We are to learn from past mistakes and do better, and not long to return to our past life.  We should not value our past so much so that we ruin our future.

THE RIGHTEOUS WILL BE SPARED WHEN THE WICKED ARE DESTROYED

Proclamation:

“Then Abraham approached Him and said, ‘Will You sweep away the righteous with the wicked?  What if there are fifty righteous people in the city … What if only ten can be found there?’  He answered, ‘For the sake of ten, I will not destroy it.’”  Genesis 18:20-32

Explanation:

These are the words of God which were written by Moses under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  When Lot and Abram parted company, Lot chose the well-watered plain of the Jordan and moved his herds and flocks near Sodom.  Unfortunately the people of Sodom were wicked and sinned greatly against The Lord. (Genesis 13:11-13)  It came to pass that the kings in area made war with the other kings nearby, they were defeated and Lot was captured and his possession taken. (Genesis 14:1-12)  When Abram learned of this he took 318 of his servants and attacked and routed them, rescuing Lot and the other captives. (Genesis 14:13-16)  The Lord God told Abram that He was his shield and his very great reward, (Genesis 15:1-5) and God promised him a son.  Abram’s wife Sarai was also old and she was barren, so she gave Abram her slave/handmaid Hagar so that he could have a son.  After she conceived, she began to despise her mistress and Sarai began to mistreat her so she left. (Genesis 16:1-6)  Hagar was confronted by the angel of The Lord and returned and bore Abram a son named Ishmael. (Genesis 16:7-15)  The Lord God changed Abram’s name to Abraham (Genesis 17:5) and his wife Sarai’s name to Sarah. (Genesis 17:15)  God made a covenant with Abraham (Genesis 17:10-11) and promised him that Sarah would bear him a son and he will be called Isaac. (Genesis 17:17-19)  Then The Lord appeared to Abraham (Genesis 18:1-2) and told him that the sins of the people in Sodom and Gomorrah were so great that He was going to destroy the cities. (Genesis 18:17 and 20)  This is when Abraham questioned The Lord regarding sparing the lives of the righteous living among the wicked. (Genesis 18:22-32)

Application:

The Lord God destroyed the whole earth but spared Noah and his family. (Hebrews 11:7)  Here He told Abraham that He was going to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah but He would spare the righteous there, namely Lot and his family. (Genesis 19:15-16)  He said that if there were ten righteous people there, He would spare the cities for their sakes.  Even when surrounded by wickedness and corruption, a child of God should maintain his faith and Christian walk.  By doing so we will find grace and favor in the eyes of The Lord and thereby be spared the wrath of God which will come to those people who are doing evil.