Remember Lot’s Wife.

One of the Bible’s shortest verses expresses an admonition from the lips of Jesus, “Remember Lot’s wife” (Lk. 17:32). But what is there to “remember”? In all the Scriptures there is only one verse about this woman. When Lot and his family were dragged from the city of Sodom by two angels, prior to its fiery destruction, we read, “But his wife looked back behind him, and she became a pillar of salt” (Gen. 19:26). But in spite of the limited detail, here are some things we know about her.

1. That she is a historical figure is confirmed by the words of Jesus. This is not a mythical person, but a flesh-and-blood woman whose time on this earth and tragic end needs to be remembered.
2. That she lived in the wicked city of Sodom. Was she perhaps a native of the area? We do not know, but it seems possible.
3. That she lived with a righteous husband (cf. II Pet. 2:7-8), likely for more than two decades, since their children were grown.
4. That all her children were worldly, either refusing to leave the city or, in the case of Lot’s two unmarried daughters, carrying its morals away with them (Gen. 19:30-38).
5. That she loved the lifestyle of Sodom. The wording in Genesis suggests she lagged behind, and pulled back toward the city, not wanting to leave.
6. That she willfully disobeyed both her husband and the Lord (Gen. 19:15, 17), showing her true heart’s attitude.
7. That she experienced the judgment of God, dying a terrible death.
8. That she is an example and a reminder of the danger of turning back from a course once begun (cf. Lk. 9:62; II Tim. 4:10; Heb. 10:38). Specifically, in the context, Lot’s wife is to be a lesson for the people of Israel in the Tribulation not to turn back from following Christ (Lk. 17:24-37).