Before we talk about Sodom, it would benefit us to answer this question: What is prophecy? Take a moment and see what you come up with.
Did you have an answer? Were you unsure? Well, you’re not alone. I’m sure many of us would struggle to provide a concise definition. I can say that in the West, we have a tendency to define prophecy as a statement and fulfillment. Although that’s certainly a part of prophecy, it’s slightly more complicated.
From what I understand, prophecy is a pattern in Eastern thought (think Israel). Rabbi Jonathan Cahn, Pastor at Beth Israel Worship Center and Author of many books, including The Harbinger, excels at understanding this principle.
For our purposes today, we need to think of the prophetic picture we see in the story of Sodom and how, despite the tragedy, there’s hope. Before we dive in, I need to point out that the Old Testament is concealed and revealed in the New Testament. What I mean is that there are things that are hidden in the Old Testament and revealed in the New. The most notable example is Jesus, the Son of God.
Let’s talk about Sodom
Most of you are probably familiar with the story of Sodom and the other four cities of the plains from Genesis 19. You were probably taught that Sodom’s sin was sexual immorality, and while that’s certainly accurate, there’s more to the story. Before we talk about Lot’s wife and the prophetic pattern that emerges from her story, let’s look at Sodom’s culture from the lens of the Bible.
- Pride Ez. 16:49
- excess of food (gluttony) Ez. 16:49
- prosperous ease (laziness) Ez. 16:49
- Did not aid the poor and needy Ez. 16:49
- haughty (arrogant) Ez. 16:49
- ungodly 2 Peter 2:5
- sensual conduct 2 Peter 2:7
- wicked 2 Peter 2:7
- lawlessness filled the city 2 Peter 2:8
- they had corrupt desires 2 Peter 2:10
- they despised authority 2 Peter 2:10
- among other things, which you can research if interested
I find it important for us to understand the culture of Sodom because when we gain a better understanding of what happened to Lot’s wife, we can learn some valuable lessons.
The Prophetic Pattern
When the two Angels of God came to Sodom, they quickly found out how corrupt and vile the city’s men were; however, Lot wasn’t like them, and the Angels told him what was about to take place in Sodom and the other cities of the plains. In Genesis 19 verses 15 and 16 the Angels “urged Lot, saying, “Up! Take your wife…” They’re saying, Get Out!
Consider this: Acts 2:40 “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.” These are the words of the Apostle Peter as he preaches to 3000 men at Jerusalem and tells them to repent and believe in Jesus Christ.
In Genesis 19, verse 15, we’re told that Lot was lingering. In other words, he was finding it difficult to leave the city, so the Angels took him and his family by the hand and led them outside the city.
Verse 17: “Escape for your life….” It kind of sounds reminiscent of what Peter told the men in Acts 2:40.
Verse 22: “…Escape there quickly, for I can do nothing till you arrive there.”
Consider this: 2 Peter 2:9 says, “…then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment until the day of judgment.
Let’s Recap
We have a judgment coming upon five cities of the plains. We didn’t mention it, but we know that Abraham interceded before God on behalf of the righteous who may have been in those cities. Lot is the only person deemed righteous by God and is, therefore, spared from the coming judgment. The judgment couldn’t happen until the righteous were safely removed. Let’s continue.
Genesis 19:26 is critical for today’s lesson. “But Lot’s wife, behind him, looked back, and she became a pillar of salt.”
I’d like to mention a few key points.
- Lot’s family was saved from the city on account of righteousness. (2 Peter 2:7)
- The scriptures never tell us whether Lot’s wife or daughters were considered righteous. (You might want to check out Acts 16:31 and Joshua 2:12-13 to understand this better)
- Lot, his wife, and two daughters were all saved from the judgment.
- Had Lot’s wife not “looked back,” she would have made it safely to Zoar with her family.
What happened to Lot’s wife?
If you’ve ever been to Sunday school for any time, you’ve probably heard or seen this story at some point. Most likely, it was presented very simply as Lot’s wife glanced back and became a pillar of salt, but I’d like to make a few key points.
Verse 26 says, “..but Lot’s wife…behind him.” This verse seems to imply that she had fallen behind, but why? Was she too slow to keep up? No. The Angels answered this in verse 22: “Escape there quickly, for I can do nothing till you arrive there.” Did this apply to Lot’s wife? Indeed, like her daughters and husband, she was saved out of the city.
I think there are two keys to understanding this verse correctly. The first comes in verse 26: “But Lot’s wife, behind him, looked back…”
According to Strongs Definition, the phrase “looked back” means to look intently or regard with pleasure, favor, or care.
I’m suggesting that Lot’s wife was intentionally lingering on the plains. She’d received the same instructions that her husband and daughters received, yet she was lingering on the plains when the destruction struck.
What am I suggesting? I believe Lot’s wife was in love with Sodom. She was torn between familiarity and freedom. Perhaps she was turning back to the city? That’s probably not justified by the text, but she was undoubtedly lingering in the plains, and she looked back. Still, not as in taking a glance, as we’ve been taught, but more accurately, she looked back intently, regarding Sodom with pleasure.
This would probably be a good time to scroll to the top and remember Sodom’s culture.
Consider this passage: 1 John 2:15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. v16 For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world.
I mentioned above that I had two critical points that help us better understand what happened to Lot’s wife. The second is found in Luke 17:28.
Luke 17:28 Likewise, just as it was in the days of Lot—they were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building, v29 but on the day when Lot went out from Sodom, fire and sulfur rained down from heaven and destroyed them all—v30 so will it be on the day when the Son of Man is revealed.
v32 Remember Lot’s wife.
v33 Whoever seeks to preserve his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life will keep it.
What’s the Prophetic Pattern?
Luke 17:28 just revealed the first part. There is a day when the Son of Man will be revealed from Heaven. 1 These. 4:16-17 tells us that Christ will one day return for his bride, the Church. Luke 21:34 warns us (Christians) to watch ourselves unless our hearts are weighed down…and that day come upon us suddenly, like a trap. Read verses 25-28; 35-36 for further insight.
What am I saying? There appears to be a day of judgment coming to the world, similar, in some ways, to the judgment of Sodom and the other cities. In that instance, Lot (a righteous person) was saved along with this family; however, his wife turned back and was destroyed in the judgment.
Another excellent example of this Prophetic Pattern is found in Joshua Chapters 2 and 6 when Rahab and her family were saved from the destruction of Jericho.
Encouragement?
The big encouragement for me is that Lot and his family were taken out of the city before the judgment occurred and sent to a safe place. Sadly, Lot’s wife chose to turn back, but she still had every opportunity to be saved from the judgment, like her family.
Many places in the New Testament seem to imply there’s a day of judgment coming against the earth because of the wickedness of humanity. That doesn’t seem very encouraging unless we look back at the Prophetic Patterns and realize that the righteous are saved from these judgements.
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