Tim Maas Retired Quality Assurance Specialist with the U.S. Army

Jesus was referring to the account of the actions of Lot's wife recorded in Genesis 19.

When Abraham and his nephew Lot had separated in Genesis 13 due to the large size of their combined herds and flocks, Lot had settled in Sodom, a city which became notorious for the wickedness of its inhabitants.

When that wickedness had grown so great that God decided to destroy the city, two angels were sent to Sodom to mercifully save Lot, his wife, their two daughters, and the daughters' husbands from the coming destruction by telling them to flee the city. (However, the husbands of Lot's two daughters ignored this warning.)

The angels specifically told Lot, his wife, and their daughters to flee the city, and not to look back as they fled, or else they, too, would be caught up in the city's destruction. 

When God destroyed Sodom by raining down fire and brimstone from heaven on the city, Lot's wife turned to look back at the city as she fled, which not only specifically disobeyed the angels' instructions, but also figuratively represented her continued attachment to Sodom and its wickedness, as well as her regret at leaving it behind. As a punishment for her disobedience, and for her reluctance to forsake the city's wickedness, she was turned into a pillar of salt.

When Jesus told His followers to remember Lot's wife, He was warning them not to similarly "look back" at any aspect of their earthly lives (including their wealth or possessions) that they might have to forsake in order to be in a continual state of maximum readiness for His sudden, unexpected future return -- particularly if their attachment to that aspect would be so great that it would prevent them from committing themselves totally to Him, and devoting their entire earthly lives to God's purposes.

August 19 2020 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Scott Broberg Fig Tree Ministries

There is something deeper being communicated here in here in Luke 17 (as well as Gen. 19). 

We have to look at the verses before and after (Luke 17: 31-33). It reads:

"Likewise, no one in the field should go back for anything. Remember Lot’s wife! Whoever tries to keep their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life will preserve it."

The kingdom of God is about growing, learning, and improving oneself. Unfortunately, the process of learning (or changing long-established patterns of behavior) is difficult. To learn something new or take on a better way of life means that you must let go of the thing (knowledge, behavior, etc.) that you are currently hanging on to. Learning is always as much a process of letting go as it is discovering new information. 

When we can't adapt, or we lose our flexibility, we ossify. We turn into - shall we say - a pillar of salt. 

For some, leaving their old way of life - their ingrained habits or behaviors - is too difficult. 

The Pharisees couldn't adapt to a new paradigm of Jesus as the Christ. The Sadducees didn't want to give up their power and control. The Jews in Galatia couldn't handle the thought of NOT requiring circumcision. 

The people in Noah's day couldn't change. Then one day, the flood overwhelmed them. 

Even with fire and brimstone coming down on Sodom - Lot's wife (not even named) couldn't help but turn back toward her past. She ossified. 

If someone tries to keep their life - they will ultimately lose it. 
Jesus also says in Luke 9:62:

"No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God."

The Kingdom of God (and spiritual growth) is all about the spirit moving - adaptability and flexibility. Adaptability and flexibility come from within. 

Notice Jesus says in Luke 17:21 - the ESV has a footnote that it can mean the kingdom of God is "within you."

August 27 2020 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report