Lot’s Wife
is perhaps the Bible’s most famous turner. God was about to destroy the city of Sodom, her hometown, and despite being warned to leave and not look back, she did (Gen. 19). She couldn’t help herself.
I have a hard time condemning Mrs. Lot since I would have done the same thing. I’m with that character in Kurt Vonnegut’s “Slaughterhouse Five,” who says, “And Lot’s wife, of course, was told not to look back where all those people and their homes had been. But she did look back, and I love her for that, because it was so human. So she was turned into a pillar of salt. So it goes.”
But it’s not that easy, letting her off the hook. Because Jesus doesn’t. In warning his followers not to miss his coming, Jesus is hauntingly insistent. This moment—Now—is so urgent that, when the call comes, a man on the housetop should not even stop first to collect his possessions, and “likewise, let him who is in the field not turn back.” He ends with these three words, “Remember Lot’s wife” (Luke 17:32).
There is a fiery urgency in Jesus that can be frightening to us laid-back souls who want nothing more than to “chill.” But when the God-charged moment flashes and we can either step into it or look back—Jesus says we must be crazy wild for Now.
How to say this nicely: Remember Lot’s Wife.
P.S. On Saturdays, our companions will be musicians. Tomorrow you’ll hear a song that will make you want to Turn, Turn, Turn.
COMPANIONS ON THE WAY
Introduction
Stories of Turning
Week One
Stories of Wild Places
Week Two
Stories of Dogged Faith
Week Three
Stories of Mercy & Forgiveness
Week Four
Stories of Simplicity & Joy
Week Five
Stories of Prayer & Surrender
Week Six
Stories of Transforming Love
I love that we will have musical companions on this journey (I enjoy all kinds)!
During Old Testament readings (that can be a challenge) I sent music videos to my group for bursts of light (sometimes hope) or music based on particular passages. Often it would be songs our choir had sung – which added a whole new connection. Music can be like a bookmark. PS Lot’s wife: why do you think she looked back? Longing for her home, fear for her neighbors, curiosity, ???
The music is going to be great! And—who knows why she turned back. There are so many reasons we turn back. I just think of Jesus’’ words—“anyone who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is not fit for the kingdom of God.”
Was literally just reading this morning, “Any man can fight the battles of just one day…it is only when you and I add the burden of those two awful eternities, today and tomorrow, that we break down. It is not the experience of today that drives men mad. It is remorse or bitterness for something which happened yesterday or the dread of what tomorrow may bring. Let us therefore do our best to live but one day at a time.” From “Twenty-Four Hours a Day” collected by Richmond Walker. Not much I can add to that except it’s how I envision Mrs Lot turning back towards the “past” and why Jesus would condemn it.
That’s a great quote—beautifully expressed. And you’re right—she was turned toward the past.
Thanks for sharing this…so good! When something I’m reading comes up again, I call it a personal gift of grace. 🙂