Genesis 19:17-38 “Sodom’s Aftermath”

“When they were safely out of the city, one of the angels ordered, ‘Run for your lives! And don’t look back or stop anywhere in the valley! Escape to the mountains, or you will be swept away!’”
Genesis 19:17 (NLT)

In March of 1994, our family moved from Sacramento, California to Boise, Idaho. Our intention was to start a church. We left our church, two good-paying jobs, and our family and friends to venture into the unknown. We didn’t know anyone in Boise; we just felt called by God to move here. For nine months before the move, I wrestled with the decision. “Is this really you, God?” But once we were convinced that God was in it, we never looked back. These past 29 years have been a great adventure. Yes, there have been hard times that have tried our faith, but God has always been faithful.

If we are going to be followers of Jesus, then we must learn to step out in faith and never look back. God is calling us out of this world and into the eternal kingdom of heaven. This requires us to leave stuff behind. But there is nothing we give up in this life that God does not replace with something better (Mark 10:29-30). So why do we struggle so much to let go?

That was the problem Lot had in leaving Sodom. Everything he possessed was in the city. When two angels came to deliver Lot, he and his family delayed. It was hard for them to leave, even though they knew the city would be destroyed. The angels removed Lot from Sodom, but it was not as easy to remove Sodom from Lot and his family. The angel told them to escape for their lives and not to look back. After they entered Zoar, God rained down brimstone and fire on Sodom and Gomorrah. But Lot’s wife looked back and became a pillar of salt.

What do we learn from this tragic event?

In Luke 17, Jesus spoke of the signs foretelling the end of the age. He said that the time of His return will be like the day when Lot left Sodom.

“In that day, he who is on the housetop, and his goods are in the house, let him not come down to take them away. And likewise the one who is in the field, let him not turn back. Remember Lot’s wife. Whoever seeks to save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it.”
Luke 17:31–33 (NKJV)

Since this world is marked for destruction, we should have a very light touch on it. God has something so much better for us in His kingdom. But when God calls us out we must not look back. If we grasp tightly to our lives in this world, then we will lose them. But if we are willing to forsake all to follow Jesus, then we will find real life both now and for eternity!