Lesson 45

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Bible Study 1 - Genesis 19

 

Series # 4:             FOLLOWING IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF FAITH

Lesson 45:            Genesis 19.12-26 Luke 17:32 DO NOT TURN BACK FOR ANYTHING

 

Genesis 19:12-26(KJV) 12 And the men said unto Lot, Hast thou here any besides? son in law, and thy sons, and thy daughters, and whatsoever thou hast in the city, bring them out of this place:  13 For we will destroy this place, because the cry of them is waxen great before the face of the LORD; and the LORD hath sent us to destroy it.  14 And Lot went out, and spake unto his sons in law, which married his daughters, and said, Up, get you out of this place; for the LORD will destroy this city. But he seemed as one that mocked unto his sons in law. 15 And when the morning arose, then the angels hastened Lot, saying, Arise, take thy wife, and thy two daughters, which are here; lest thou be consumed in the iniquity of the city.  16 And while he lingered, the men laid hold upon his hand, and upon the hand of his wife, and upon the hand of his two daughters; the LORD being merciful unto him: and they brought him forth, and set him without the city.  17 And it came to pass, when they had brought them forth abroad, that he said, Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain; escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed.  18 And Lot said unto them, Oh, not so, my Lord:  19 Behold now, thy servant hath found grace in thy sight, and thou hast magnified thy mercy, which thou hast showed unto me in saving my life; and I cannot escape to the mountain, lest some evil take me, and I die:  20 Behold now, this city is near to flee unto, and it is a little one: Oh, let me escape thither, (is it not a little one?) and my soul shall live.  21 And he said unto him, See, I have accepted thee concerning this thing also, that I will not overthrow this city, for the which thou hast spoken.  22 Haste thee, escape thither; for I cannot do anything till thou become thither. Therefore the name of the city was called Zoar.  23 The sun was risen upon the earth when Lot entered into Zoar. 24 Then the LORD rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the LORD out of heaven;  25 And he overthrew those cities, and all the plain, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and that which grew upon the ground. 26 But his wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt.”

 


Luke 17:32 (KJV) Jesus said,  “Remember Lot’s wife.” 

 

INTRODUCTION:

 

In the Luke 17 passage, Jesus has just been asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God will come. His answer is to warn them to be ready for the coming of the kingdom is like the flash of lightening that instantly lights the sky. It is compared to the coming of the flood in Noah's day, and to the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah in Lot's day. Those who hear are warned to be ready to go when the Lord comes, and they are warned against turning back for anything. Then, in the midst of His teaching, the Lord tells those listening to Him that they should "remember Lot's wife."

 

Nowhere in the Bible are we told to remember Abraham, Isaac or Jacob. We are not commanded to remember Ruth or Rahab, David or Joshua, but we are commanded to remember Lot's wife! We are told to awaken our sluggish memories and look back to the death of one soul who passed through this world, lived in sin and died in sin. We are told to remember Lot's wife. What is there to remember? She was married to Lot and she lived in Sodom. Before God's judgment came on Sodom and Gomorrah she, along with her husband and two unmarried daughters were forced from the city. They were all commanded not to look behind them as they fled, but she disobeyed and was instantly judged, killed and transformed into a pillar of salt. That is what we know, but when we study her story, we can learn even more about her, how she lived and why she died like she did.

 

Evidently, there are some lessons that can be learned from Lot's wife. Our assignment from the Lord is that we remember her and DO NOT TURN BACK FOR ANYTHING! Therefore, in keeping with the Lord's command, I want to teach on this thought. Let me just say that there is a lesson here for both saint and sinner. There is a word here for both the saved and the lost. There is a word from God for your heart in Remembering Lot's Wife and the warning DO NOT TURN BACK FOR ANYTHING. I want to consider Lot's Wife and her spiritual condition. There are three areas of her spiritual life that need to be remembered.

 

INTERPRETATION:

 

CONSIDER HER SPIRITUAL PRIVILEGES

 

SHE WAS PRIVILEGED IN HER RELATIONSHIPS

She was privileged to be married into the only family on the earth that was serving the one true God.

 

SHE SAW THE CLEAR FAITH OF ABRAHAM

 

This man, who was called "the Friend of God." 

The Bible says in James 2:23, “And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.”

Abraham was her husband’s uncle! She had witnessed his dedication to the Lord. She had seen his altars and his worship. She had seen him operate in the power of God and deliver her husband from sure death in Gen. 14. She was privileged to be associated with one of the greatest godly men who ever walked this planet!

 

SHE SAW THE CLOUDY FAITH OF LOT

 

Lot was a man of many spiritual failures. His story is found in Genesis 13:9-13; 14:12. He traded his tent for a townhouse! In spite of his failures, the Bible calls Lot a righteous man.

 The Bible says in 2nd Pet. 2:6-8, “But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. 7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. 8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.” 

His wife could have benefitted from his faith, but she failed to do so! One's relationships do not save. Faith in Jesus saves souls! The responsibility of parents, especially fathers is to set the right example.

 

SHE WAS PRIVILEGED IN HER REVELATIONS

Because of her relationship with Lot and Abraham, she learned a few things about God.

 

SHE WAS ACQUAINTED WITH DEITY

 

She certainly knew who God was and how one approaches Him. She had learned this from her husband and his uncle. Yet, she never followed through with it.  How many sit in church and know Who God is and how to come to Him, but they fail to act on what they know? It has to move about 18 inches, from the head to the heart before it can save your soul.

  1. The Bible says in John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

  2. The Bible says in Acts 16:31, “And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.”

  3. The Bible says in Acts 4:12, “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”

  4. The Bible says in Romans 10:9, “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”

  5. The Bible says in Romans 10:13, “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” 

But knowing what the Bible says is one thing, but acting upon what the Bible says is what saves the soul!

 

SHE WAS AWARE OF THE DESTRUCTION

 

God had even graced her by sending angels to warn her and her family of the impending doom in Gen. 19:1-13. Still, she refused to flee from the wrath of God. 

  1. The Bible says in Genesis 19:16, “And while he lingered, the men laid hold upon his hand, and upon the hand of his wife, and upon the hand of his two daughters; the LORD being merciful unto him: and they brought him forth, and set him without the city”

  2. The Bible says in Genesis 19:26, “But his wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt.”

The words  "from behind him" carries the idea that she was lagging far behind the others. She knew, but it didn't phase her! How many today know of the judgment that is coming and still they do not flee to Jesus for refuge? Everyone knows, how many have run to Him for shelter? Only a fool walks into Hell with his eyes open to its reality and closed to God's proximity!

 

SHE WAS PRIVILEGED IN HER RESPONSIBILITY

 

Here is a woman who knew the facts and was given every opportunity to act upon them. She was given the chance to change, the chance to believe, the chance to be saved. Yet, she squandered those chances and died without God. The conviction of God is a privilege! When God calls, it isn't to harm us, but it is to remind us that He loves us and wants to save us by His grace.

  1. In the Bible Jesus said in John 6:44, “No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day”

  2. In the Bible Jesus said John 6:65, “… Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father”

 

EXPLANATION:

 

CONSIDER HER SPIRITUAL PROBLEMS

 

For thousands of years men have wondered why this woman looked back. There are three spiritual problems that Lot's wife had in her life. These are revealed in this passage and they answer this answer this question.)

 

THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH HER FAITH – DISBELIEF

 

She looked back because she did not believe that God would what He said He would do! She thought He was bluffing! Lost people still make the same gamble today! However, God isn't bluffing! Just ask the Rich Man of Jesus Day.

  1. The Bible says in Hebrews 12:6-11. “For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. 7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? 8 But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.  9 Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? 10 For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.”

There is chastisement for the child of God who chooses sin over the will of God. God isn't bluffing! Sin is a hard taskmaster.

  1. The Bible says in  Proverbs 13:15, “Good understanding giveth favor: but the way of transgressors is hard.”

 

THERE WAS A A PROBLEM WITH HER FACE – DISOBEDIENCE

 

She, along with all the others, had been commanded not to look back. But, there was something within her that caused her to turn back toward Sodom. The problem with Lot's wife was that she had her eyes on all the wrong things. She was looking back at a lost life, a lost lifestyle and a lost city. Wherever your gaze is fixed on will determine the path taken by your feet.

 

Remember the parable of the The Prodigal Son in Luke 15:1-24?  His gaze was fixed on the world and his feet followed his gaze.  That is why some of people won't get saved! That is why some of people will not live right! Their gaze is fixed on the wrong things! That is a dangerous way to live! God's plan, as it is laid out in His Word, is a perfect plan! Those who follow God's plan enjoy God's blessings and His peace. Those who reject God's plan for living find their path strewn with disaster and trouble. What are we looking at? What is our gaze fixed on?

 

THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH HER FOCUS – DECEPTION

 

She probably had everyone in the family fooled! They probably thought that she was saved. She had everyone fooled but God! The problem with Lot's wife is the problem with many people today, they have merely made a profession of faith, but they have never truly been born again! She proved what she was when she looked back to Sodom! You see, her body was out of Sodom, but her heart was still there. She was out of Sodom, but Sodom was not out of her. This is a picture of that religious person, that church member who has turned over a new leaf, but who has never been converted, who never turned over a new life! There is a difference in claiming to be a Christian than in being saved! When you are truly saved, you will not be able to enjoy the pleasures and allurements of the world as you did before! Why? Because you have been made a new creature. 

The Bible says in 2nd Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”

If you are just pretending to be saved, please be aware that you are not fooling the Lord! He knows your heart and will judge you accordingly!

 

By the way, it is possible for those who have been converted to find themselves looking back longingly at the old life they lived in Sodom. This was condemned by Jesus.

In the Bible Jesus said in Luke 9:62, “And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”

You see this trend in the church today. Everywhere there are professing Christians that want to dress, act, walk and talk like the world. People who say they know Jesus, but act like the unsaved around them. What they are doing is playing around with sin and treating sin too lightly! Sin is a deceiver, it is a killer and it is dangerous! It must be dealt with early and radically. Do not let it get a foothold in your life, but root it out, whatever the cost or the pain.

The Bible says in  Eph. 4:27, “Neither give place to the devil.”

 In the Bible Jesus said in Matt. 5:27-30, “Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: 28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. 29 And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. 30 And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.” 

We must get radical with our sins!

 

It is a travesty and it is a tragedy that there may be some people in this Bible Study who live, dress and act in such a fashion that I would just as soon hope you not tell anyone where you go to church! Why? Because it brings a reproach upon every saint of God who does try to live for Jesus in that place of worship. Yet, I thank God that there is a place of repentance for those who are guilty of the backward look.

 

APPLICATION:

 

CONSIDER HER SPIRITUAL PUNISHMENT

 

1  IT WAS SUDDEN

 

When judgment came, it was swift and sure.

The Bible says in Pro. 29:1, “He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.”

You may walk in sin for years, but one day judgment will surely come. One day, time will run out! There will be no more opportunities and no more calls to repentance,

The Bible says in Genesis 6:3, “And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years.”

There will be nothing but judgment swift and sure! This is a challenge to us to flee the wrath of God! There is but one shelter for the soul.

The Bible says in Romans 5:6-9 “And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart. 7 And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them. 8 But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD. 9 These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God.”

 

2  IT WAS SERIOUS

 

The Bible says that she became a pillar of salt. Instantly, the judgment of God fell on her and she perished and was swallowed up in the wrath of God. Her judgment came in spite of her unbelief! Non belief in Jesus won’t be a pillar of salt for you, but it will be an eternity in Hell. The Bible says in  Psalm 9:17, “The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.” If you die without Jesus, your judgment will be swift and sure! Instantly, at the moment of death, you will find yourself in Hell!

 

3  IT WAS SETTLED

 

For Lot's wife there would be no pardons, no second chances and no hope. She was gone and lost forever and nothing could be done about it! The time to prepare for the next world is today.  The Bible says in 2nd Cor. 6:2, “(For He saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succored thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)” When time runs out on you, there will be no opportunities after death. There will be no pardons and no paroles. There will be nothing for you but justice and judgment. Your sentence will be settled forever.

 

However, there is grace today if you will come to Jesus. The Bible says in  Eph. 2:1-10, “1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; 2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. 4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: 7 That in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”

 

There is hope if you will respond to His call. There is salvation for all who will come to Him by faith. The Bible says in Rom. 10:13, “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”  Wouldn't you rather have hope than Hell? Would you rather have the joy of salvation rather than the judgment of sin? You can, but you have to come to Jesus!

 

CONCLUSION:

 

We need to remember Lot's Wife and DO NOT TURN BACK FOR ANYTHING! Not so that we can revive an ages old, painful story, but so that we can be reminded that this life we are living is fleeting. It doesn't last very long. As you pass through this world, you can do nothing better than to come to faith in Jesus and be saved. The lesson from Lot's Wife is this: Take God at His Word! If He says it, then it will come to pass, and we all need to be ready to meet Him when that day comes. Hell is real! Judgment is real! Death is real! The only way to safely navigate your way past these stark realities is through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

If you are saved, but you are guilty of looking back at the world, and of living like the world, He has forgiveness and restoration for your soul. Whatever the need of your heart, there is help in Jesus. But, you will only get the help you need if you go to Him in true confession and repentance and faith.  If you are lost, like Lot's wife and you want to be saved, then you go to Jesus in repentance and faith, confessing your sin and accepting him as your Lord and Savior and He will save you. THEN DO NOT TURN BACK FOR ANYTHING!

 

DO YOU NEED SOME HELP?

To find more help in receiving Jesus Christ as your personal Savior please go to the Bible Study Title Page “ETERNAL LIFE.” Please send me an email and let me know about any decision for Christ you make so that I may pray for you. Feel free to send me any questions, comments, or responses you may have as well. For those who are already Christians I invite you to also please let me know of any decisions you make in your Christian life for Jesus. Please send me your questions, comments, or responses and let me know if the Bible Studies are helping you.

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ALWAYS REMEMBER!

The support of your local Church ministry and the ministry of your Pastor should be the first priority of your Christian life and your service to the Lord. Be faithful to prayerfully prepare and attend Sunday School and Worship Service this Sunday and participate in worship as your Pastor preaches the Word. Do not forget to give the Lord at least your TITHE through your local church from your gross income – that is your first fruits. Any other other giving is an offering to a ministry unto the Lord. Honor the Lord in all you do and with all that you have. Always remember that everything you have and all you are belongs to the Lord. It is on loan to you – so manage it well! There will be an audit one day! Make sure the Books Balance!

 

All Bible Studies Are Prepared by Pastor Frank Denning And May Be Be Used By Permission.