Bad Girls of the Bible-Lot’s Wife

Hello Divas! Welcome to our weekly discussion on our Fall Bible Study Bad Girls of the Bible by Liz Curtis Higgs!  If you didn’t know it before, you surely know it now….the Bible is a very interesting read!  There is drama, sensuality, suspense, action, and mystery.  Move over reality TV hello God’s Word.

Our Bad Girl of the week is another woman only known by her husband’s name…Lot’s wife.  Her story is found in Genesis chapter 19.  Just like Mrs. P (Potiphar’s Wife), Lot’s wife probably enjoyed the lifestyle that her husband’s prosperity afforded her.  Unlike Mrs. P, Mrs. Lot was not a desperate housewife.  Lot’s wife was a pillar in the community who ultimately turned into a pillar of salt.

The two angels arrived at Sodom in the evening, and Lot was sitting in the gateway of the city……Genesis 19:1

The fact that Lot was sitting at the city gate tells a little something about his high position in Sodom.

Before they had gone to bed, all the men from every part of the city of Sodom—both young and old—surrounded the house. They called to Lot, “Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us so that we can have sex with them.” Genesis 19:4-5

Huh? Pump da brakes.  Did the MEN of the town just tell Lot to bring the two MEN in his home out so that they could have sex with them?  Are we reading the bible?

Yes divas we are reading the Bible.  The Word even warned us about Sodom when Lot chose to pitch his tent in the direction of Sodom when he and his Uncle Abraham decided to part ways.  “the men of Sodom were wicked and were sinning greatly against the Lord” (Genesis 13:1)

But girlfriends, what Lot suggested next made me throw up a little in the back of my throat.

No, my friends. Don’t do this wicked thing. Look, I have two daughters who have never slept with a man. Let me bring them out to you, and you can do what you like with them. Genesis 19:7-8

Whaaaaaaaaaaat? I have no words.

Just as the men of the town attempted to break Lot’s door down, the angels saved the day by striking the sex-crazed men at the door blind. (Genesis 19:11)

At dawn, the angels urged Lot, “Hurry! Take your wife and your two daughters who are here, or you will be swept away” (Genesis 19:15).

But Lot and his family hesitated. Actually, Genesis 19:16 in the Message says:  “Lot was dragging his feet”.

Dragging his feet? Didn’t they just see these two men save them from the sex crazed men of the town?

Yes, and they still hesitated.  Lot procrastinated and most likely tried to rationalize how he could stay AND save the town.

I go through rounds of mental gymnastics when I KNOW there is something I need to do but it is going to cost me.

So….The angels grabbed Lot and his family by the hands “and led them safely out of the city, for the Lord was merciful to them” (Genesis 19:16).

After leading them literally by the hands, the angels gave them the following directive:  Flee for your lives! Don’t look back (Genesis 19:17)

But Lot’s wife looked back and she became a pillar of salt. (Genesis 19:26)

Many reasons are speculated as to why Lot’s wife looked back.  Family, possessions, and comfort are just a few that pop into my mind.

Before we judge her we must get gut honest with how we would respond if God asked us to leave our lives as we know them and just trust that things will work out.

Much later in the book of Luke, Jesus used Lot’s wife as an example to the disciples and to us about His return to earth:

“……On that day a person out on the deck of a roof must not go down into the house to pack. A person out in the field must not return home. Remember what happened to Lot’s wife! If you cling to your life, you will lose it, and if you let your life go, you will save it.”

Luke 17:31-33

Discussion question:

If God asked you to walk away from something for your own good, what would be your response? What would be the hardest person,place or thing for you to walk away from? (Tell me in the comments)

Homework for this week:  Read Chapter 2 and 3 (If you want to go deeper in study, complete the study guide questions at the back of the book.)