Thursday 5 November 2026
- Bible Book:
- Genesis
Then the Lord rained on Sodom and Gomorrah sulphur and fire from the Lord out of heaven; and he overthrew those cities, and all the Plain, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and what grew on the ground. But Lot’s wife, behind him, looked back, and she became a pillar of salt. (vs 24-26)
Background
A few weeks ago, I read a tragic news story about a priest in Ecuador who died while presiding at Mass when a large wall-mounted crucifix fell on him. He had been preaching about the fleeting nature of life. I was deeply disturbed when some Christians immediately pronounced judgment on this man’s life, claiming the freak accident as an act of God. How could they know? Stories such as the one set for today are sometimes used to justify such conclusions and need to be handled carefully.
In Genesis 18, the Lord pronounces judgment on Sodom and Gomorrah because of their sin. Abraham pleads with God not to destroy Sodom if even ten righteous people remain. However, the Lord finds the city full of wickedness. The prophet Ezekiel describes the sin of Sodom in this way: "This was the guilt of your sister Sodom: she and her daughters had pride, excess of food, and prosperous ease, but did not aid the poor and needy." (Ezekiel 16:49). Only Lot, his wife and daughters escape, and Lot seems reluctant to be saved. He 'lingers' and has to be led out by the hand by the two men, now revealed as angels (verses 15-16).
The destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah is described graphically, with fire and sulphur raining from heaven. Despite the warning not to look back (v. 17), Lot’s wife does so and becomes a pillar of salt (v. 26). What should the reader make of such graphic and unlikely imagery? In Luke 17:31-33, Jesus mentions Lot’s wife as a warning to his followers to remain faithful and not look back.
The flood story in Genesis 8 similarly concerns God’s judgment on sin. Its turning point comes when “God remembered Noah,” a righteous man, and creation is saved. In this text, “God remembered Abraham” (v. 29), and Lot and his family are saved.
How we read stories like this depends on how we view Scripture. Is this an account of a literal event, or a cautionary tale teaching us about God, holiness, sin and mercy? Christians hold different views about Scripture, as described in the Methodist report from 1998, "A Lamp to my feet and a light to my path."
To Ponder:
- Is this a moral story about sin and judgment, or a story about salvation and hope? Or both? Where is the good news in this story?
- God remembered Abraham – and this was good news. In Luke's Gospel, when Jesus hung on the cross, a criminal at his side prayed, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." (Luke 23:42). Do you believe that God knows and remembers you – and how does that make you feel?
Prayer
Today I think of Jesus’ death on the cross and his compassion shown to the criminal who hung at his side. I pray with him, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." Amen.
Bible notes author: The Revd Kate Cambridge
Kate is a presbyter in the Winchester, Eastleigh and Romsey Circuit. In her free time she enjoys doing laundry (!), spending time with her family and wrestling ball point pens off her miniature poodle.