The term "Pillar of Salt" refers to the transformation of Lot's wife into a pillar of salt as a divine judgment for her disobedience during the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. This event is recorded in the Book of Genesis and serves as a powerful symbol of the consequences of disobedience and the importance of heeding God's commands.

Biblical Account

The narrative of Lot's wife turning into a pillar of salt is found in Genesis 19. As God prepared to destroy the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah due to their wickedness, He sent two angels to rescue Lot and his family. The angels instructed them to flee the city and not to look back. Genesis 19:17 states, "As soon as the men had brought them out, one of them said, 'Flee for your lives! Do not look back, and do not stop anywhere in the plain! Flee to the mountains, or you will be swept away!'"

Despite the clear warning, Lot's wife disobeyed. Genesis 19:26 records, "But Lot’s wife looked back, and she became a pillar of salt." Her transformation into a pillar of salt serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of disobedience to God's explicit instructions.

Symbolism and Interpretation

The transformation of Lot's wife into a pillar of salt has been interpreted in various ways throughout Christian history. It is often seen as a symbol of the dangers of longing for a sinful past and the importance of complete obedience to God. Her act of looking back is viewed as a sign of reluctance to leave behind a life steeped in sin and corruption.

In the New Testament, Jesus references Lot's wife as a warning to His followers. In Luke 17:32-33 , He says, "Remember Lot’s wife! Whoever tries to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life will preserve it." This reference underscores the importance of prioritizing spiritual obedience over earthly attachments.

Cultural and Historical Context

The region around the Dead Sea, where Sodom and Gomorrah were located, is known for its high salt content. This geographical detail lends a naturalistic element to the account, as the area is rich in salt formations. However, the transformation of Lot's wife is understood as a miraculous act of divine judgment rather than a natural occurrence.

Theological Implications

The account of Lot's wife serves as a theological lesson on the nature of divine judgment and mercy. While God provided a means of escape for Lot and his family, the consequence of disobedience was immediate and severe. This narrative emphasizes God's holiness and the seriousness with which He regards sin and rebellion.

The account also highlights the theme of separation from sin. Lot's wife's backward glance symbolizes a divided heart, torn between the sinful world she left behind and the salvation offered by God. Her fate serves as a cautionary tale for believers to fully commit to God's path without hesitation or regret.

Legacy and Influence

The phrase "pillar of salt" has entered common parlance as a metaphor for the consequences of looking back or failing to move forward in life. The account of Lot's wife continues to be a poignant reminder of the importance of obedience and the dangers of spiritual complacency.Pillar of Salt

PILLAR OF SALT

See SLIME; LOT.

We Should not Hastily Impute as Crimes to the Men of Old Time ...
... and these then conceived by their own father; and who left behind him within the
confines [of the land] his wife, [who remains] a pillar of salt unto this day. ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter xxxi we should not hastily.htm

The Turning Point
... That pillar of salt is the eloquent monitor to us to avoid delays when we are bidden
to flee for our lives. Sinner, dost thou wish to be a pillar of salt? ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 20 1874/the turning point.htm

Five Catechetical Lectures the Same Author,
... Was not he himself saved with his daughters, when he had gained the mountain, while
his wife became a pillar of salt, set up as a monument for ever, in ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/five catechetical lectures the same.htm

The Swift Destroyer
... upon the ground. But his wife looked back from behind him, and she became a
pillar of salt.'"Genesis 19:15-26. The religious significance ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the swift destroyer.htm

Chapter xix
... conflagration was slowly inundated. 26. And Lot's wife looked back from behind
him, and she became a pillar of salt. According to the words ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xix.htm

Lot's Flight from Sodom.
... Alas! that is Lot's wife; the angel had commanded them that none were to look
back, but she did so, and was turned into a pillar of salt. ...
/.../anonymous/mother stories from the old testament/lots flight from sodom.htm

How a Thing May be Involuntary.
... thought, since Lot's wife, who had merely voluntarily turned towards worldly wickedness,
He left a senseless mass, rendering her a pillar of salt, and fixed ...
/.../clement/the stromata or miscellanies/chapter xiv how a thing may.htm

The Disciple, -- Master, what is the Real Meaning of Service? is ...
... which they may be saved. They will be no better than Lot's wife who became
a pillar of salt (Genesis 19:26). But just as for your ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/singh/at the masters feet/section i the disciple 4.htm

Man's Life his Monument.
... memorial of white marble. The evil life stands too, like Lot's wife turned
to a pillar of salt, a monument of sin and disobedience. ...
/.../the life of duty a years plain sermons v 2/sermon xxxviii mans life his.htm

Continuation. Lot.
... himself and not continuing in agreement with him [as to the command which had been
given them], was made an example of, so as to be a pillar of salt unto this ...
/.../the first epistle of clement to the corinthians/chapter xi continuation lot.htm

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