The words, “Looking Back” sounds like two or three or four old farmers who are church goers talking about the past. It is a good thing to remember the past except for when God has said, “Do not look back.” That was the case with Lot, his wife, and his daughters.

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. Haste thee, escape thither; for I cannot do any thing till thou be come thither.” Therefore the name of the city was called Zoar. The sun was risen upon the earth when Lot entered into Zoar.  Then the LORD rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone 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 that which grew upon the ground.  But his wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt.
Genesis 19:21-26

In verse 17 of Genesis 19 the messenger of the Lord had told Lot, “Escape for your life. Look not behind you.”  Is not looking behind and looking back the same thing? It seems so to me.  But who am I? What do I know?  I do know this, and that is that Jesus said, “Remember Lot’s wife”  (Luke 17:32).

Now Lot’s wife is now an example of how we are not to be. We are to obey the Lord in all things.  We cannot expect the blessings of the Lord in disobedience.

Why did Lot’s wife look behind her? It could have been the “friends she had left behind, and the city was being destroyed along with all her friends. It could also have been she was leaving some married daughters, and their husbands behind. Whatever the reason it was not a good enough reason for disobedience.  It would probably be called loving the world more than God.

Looking back is not good for a farmer plowing a field, if he wants a straight row.  Jesus also tells us, “No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” (Luke 9:62),  When it comes to life, sin and death, and the judgment of God is would do us good to hear God, obey Him, and do His bidding.

The Christian life should be looking forward; forward to souls being saved, sanctified, and secure in their faith.  Also we should be looking forward to the return of Jesus Christ keeping ourselves ready for His appearing (1 John 3:1-3).

Lot’s wife became in her death what she had never been in her life. What is that?  Salt.