The story of Lot’s wife is a sobering reminder of the dangers of looking back when Yahweh calls us to move forward. In Genesis 19, we find Lot and his family living in Sodom, a city overrun by wickedness and destined for destruction. The Sovereign, in His mercy, sends angels to rescue them, instructing them to flee the city without hesitation and, most importantly, not to look back. Tragically, Lot’s wife disobeyed. She turned to look back at the life she was leaving, and in that moment, she was turned into a pillar of salt—calcified, immobilized, and forever stuck in a place she was only supposed to pass through. Are you feeling stuck or calcified?
Lot’s wife serves as a poignant example of what happens when we resist the Almighty’s call to move forward. Her longing for the past tethered her to a place of destruction, preventing her from reaching the safety and provision the Eternal had prepared ahead. Her story speaks to a universal struggle: the temptation to cling to what we know, even when YHVH is urging us toward something better. It challenges us to examine our own lives and ask whether we are holding onto something He is asking us to leave behind.
YHVH has a plan, a purpose, and provision for each of us, and these are often found in the future, not the past. Jeremiah 29:11 reminds us, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares Elohim, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Yet moving forward requires trust, especially when the path ahead is uncertain. It’s natural to feel hesitant about stepping into the unknown, but faith calls us to trust that YHVH’s plans are always for our good, even when we can’t see the full picture.
One of the reasons we struggle to let go of the past is that it often feels more secure than the unknown. This is particularly true if our past has been shaped by trauma, pain, or disappointment. Dysfunction, even when it’s harmful, can feel strangely comforting simply because it’s familiar. Whether it’s an unhealthy relationship, a destructive habit, or a mindset shaped by fear or bitterness, we can find ourselves clinging to what we know rather than embracing the freedom the God of Israel offers. The unknown can feel daunting, but staying in dysfunction prevents us from experiencing the abundant life the Almighty has in store.
Lot’s wife wasn’t punished simply for glancing back; her look reflected a deeper issue—a heart still tied to Sodom, that which was familiar. She longed for what she was leaving behind, unable to fully trust Yahweh’s promise of safety and provision in the hills ahead. Her hesitation became her downfall, and she became a permanent monument to the danger of resisting the Eternal’s direction. Her story is a stark warning for us to guard against the same mistake.
The call to move forward is a call to trust. Just as YHVH provided manna for the Israelites during their journey through the wilderness, He promises to provide for us step by step. His provision may not always come in the way we expect, but it will always be enough. The challenge is to trust Him, even when the future feels uncertain. When we hold onto the past, we risk missing out on the new things He wants to do in our lives.
Isaiah 43:18-19 captures this beautifully: “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”
YHVH is always working to bring about new life and new opportunities, but we must be willing to release the old to embrace the new. This often requires courage and faith, especially when the old feels comfortable and the new feels uncertain.
Moving forward also means surrendering control. We may not always understand why Elohim asks us to leave certain things behind, but we can trust that His perspective is greater than ours. He sees the full picture when we can only see a fragment. When we resist His call to move forward, we are essentially saying that we trust our own judgment more than His. But as Proverbs 3:5-6 reminds us, “Trust in Elohim with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”
There’s also a lesson here about priorities. When we hold onto the past, we reveal what we truly value. Lot’s wife valued the life she was leaving behind more than the promise of safety and a new beginning. Her attachment to Sodom outweighed her trust in the Eternal. Similarly, we must ask ourselves whether our priorities align with YHVH’s. Are we more attached to our past successes, comforts, or even struggles than we are to His plans for our future? If so, we risk calcifying like Lot’s wife, stuck in a place He meant for us to pass through.
The apostle Paul offers a powerful perspective in Philippians 3:13-14: “But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which Yahweh has called me heavenward in Messiah Y’shua.” Paul understood that looking back would only hinder his progress toward the life YHVH had called him to. His words challenge us to adopt the same mindset, focusing on what lies ahead rather than what we’re leaving behind.
If God is calling you to leave something behind, take heart. His plans for you are good, and His provision is faithful. The unknown may feel intimidating, but His promises are sure. Trust Him to lead you into the freedom and purpose He has prepared. Remember, Lot’s wife wasn’t meant to stay in Sodom; she was meant to move forward to safety and new blessed life. The same is true for us. We weren’t meant to stay stuck in the past or in places of dysfunction. We were meant to move forward into the abundant life YHVH has planned.
So, don’t look back. Let go of what is behind and fix your eyes on what lies ahead. Trust that the same God who calls you forward will sustain you every step of the way. Whatever you’re leaving behind, know that what He has for you is far better than anything you could imagine. Embrace the freedom and purpose that come from walking in obedience to His Word and call. Blessings.
