"Escape for thy life; look not behind thee."--_Genesis 19:17._
THERE was a beautiful valley, with steep hills shutting it in on all
sides, and a clear swift river running through the midst and spreading
into a lake. There were fine fields and rich grass, where sheep, cows,
and goats could feed, and the shepherds shelter themselves under the
palm trees; and on the bank of the river were five cities, with strong
walls round them, and full of rich people, who bought and sold and made
merry with the good things they possessed. There was one man living
among them who was good, and was grieved by the wicked ways of the men
round him, who only laughed at him if he tried to tell them of better
things. One evening two strangers came into the city where he lived,
and he was the only person who would take them in, and shelter them
from the wicked people in the street.
Those strangers told him the place was to be destroyed, with all that
were in it, because it was so wicked! Though the fields looked so
quiet, the walls so strong, and the sun had gone down as usual, all
would be ruined in a few hours' time! Then the strangers took hold of
him, and his wife and daughters, and led them almost by force away from
their home in the dawn of morning, bidding them escape for their lives
to the mountain, and not look back. They were frightened, and begged
not to have to go so far as the wild mountain. Might they not go to the
little city near at hand? And their wish was granted.
[Illustration: LOT AND HIS FAMILY FLEEING FROM SODOM--Gen. 19:24-26.]
Just as the sun had risen they entered the little city for which they
had begged; and as soon as they were safe the four towns, that had
seemed so strong and firm, were all burning with fire and brimstone;
and all the sinners who had mocked at warning were soon lying dead
under God's awful anger! Four alone had been led out of the city by
the strangers, but even of these only three came into the city of
refuge. The wife did not heed the warning not to linger nor look back,
the deadly storm overtook her, and she remained rooted to the spot--a
pillar of salt!
The names of those cities were Sodom and Gomorrah, and the one good
man who was saved by the mercy of God was named Lot. And now a strange
gloomy lake called the Dead Sea covers that valley with its heavy
waters, and the bare rocky hills, crusted with salt, show that the
curse of God is on the place.
Let us try to carry home one thought from this terrible history. This
world will one day be burnt up like those cities, and its looking safe
and prosperous now does not make it safe. But God sends messengers to
lead us out of it. If we attend to them, and follow their advice, we
shall through all our lives be getting out of danger, and going on to
a safe home in heaven; but if we care only for pleasant things here,
it is like looking back, and our souls will perish with what they
love. That is why our Saviour bade us "Remember Lot's wife." We should
remember her when we are tempted to think it hard to give up anything
pleasant, because we are told that it is wrong, and may put us in
danger of God's anger.