By Dr. Verlyn Fontaine Waterman | Who Is She! Blog
The story of Lot’s wife, found in Genesis 19:26, serves as a powerful allegory about the dangers of clinging to a past that God has chosen to leave behind. Although her name is not recorded in Scripture, Lot’s wife represents those who remain attached to familiar, yet spiritually corrupt ways—even when divine intervention calls for complete transformation. When God warned Lot and his family to flee Sodom without looking back, Lot’s wife disobeyed by glancing back at the city she was leaving behind. The moment she did, she was transformed into a pillar of salt, a stark symbol of how holding on to the old can immobilize us and prevent us from embracing a new destiny.
Why Did She Look Back?
In her final act, Lot’s wife looked back not out of curiosity, but because she was deeply attached to what Sodom represented—security, memory, and a life she knew, even if it was steeped in corruption. Her backward glance can be seen as a metaphor for the human tendency to resist change, to cling to familiar patterns, or to mourn the loss of what once was, even when God is calling us into something far greater.
Contrast with Joseph: Moving Forward into Destiny
Consider the story of Joseph. Despite experiencing betrayal, hardship, and false accusations, Joseph never allowed the weight of his past to define him. Instead, he embraced God’s plan with unyielding faith. As detailed in Genesis 41, Joseph’s forward-looking trust in God propelled him from a prisoner to the second most powerful man in Egypt—ushering him into a purpose that would ultimately save countless lives. His journey exemplifies that divine transformation requires leaving behind the chains of past experiences to fully embrace the future God has prepared.
The Divine Shift: A Spiritual and Philosophical Perspective
Scripture instructs us in Isaiah 43:18, “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.” This call to release what is behind is not just practical advice—it is a spiritual mandate. The divine shift is the moment when we stop clinging to outdated identities and limitations, and instead, allow ourselves to be remade in the image of God’s purpose for our lives. When we do this, we become like Joseph, whose life was transformed by focusing on the promise of what was to come rather than the pain of what had been.
Philosophically, the act of “not looking back” is about embracing a mindset of constant renewal. It means understanding that every ending God orchestrates is designed to lead to a new beginning. The ramifications of dwelling on the past—like Lot’s wife—can result in stagnation or even spiritual decay. In contrast, moving forward allows us to tap into the creative power of God’s word, transforming our lives in ways that honor Him.
Consequences and Spiritual Truth
The consequence of Lot’s wife’s backward glance was immediate and irreversible: she was frozen in a moment of disobedience, unable to experience the fullness of God’s promise. In our lives, when we allow our hearts to remain tethered to the past, we risk missing out on the transformative work that God is eager to do. Joseph’s life, however, reminds us that true transformation requires a willingness to let go of what no longer serves us and to trust in God’s redemptive plan. His example calls us to step boldly into the future, accepting that the journey of transformation—though it may begin abruptly—is paved with God’s sustaining power and promise.
Final Reflection
Both stories teach us a critical lesson: to experience the fullness of God’s transformative power, we must be willing to leave the past behind. Lot’s wife symbolizes the peril of looking back, of holding on to what is familiar even when it leads to spiritual stagnation. Joseph, on the other hand, embodies the power of forward movement—a resolute commitment to God’s truth that propels us into new realms of purpose and promise.
May we learn from these narratives. Let us not be defined by our former lives or the remnants of past mistakes. Instead, may we, like Joseph, embrace the divine shift, pressing onward with faith and courage, so that the future God has prepared for us may unfold in its full, glorious purpose.
Scriptural References:
• Genesis 19:26 – The fate of Lot’s wife
• Genesis 41 – Joseph’s rise from hardship to destiny
• Isaiah 43:18 – “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.”
• John 8:32 – “You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
Embrace the truth, let go of what holds you back, and step confidently into the future that God has lovingly prepared.
Dr. Verlyn