God called Abraham out of Ur of the Chaldeans in Mesopotamia (Babylonia) to go to Canaan, now known as Israel. Abraham took his wife Sarah and his nephew Lot with him. Both Abraham and Lot were wealthy and had many possessions and livestock. Along the way Abraham’s herdsmen argued and fought with Lot’s herdsman. When they arrived in Canaan, Abraham said to Lot, “Let’s not have any quarreling between you and me, or between your herders and mine, for we are close relatives. Is not the whole land before you? Let’s part company. If you go to the left, I’ll go to the right; if you go to the right, I’ll go to the left” (Genesis 13:8-9). Lot chose the whole plain of the Jordan River, which was well watered, like the garden of the Lord.
I have thought that Sodom and Gomorrah were located south of the Dead Sea, but the Biblical account here indicates that Lot settled in the Jordan valley. It is believed that the place he chose is north and east of Jerusalem, on the east side of the Jordan River and north of the Dead Sea.
There is archeological evidence of a great fire in this area during the time when the angels practically had to drag Lot, his wife and two daughters out of Sodom. They were told to get out of town and not to look back. It’s possible that Lot’s wife was from this area, and that it was the only life she knew. Most likely she enjoyed the good life of the rich and famous. I believe she left her heart in Sodom. She had no time to plan or pack. She had to hurry and get out of her home before it was destroyed. Evidence proves that she did not go willingly and she did not believe the angels. When she and her family arrived at Zoar, she looked back and became a pillar of salt.
It makes sense that the southern Jordan valley just north of the Dead Sea would have salt deposits and that Lot’s wife could have turned to salt in her unbelief. She paid a huge price for not believing in the God of Abraham and Lot.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for the rich history of the Holy Lands. Help us to learn from the people who lived there. Transform our unbelief into a greater faith in you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
A Closer Walk with God 