How reluctant was Lot to obey the angel and go as far as possible from corrupt Sodom, appointed to utter destruction! He distrusted God and pleaded to remain. Living in the wicked city had weakened his faith and confidence in the justice of the Lord. He pleaded that he could not do as he was required, lest some evil should overtake him, and he should die. Angels were sent on a special mission to save the lives of Lot and his family; but Lot had so long been surrounded by corrupting influences that his sensibilities were blunted, and he could not discern the works of God and His purposes; he could not trust himself in His hands to do His bidding. He was continually pleading for himself, and this unbelief cost him the life of his wife. She looked back to Sodom, and, murmuring against the dealings of God, she was changed to a pillar of salt, that she might stand as a warning to all those who disregard the special mercies and providences of Heaven. After this terrible retribution, Lot no longer dared to linger by the way, but fled into the mountains, according to the direction of the angels. The sinful conduct of his daughters after leaving Sodom was the result of wicked associations while there. The sense of right and wrong was confused in their minds, and sin did not appear as sin to them. {4T 111.3}

Hvor uvillig var Lot ikke at adlyde englen og tage længst muligt væk fra fordærvede Sodoma, der var udpeget til fuldstændig ødelæggelse! Han havde ikke tiltro til Gud og bad om at blive. Livet i den onde by havde svækket hans tro og tillid til Herrens retfærdighed. Han bad om at ikke gøre det han var pålagt, medmindre noget ondt ville ramme ham og han skulle dø. Engle blev sendt på den særlige mission at redde Lot og hans families liv; men Lot var så længe blevet omgivet af fordærvende påvirkninger at hans sanser var sløvet og han kunne ikke skelne mellem Guds gerninger og hans hensigter; han kunne ikke lægge sig selv over i Guds hænder og gøre hans befalinger. Han bad hele tiden for sig selv og denne vantro kostede ham hans hustrus liv. Hun så tilbage på Sodoma og, under knurren imod Guds handlemåde, blev hun forvandlet til en saltstøtte, så hun kunne stå til advarsel for alle dem, der ignorerer himlens særlige nådegaver og forsyn. (112) Efter denne frygtelige straf, vovede Lot ikke længere at tøve på vejen, men flygtede op i bjergene, ifølge englenes anvisning. Hans døtres syndige opførsel, efter at de havde forladt Sodoma, var følgen af de onde selskaber, medens de var dér. Fornemmelsen af rigtigt og forkert var blevet omtåget for dem og synd viste sig ikke som synd for dem.