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Remember Lot’s wife
Monuments are structures erected to commemorate a person, group, or an event whose memory is deemed significant and worthy of preservation. They come in various forms like statues, war memorials, parks, and historical buildings.
Cape Coast,for example, boasts of several monuments such as the Castle used to hold slaves before they were loaded onto ships and sold in the Americas, especially the Caribbean. The “Gate of No Return” at the Castle through which captured slaves, the virile ones, of course, were herded to waiting vessels,was the last stop for these poor souls before crossing the Atlantic Ocean to be sold. The sad history has turned the Cape Coast Castle into a focal point of Pan-African history, and a venue of cultural and spiritual pilgrimage for Africans from the diaspora who troop in periodically to honour the memory of their ancestors.
There is also the Victoria Park which is said to hold the distinguished honour of being the first official grounds to host association football in Ghana, then known as the Gold Coast, and under British colonial rule. It was named after the British monarch at the time, Queen Victoria,said to have acceded, at least, in part, to a request by some Gold Coast patriots, to be granted access to some lands. As a token of appreciation, they established the park and erected the queen’s bust at the entrance.
One monument whose construction I cannot fathom is that of a huge crab at the city centre.The crustacean is the adopted mascot of Cape Coast,and it sits atop a huge platform erected near the London Bridge whose name deceives people until they visit the popular place and realise, to their chagrin, that it is nothing more than a culvert boldly emblazoned with the inscription: London Bridge. Back to the crab. Why that mascot? If you observe crabs in a container displaying their character, you would not recommend that anthropoid as a mascot. They all have PhDs.While one tries to climb to the top, another will pull him down. Under that circumstance, none of them makes it to the top.
In, perhaps, the shortest sermon He ever preached, Jesus points humanity to one monument whose significance transcends time into eternity. “Remember Lot’s Wife,” He said. What is it about Lot’s wife that we need to know? What has it got to do with all that I have been writing aforehand about monuments? What lesson do we have to take to heart about Lot’s wife?
First, God turned her into a monument in a split second for disobedience. A living, walking being was turned into a pillar of salt in a twinkling of an eye to remind succeeding generations of the abomination of Sodom and Gomorrah, and the punishment of those who have the slightest inclination towards those cities and what they represent.
For the sin of homosexuality, God literally rained fire on those cities and destroyed all except Lot, his wife, and three children. As Lot’s family were led out to safety,they were instructed not to look backward towards the doomed metropolis. But Lot’s wife disobeyed that instruction and paid the ultimate price for her action.Remember that she was not even a lesbian. She only showed an inclination towards the doomed cities. Of how much sorer punishment do you think practitioners are worthy?
Did you know that the word “sodomy” originated from the name of that city? From time immemorial, God has been frowning on the practice and has spelt out the penalty for those who brazenly flout His commandment.
When Ghanaians feared the Lord in days past, this shameful practice was alien to our culture. Of course, there was “supi,”a form of lesbianism among some girls in some secondary schools.Men with men doing the abominable was more under wraps in the closet. Now, that has changed. Everything is in the open and surprisingly, people who should know better are claiming that everyone has the right to love whoever they want. In accents louder than words, many respected people in academia, politics, media, and the legal profession among others, have lent their support to the aberration with their overt and subtle consent.
But the scriptures unequivocally declare that homosexuality is sin and punishable by eternal damnation. “Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practise homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, ESV.
In another passage, it is stated unambiguously: “For this reason, God gave them up to dishonourable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error. And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done …Romans 1:26-28, ESV. What could be clearer than this?
God says because men do not want to acknowledge His authority, He has given up on them to do what they want. But even then, once a person turns from it, God is more than willing to forgive and pardon.
To those who assault the integrity and trustworthiness of the Bible and argue that the story is just a fable, or a myth, may I submit that the authority, inerrancy, and sufficiency of the Bible is without debate. It is God’s literal words given to men by the inspiration of His Holy Spirit over different periods of time to record for humanity. It is for instruction in righteousness, correction, and reproof. In that respect, the Bible speaks with infallible divine authority in all matters upon which it touches, including homosexuality. Everything we need to know about God, about life – past, present, future – about eternal salvation and damnation, all these and more are contained in the scriptures.
Such people would do well to know that Jesus was a historical figure who alluded to Lot’s wife as well as the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah by literal fire. Besides, any time He makes a reference to an issue whose origin dates back to the Old Testament prophets before He appeared on the earth, He is authenticating the record. In fact, the Bible says if people refuse to believe its submissions, their unbelief would not invalidate the facts.
But why remember Lot’s wife?The Bible has become the focal point of the devil’s constant and relentless assault. Crass falsehood is spreading like wildfire and causing widespread rejection of the truth of God’s Word, leading to a pervasive deception of the masses by popular culture.
In view of the emerging liberal and non-literal interpretation of the Bible, and its attendant deception of the world, the words of the Lord Jesus Christ become all the more relevant for these ominous days.
The serpent is back in the garden spreading doubts and lies. The first question in the Bible was posed by the devil. When God specifically and explicitly warned Adam and Eve not to eat a particular fruit, the devil came and deceived the woman with a dubious question enquiring, “Has God really said?”He is at it again telling those who want to hear that God does not restrict the gender of their sexual partners to the opposite sex, and that man to man is just right with the Almighty.
Thank God for real men like Honourable Sam George the MP for Ningo/Prampram and the lead sponsor of the proposed anti-gay bill dubbed: The Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill, 2021.
Let it be trumpeted loud and clear that no amount of name-calling and threats emanating from a minority and their international partners can ever intimidate the right-thinking people of Ghana and compel them to condone that evil.
The proponents of that evil agenda allude to democracy and all its so-called freedoms, but they leave out the fact that under parliamentary democracy, the minority in a vote count accede to the majority. That is the rule, and it will apply in any vote concerning the issue.
Supporters of the LGBTQI are even arguing about rights. How audacious for mortal man to talk about rights in the kingdom of the great God who declares forcefully that the earth and all its fulness belong to Him! He is an absolute monarch and has set His rules to govern His kingdom.
To think that God would condone same-sex marriage is an illusion and trance. It is the foulest delusion that ever cheated the hopes of men. With submissions impossible to refute, the Bible reduces the argument to an absurdity.It is Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve. Period!
“For the sin of homosexuality, God literally rained fire on those cities and destroyed all except Lot, his wife, and three children. As Lot’s family were led out to safety,they were instructed not to look backward towards the doomed metropolis. But Lot’s wife disobeyed that instruction and paid the ultimate price for her action. Remember that she was not even a lesbian. She only showed an inclination towards the doomed cities. Of how much sorer punishment do you think practitioners are worthy?”
Contact: teepeejubilee@yahoo. co.uk
By Tony Prempeh
THE state of feeling rejected, could be a terrifying experience especially for those who have become used to fame. If not properly addressed, it could lead to depression and the consequences, could be disastrous.
When you are on top of your game in whatever profession you find yourself such that you become famous, a lot of people try to associate with you. The phone never ceases to ring and one is tempted to feel loved and very important.
When a disaster strikes and the fame or the money which was the source of the attraction fades away, the circle of friends and fans begin to shrink and the phone will start to stop ringing until the call stops voting completely.
You will be shocked at how people you considered friends, will no longer be calling you or pay casual visits as they used to. You will begin to notice that messages you leave after calling them and not getting a response are not replied to and that is when you begin to know who your true friends are.
One of the most popular movie stars was an actress called Sharon Stone. In an interview with one of the media houses that was published, she spoke about how people who should have come around to encourage her in her moment of depression, shunned her. The calls stopped coming.
This is what the Bible admonishes that the arm of flesh will fail you and therefore we should put our trust in God. It could be a very frightening experience and can easily lead to depression.
Human nature being what it is, people will want to get close if things are okay. Everybody wants to associate themselves with interesting things, famous people, rich people etc for mainly selfish reasons.
We need to develop the habit of putting our trust in God and relying less on human beings. The lesson we have to take along in life is that, no one marries his or her enemy so how come people who took vows that they will love each other become so hostile to each other that they want to go their separate ways in life? Such is the reality of life.
It is therefore prudent for people to recognise that, life is full of uncertainties and so there is the need to prepare your mind for uncertainties so that when they occur, they do not disorganise your mental sanity.
A lot of people have experienced situations where people who they could have sworn will never betray their trust have disappointed them when they were through challenging moments.
If there is one thing famous people should desire, it should be the ability to identify who are true friends are. Countless stories abound regarding incidence of celebrities who have lost their shine and their wives divorcing them soon after.
It is sometimes useful as a famous or rich person to sign a prenuptial agreement before marriage to safeguard or protect yourself from any future unpleasant surprises.
People can be very pretentious these days, it goes both ways. There is this real life story where a man married a divorced wealthy woman and convinced her to sell her house so they could build a new one together, with the excuse that people are gossiping that he is being housed by a woman.
The woman agreed and they put up a new building. After a few years the man asked for a divorce, only for the woman to realise that the land on which the building was situated, was bought in the man’s name.
This can drive a person insane, if you are not mentally tough and this happens to you. When people hear that you are homeless, a lot of your so-called friends will stop calling, so that you do not become a burden on them.
By Laud Kissi-Mensah
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‘But, er …. I don’t even know your name’.
‘Paul. Paul Allotey. I’m Sarah, by the way. Paul, why don’t you leave me here, since this is the last important thing I’m doing today’.
‘Okay. Now Sarah. I was just thinking. You will be here at the cafe for about an hour. By then it will be about twelve thirty. Then, you would be thinking of buying yourself some lunch, to eat here or to take home. So if you would please allow me, I will take you to one of the nicest eating places in town, and after you have sorted that one out, then I can drop you home. Just that one errand, then I won’t bother you again’.
‘You are not bothering me at all. You are being very kind to me. And I just realised you are a mind reader too. The last item on my agenda was lunch’.
‘I’m so glad I appeared at your doorstep, just in time’.
‘Okay. Now Paul, since you say the cafe is a comfortable place, let’s go in together, and you can do your work while I get my application done’.
‘Okay, Sarah. Thanks. Let’s go’.
We got back in the car at eleven forty-five.
‘So where are we going, Paul?’
‘To Royalty restaurant. It’s a twenty minute drive away’.
‘So, do you enjoy your job?’
‘Most certainly. I won’t change it, not even to be President. And am I right to say that you are preparing to enter the university?’
‘That’s my plan. I hope it works’.
‘It will, if you are determined, and disciplined. You look very much like a disciplined person’.
‘Thank you very much’.
We arrived at Royalty in twenty-five minutes, ‘You are joining me for lunch, Paul’.
‘Thanks for the honour, Sarah. But the bill is on me’.
‘Aren’t you taking on too much for one day?’
‘I never do anything that is bigger than me, Sarah’.
Over the next hour and a half, we discussed fashion, local and international politics, and sports, as we ate and relaxed. Finally, he drove me to the shop.
‘I will never forget you, Paul’.
‘I’m glad to have been helpful. But if you don’t mind, I’ll say it again, your husband is extremely lucky. You are really beautiful’.
‘Thanks again. But do you mind if I call you sometime in the future?’
‘Certainly not. Let me write it here. I will not ask for your number, for obvious reasons. But I will be looking forward to hearing from you. And hopefully, I will see you next month, when I call to drop your bill’.
‘Okay Paul. See you then’. What a lovely day, I said to myself as I opened the front door. I closed the shop and got home by seven. I went straight to the bedroom, stood in the mirror and took a good look at myself. ‘You are a very beautiful woman, Sarah. Never forget that’. I will not forget that, again.
Over the next several weeks, Martin and I had very little to do with each other. In the morning he ate his breakfast and after a shabby ‘I’m going’, he left. He came home around eight at the earliest, ate his dinner and, already soaked in beer, went off to sleep.
He spent the greater part of the weekends at the club house with his friends, playing tennis and partying. My mind was focused on furthering my education, so I didn’t complain to him, and didn’t bother to inform my parents about what was happening. I had decided that I would only take action if he lifted his hand against me again. I spent my free time reading all manner of interesting stuff on the internet, and chatting with my sister on WhatsApp.
One evening, he came home at about eight, rushed to the bedroom and rushed out. An envelope, obviously containing money, dropped out of his pocket, and I picked it up and followed him. I was going to call him and give it to him, but I noticed that there was a young woman in the car, so I went back in, counted it and put it in a drawer in the hall. He came back after some ten minutes.
‘Excuse me, I dropped an envelope containing money. You must have seen it’.
‘Yes, I saw it. Actually, I followed you, and was about to call you and hand it over to you when I realised that there was a woman in the car, so I came back in. I counted it. One thousand cedis.
‘Well let me have it. I have to be going’.
‘I will let you have it if you will tell me who the woman in the car is, and why you are going to give her that amount of money’.
‘Listen, if you waste my time, I will teach you a lesson you will never forget. Give me the money now!’
‘Here’s what we will do, Martin. I know you will give money to her anyway, so I will give it to you, if you will withdraw the threat you just issued. But I want you to know that I will be taking some steps from tomorrow. Things are getting out of hand’.
‘Okay, I’m sorry I threatened you. Can you please give me the money’. I handed it over to him, and he ran out’.
The following morning, I waited for him to finish having breakfast, and told him I wanted to have a word with him urgently.
‘You better be quick. You know I’m going to work’.
‘Well, I want to inform you that I will inform my parents, and your parents, about the situation in this house. As I said yesterday, things are getting out of hand. You spend most of your time drinking. You get drunk every evening, and through the weekend. And you are also spending your time and money on a prostitute’.
‘How dare you? One more stupid word from you …’
‘Am I lying, Martin? You have just started life, yet you are behaving like a rich, elderly man who has already seen his children through university, and can afford a life of fun. As I said, I’m going to inform our parents. Maybe your parents can straighten you out before it is too late’.
‘Look, we can talk this evening. It’s nothing like what you are saying’. He walked away, shocked.
That evening, I was expecting to have a meaningful discussion with him, but his mother called early in the evening to offer me some ‘advice’. Her son had called to say that certain developments at home were disturbing him so much that they were beginning to affect his work.
And, ‘as a loving mother to her daughter’, she was advising me to submit to my husband, and support him in prayer, and not ‘drive him from home’. Men would always be men, and she was telling me ‘from experience’ that no matter how much time Martin stayed away from home, he would always come home to me.
She had been a young wife before, so she understood the challenges I was facing. So I could be assured that if I followed her advice, all would be well. And, of course, she didn’t allow me to tell my side of the story.
Martin came home very late, and very drunk. And from the next morning, he carried on as before. With some hesitation, I called my dad and told him all that had gone on.
‘Well, my daughter. I’m not going to say “I told you so”. I was only trying to protect you. So here’s what we’ll do. Continue doing the best you can, and try not to give him any excuse to harm you, but if things continue to deteriorate, I will take you back.
A couple of days later, my cousin Dinah arrived in Accra from Brussels, having completed her medical course. With Martin’s agreement, I went to Koforidua and spent a couple of days. I spent most of the time chatting about her experiences in the US, but we also discussed my relationship with Martin, and she endorsed Dad’s decision to take action if Martin’s behaviour did not change after two weeks Elaine informed Mom and Dad. We endorsed Dad’s decision to take action if there was no change in two weeks.
Dinah returned with me to Takoradi. Her plan was to spend a couple of weeks, and return to Accra to be posted. I called Paul Allotey, and asked if he would meet her for lunch and, if possible, show her some interesting spots. Delighted, he suggested that we meet at Royalty the next day.
I told Martin about it, to remove any possibility of future disagreement over ‘going out with men’.
‘It’s fine with me’, he said, ‘if, of all the people who could show your sister round this town, you chose a borla man. Doesn’t that indicate the kind of person you are?’
‘ First of all, Martin’, I’ve spoken to him a few times, and he comes across as a decent guy, so I think it is rather unfortunate that you are writing him off when you don’t know him’.
By Ekow de Heer
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