Article August 29, 1903 Issue

The Flesh-Pots of Egypt

W. C.

In searching for the "Promised Land" is it not a frequent experience to find ourselves reverting in memory to the "fleshpots of Egypt," as we encounter new and severer trials? Our first expectation was to reach the land flowing with milk and honey as soon as we made some special and convincing demonstration. With characteristic short-sightedness the ordinary mortal expects his escape from bondage to result in immediate and final happiness, and so the "Marah" and the "fiery serpents" come as startling surprises.

In our fight against more serious evils we sometimes forget our former servitude to the petty taskmasters,—fear, fretfulness, complaint, and selfishness. Then most of our time was spent in such service. But the fighting in the wilderness is against greater foes and requires much valor. At times our advance is so slow that we fail to realize that we are making any real gain.

One who has been emancipated from a continual belief in colds, for instance, and who has perhaps been entirely free for months or years, becomes greatly disturbed at finding himself momentarily overtaken by the old enemy. He forgets for the moment how glorious his sense of freedom has been since his captivity, and he is tempted to think with regret of the former days in which there was no demand upon him for a continuous warfare to maintain his position. The disheartened murmurer feels that it would be far easier to sit down by the "fleshpots" and submit to the taskmaster with a hopeless contentment. The Saviour emphasized the significance of this temptation when he said, "No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God."

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