Definition and Context:

The term "flesh-pots" refers to pots or containers used for cooking meat. In the biblical context, it is most notably mentioned in the book of Exodus, where it symbolizes the abundance and relative comfort the Israelites experienced in Egypt, despite their bondage. The term is often used metaphorically to represent a longing for material or physical satisfaction, sometimes at the expense of spiritual or moral values.

Biblical Reference:

The primary reference to flesh-pots is found in Exodus 16:3 : "If only we had died by the LORD’s hand in the land of Egypt, where we sat by pots of meat and ate our fill of bread! But you have brought us into this desert to starve this whole assembly to death."

Historical and Cultural Background:

In ancient Egypt, meat was a significant part of the diet for those who could afford it, and the Israelites, while enslaved, had access to these flesh-pots, which provided them with sustenance. The mention of flesh-pots in Exodus highlights the Israelites' struggle between their physical needs and their spiritual journey. It underscores the tension between the comfort of the known past and the uncertainty of the future promised by God.

Theological Significance:

From a theological perspective, the reference to flesh-pots serves as a reminder of the human tendency to prioritize immediate physical needs over spiritual growth and obedience to God. The Israelites' longing for the flesh-pots of Egypt reflects a lack of faith and trust in God's provision. It illustrates the challenge of leaving behind the old life of sin and bondage for the new life of freedom and faith in God's promises.

Moral and Spiritual Lessons:

The narrative of the flesh-pots teaches several moral and spiritual lessons:

1. Contentment and Trust in God: The Israelites' desire for the flesh-pots of Egypt reveals a lack of contentment and trust in God's provision. Believers are encouraged to trust in God's plan and provision, even when the path seems uncertain or difficult.

2. The Danger of Nostalgia: The longing for the flesh-pots represents a dangerous nostalgia for the past, which can hinder spiritual progress. It serves as a warning against romanticizing past comforts that were part of a life of bondage and sin.

3. Spiritual Prioritization: The account challenges believers to prioritize spiritual nourishment over physical desires. It calls for a focus on the eternal promises of God rather than temporary, worldly satisfactions.

Application for Believers:

In contemporary Christian life, the concept of flesh-pots can be applied to any situation where believers are tempted to revert to old habits or lifestyles that are contrary to their faith. It serves as a call to remain steadfast in the journey of faith, trusting in God's provision and guidance, and seeking spiritual fulfillment over material or physical comfort.

The Birthnight of Freedom
... There they have been eating and drinking their fill, and growing more weak, slavish,
luxurious, fonder and fonder of the flesh-pots of Egypt; fattening ...
/.../kingsley/the gospel of the pentateuch/sermon xii the birthnight of.htm

September the Twenty-Eighth the Daily Manna
... 11-18. And this gracious provision is made for people who are complaining,
and who are sighing for the flesh-pots of Egypt! Our ...
/.../september the twenty-eighth the daily.htm

Discipline
... Because there were no graves in Egypt, hast thou brought us forth to die in the
wilderness?' 'Whose highest wish on earth was to sit by the fleshpots of Egypt ...
/.../kingsley/discipline and other sermons/sermon i discipline.htm

Christ Our Passover
... snows, yet we have never since that time gone back to Egypt; although our hearts
may sometimes have desired the leeks, the onions, and the flesh-pots of Egypt ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/christ our passover.htm

Christ the Bread of Life.
... above. When he seeks to gratify the cravings of his carnal nature by turning
back to the flesh-pots of Egypt, he languishes and dies. ...
/.../ii christ the bread of life.htm

Instructions for those who have Attained to the Prayer of Quiet. ...
... of this state"to know and make much of themselves, with a humble and holy presumption,
in order that they may never return to the flesh-pots of Egypt. ...
/.../teresa/the life of st teresa of jesus/chapter xv instructions for those.htm

The Bread of God
... They wish to get back to the flesh-pots, of which the savour is in their nostrils,
and they have forgotten the bitter sauce of affliction. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the bread of god.htm

Concluding Reflections. Faith and Criticism.
... Protestants, having safely crossed the Red Sea, cannot go back to the flesh-pots
of the land of bondage, but must look forward to the land of promise. ...
/.../section 102 concluding reflections faith.htm

Letter cxxviii. To Gaudentius.
... When they longed for the fleshpots of Egypt He sent them flights of quails
and allowed them to gorge themselves until they were sick. ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter cxxviii to gaudentius.htm

Serapion: Everybody is Perfectly Agreed that There are Eight ...
... And this has happened in a figure, in those who after having gone forth into the
desert of virtue again hanker after the flesh pots over which they sat in Egypt ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter xviii serapion everybody is.htm

Fleshpots (1 Occurrence)
...Fleshpots (1 Occurrence). ... of Israel said unto them: 'Would that we had died by the
hand of the LORD in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the flesh-pots, when we ...
/f/fleshpots.htm - 6k

Flesh-pots (1 Occurrence)
Flesh-pots. Fleshpots, Flesh-pots. Flesh's . Multi-Version Concordance ... (ASV
BBE DBY JPS WBS). Fleshpots, Flesh-pots. Flesh's . Reference Bible.
/f/flesh-pots.htm - 6k

Flesh-pot (1 Occurrence)
... said unto them: 'Would that we had died by the hand of the LORD in the land of Egypt,
when we sat by the flesh-pots, when we ... Fleshpot, Flesh-pot. Fleshpots ...
/f/flesh-pot.htm - 7k

Flesh's (2 Occurrences)

/f/flesh's.htm - 6k

Fleshpot
... Probably usually made of bronze or earthenware. The only mention of
flesh-pots, specifically so named, is in Exodus 16:3. See FOOD. ...
/f/fleshpot.htm - 6k

Sand (40 Occurrences)
... of Israel said to them, It would have been better for the Lord to have put us to
death in the land of Egypt, where we were seated by the flesh-pots and had ...
/s/sand.htm - 24k

Congregation (347 Occurrences)
... Exodus 16:3 And the children of Israel said to them, Would that we had died by the
hand of Jehovah in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the flesh-pots, when we ...
/c/congregation.htm - 48k

Needs (85 Occurrences)
... of Israel said to them, It would have been better for the Lord to have put us to
death in the land of Egypt, where we were seated by the flesh-pots and had ...
/n/needs.htm - 30k

Better (218 Occurrences)
... of Israel said to them, It would have been better for the Lord to have put us to
death in the land of Egypt, where we were seated by the flesh-pots and had ...
/b/better.htm - 38k

What is the flesh? | GotQuestions.org

What does it mean to crucify the flesh (Galatians 5:24)? | GotQuestions.org

What does it mean that the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak? | GotQuestions.org

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