Good Morning.
Then the children of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand men on foot, besides children. A mixed multitude went up with them also, and flocks and herds—a great deal of livestock. (Exodus 12:37-38)
If there were six hundred thousand men, then it is reasonable to assume that there were at least that many women and, most likely, even more children. There are some estimates that say anywhere from 2 – 3 million people left Egypt headed for Canaan. Joining them was what the Bible referred to as a “mixed multitude.” This is presumed to be a great mixture of slaves, prisoners of war, visitors and maybe even some Egyptians.
Perhaps many of them had come to realize that the God of Moses was more powerful than any other god worshiped by any other culture. It is also possible that many of them simply took advantage of the confusion that was ongoing in Egypt and decided to get in on the rush to leave. This is important to consider because, later in the journey, the “mixed multitude” were instrumental in stirring up trouble.
In the wilderness, the mixed multitude often provoked the children of Israel to rebel against Moses and against God rather than the children of Israel provoking the mixed multitude to respect and obey the God of Jacob. The point is this: as the people of God, we are to be witnesses of our King and are commissioned to make disciples — not converts! The difference between the two terms is this: we are to influence others and teach them the ways of the Messiah, not the other way around.
So be careful who you let let into your Bible study, your fellowship and congregation. Make certain that the standards God has established are not relaxed just to accommodate the “new person.” Make sure the new person is willing to conform to God’s standards and be part of His family. You see, by the time the people reached the shores of the Jordan, there was no longer a “mixed multitude” among them; there was only the children of Israel.
Blessings and Shalom,
Bill
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