A MIXED MULTITUDE

A MIXED MULTITUDE!

Ex 12:37-38

37 And the children of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand on foot that were men, beside children.

38 And a mixed multitude went up also with them; and flocks, and herds, even very much cattle.

Neh 13:1-3

13:1 On that day they read in the book of Moses in the audience of the people; and therein was found written, that the Ammonite and the Moabite should not come into the congregation of God for ever;

2 Because they met not the children of Israel with bread and with water, but hired Balaam against them, that he should curse them: howbeit our God turned the curse into a blessing.

3 Now it came to pass, when they had heard the law, that they separated from Israel all the mixed multitude.

           Only twice in the Authorized Version does the phrase “mixed multitude” appear. Neither mention is flattering! In Exodus these were foreign slaves who were companions in the same misery as the Jews or some who had married a Hebrew. Some may have been convinced by the plagues and miracles that there was an advantage in following such a powerful deity as Jehovah. They trudged along without any thought to their destination. They were running away from a bad situation instead of journeying to a land of promise. So it is with some who attach themselves to a church. They see some benefit to be had in this world without any thought to the next world.

           The portion in Nehemiah is more telling. Nehemiah was rebuilding a wall and with it the purity and integrity of a nation and the people of Israel. Here the mixed multitude was squatting in the land of promise. They were identified as insincere by the reading of the law. These were some who, when the chips were down, had “met not the children of Israel with bread and water.” They did not pull their own weight and, in fact, added an extra burden by hiring Balaam to curse Israel. In verse 3 they were eventually removed.

           If you continue reading in Nehemiah you will see that Tobiah had literally moved into one of the store rooms of the Temple desecrating it in the process. Nehemiah evicted him along with his household stuff and then had the place cleaned and consecrated to its original purpose.

           Without seeming to be overly frustrated, let me say that there is a “mixed multitude” in church today. These are not born into the family! They do not share our excitement regarding Heaven and their allegiance is based upon what they perceive as benefits. They come for the groceries, the recreation or the entertainment. They come to escape some of the miseries of this present world without regard to the next world. The reading and understanding of the Law often separates them from the main body. The good news is that from this mixed multitude comes an occasional true believer. God adopts them into the family and their focus is changed from running away FROM to journeying TO. This is always our hope for them. The very bad news is that at the end of all things many who thought they were safe in the company of Christians will be rejected.

Matt 7:21-23

21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?

23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

Dear Lord, let my light so shine that others may see clearly enough to truly follow you instead of simply following me. AMEN