MIXED MULTITUDES: REALITY AND IMPLICATIONS- BY GREG ELKAN

The mixed multitude that was among them had a strong craving: and the children of Israel also wept again, and said, Who shall give us flesh to eat?_ – Num 11:4

_“For whatever things were written before were written for our learning,”_ – Rom 15:4.

When Moses led the Israelites left Egypt after years of bondage, the Bible says that _“A mixed multitude went up also with them…”_ (Exo 12:38); and for centuries, theologians have debated the identity of this “mixed multitude”.

Posited theories include: 

– Mercenaries who intermarried with the Israelites and left with them,

– Miscellaneous hangers-on from other nations living in Egypt at that time,

– Members of an ancient nomadic people from western Asia. 

– Actual Egyptians running away from the carnage of the plagues upon their land.

– Etc.

The Bible itself does not answer that question. Two things it does make clear, however, is that they were 1) _Not_ Israelites, and 2) _Not_ believers in Israel’s God or His Covenant with their ancestors. These two facts led them to having a lethally negative influence on the Israelites; causing them to murmur against Moses, and seeking a return back to Egypt. 

Now, these stories were not documented as historical trivia, but as Paul says in 1Co 10:11 were _“written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages are come.”_

“Mixed multitudes” have always existed in the church. They were present in _“the church in the wilderness,”_ (Act 7:38), they were present in the early church (Acts 5:1-13), and it would be naïve of us to think they are not present in the church today.

Like unseen planets around stars, “mixed multitudes” have a tugging impact on the trajectory of the church. They influence our theology, our priorities, and our image to the world. 

“Nevertheless the foundation of God stands sure, having this seal, The Lord knows them that are his. And, Let every one that names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.”– 2Ti 2:19.

AMEN

More Blessings await you today; you’ll not miss them in Jesus’ Name.

GREG ELKAN

- Nigeria