MIXED MULTITUDES LED THE ISRAELITES INTO SIN
MIXED MULTITUDES LED THE ISRAELITES INTO SIN
The mixed multitude
of Gentiles who left Egypt with the children of Israel were people of their
generation and culture. They were idolaters. They worshipped idols of every
description and the thought of having just one Diety to worship was alien to
them. They were Egyptians plus other races of people who were living in Egypt
at that time. When this multitude of people realised the Hebrews were leaving
Egypt, they must have believed they would have a safer life with the Hebrews,
rather than stay in Egypt where the plagues had just taken place, or perhaps
because there was very little left in Egypt for them. They may have fled Egypt
in terror. Whatever their reason for leaving Egypt, there is no scripture
telling us they ever believed in the Lord God. They may have obeyed the laws
given to the Israelites out of fear but few, if any changed their idolatrous
ways. If these people had genuinely changed their ways and turned to God,
Israel would not have fallen into sin, but the hundreds of idolatrous people
influenced Israel negatively, causing their terrible downfall soon after Moses
died, but the Lord still held Israel accountable for their sin even though the
mixed multitude had lured them into idolatry. The Lord makes us all accountable
for our own sin regardless of who tempts us. The Gentiles who fled Egypt with
Israel were all quite entitled to use that opportunity of salvation. They
partook of the feasts, celebrations and covenant right alongside Israel, but
their hearts did not change. The idolatry of the mixed multitude, plus the
idolatry of the Canaanites, tempted Israel to rise up against the Lord, break
the covenant and forsake Him.
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