Numbers 11: 4 reads:
CJB Numbers 11:4 Next, the mixed crowd that was with them grew greedy for an easier life; while the people of Isra’el, for their part, also renewed their weeping and said, “If only we had meat to eat! (Num 11:4 CJB)
This rich verse of Torah reveals so much to the heart and soul and mind of the Truth Seeking Torah Observer. There are indeed lessons to be learned here.
- The Mixed Multitude
It was indeed astonishing to learn that the thousands of souls that left Egypt in the Exodus was a composite of peoples. The Holy Writ is not clear as to what cultures made up the composite parts, but it is clear that the Children of Israel were not the only nation tagging along for the journey. The Hebrew term for mixed multitude is acpecuph, meaning rabble. This people were not the designated people of the promise, but likely heathens who were looking for a better life for themselves at the expense of the chosen of Yehovah. These people expected to be whisked away to the promised land and start a new life, likely to resume worship of their pagan gods and live according to their pagan ways.
Who made up the “rabble?” Well, it appears to me that there is no true answer to the question. Some sources say mercenaries; others say sorcerers; while others contend they were Ethiopians and Cyprians. Bottom line, no one really knows at this juncture of history. Looking at this objectively and given what we know about Egypt during this time, the “rabble” accompanying the Children of Israel through the desert was likely made up of various cultures and peoples of the earth who happened to reside in the land of Egypt at the time of the Exodus. In the end, it really doesn’t matter. The apple of Yehovah’s eye was and to some extent today, remains the Children of Israel. It was these who the Master of the universe anxiously brought to Himself in the desert to be His chosen possession. It was these who, out of all the nations in existence at the time, He chose to be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. But alas, these fell short. Why? There are many reasons to consider. One of the reasons, according to this verse, seems to be the influence that the accompanying “rabble” had on Yehovah’s chosen. Whether intentional or happenstance, the “rabble” presented the Children of Israel with one more purifying medium to separate and mold them in to the people Yehovah sought to make His possession.
The Effect of Rabbles in Our Life and On our Journey
Sadly, our Faith is filled with rabble. I realize that this is not politically correct nor is it “Christian-like.” Indeed, the traditional Christian Faith is filled with those who seek to make a name for themselves, or carve out a career as an evangelist, or simply find a home in which they can ply their wares upon unsuspecting truth seekers. Indeed, such individuals delude the sanctity of our Faith from the perspective of influences and holy relationships. What do I mean by this? Simply this: We all know individuals in the Faith who instead of exhibiting a changed heart and soul and way of living, bring their dirty laundry with them into the Faith. Indeed, the old Christian hymn “Just as I am…” rings ever so True in the Christian Faith. Granted, we are human and prone to falls. However, I’m many addressing those who have absolutely no intention of changing their lives through the help and agency of the Holy Spirit. In fact, many of these malcontents relish and languish in their disparate lives. Consequently, these individuals cause great harm and challenge to the rest of the body or assembly, as did this “rabble” in the wilderness to the Children of the Promise.
Interestingly, the rabble did not expect to go through testing in the crucible of the wilderness. Yehovah uses the various wildernesses in our lives to test us; to mold us; to purify us; to bring us to a place of uniqueness and separation from commonality. This absolutely had to be a huge shock to the individuals who composed the “rabble”: hey Moses, you promised us a land flowing with milk and honey, and a prosperous and healthy life and you bring us to a most desolate place where it is hot in the day, cold at night; food only composed of manna and water from a rock. I did NOT sign up for this!
On the contrary: if they’d only realized the greatness to be had at the other end of the journey. Everything comes with a price. There are no free lunches. Yehovah sets the rules and we don’t have the authority to change those rules. In this case, the “rabble” along with their Israeli-counterparts agreed to the contract that the Father provided at the base of Mount Sinai on that fateful day:
ASV Exodus 19:1 In the third month after the children of Israel were gone forth out of the land of Egypt, the same day came they into the wilderness of Sinai. 2 And when they were departed from Rephidim, and were come to the wilderness of Sinai, they encamped in the wilderness; and there Israel encamped before the mount. 3 And Moses went up unto God, and Jehovah called unto him out of the mountain, saying, Thus shalt thou say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel: 4 Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles’ wings, and brought you unto myself. 5 Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be mine own possession from among all peoples: for all the earth is mine: 6 and ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and a holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel. 7 And Moses came and called for the elders of the people, and set before them all these words which Jehovah commanded him. 8 And all the people answered together, and said, All that Jehovah hath spoken we will do. (Exo 19:1 ASV)
Oh dear Saint: how many of us have agreed to the terms of the contract that was put before us on the day we accepted this walk with the Creator, only to turn sour on the deal months and years later because life in Yeshua did not pan out the way we expected it to? Or better yet, we decided to restructure the agreement we made with the Creator (as so many millions of self-professing believers have done throughout the centuries) in order that we may have “an easier life?”
Are we not that mixed multitude in some respects? Do we grow greedy for an easier life in Messiah? How do we do such a thing you may ask. Well, frankly my friend, by failing to obey His commands and His precepts and His laws. Failing to be content where we are and always relying upon the grace and providence of the Eternal. Defaulting to stirring the pot in our lives in order to elicit a favorable response from the Father. If only we can trust and obey Him and hang in there for just a little while longer, the glory to be had could never be put in to human words.
Join me for Part 2 of “Hangers On.”