Exodus: A Group StudyUzorak

What is this passage saying?

Upon the completion of the final plague, the Israelites plunder the Egyptians and are driven out of the land. Alongside the Israelites came a “mixed multitude” of other ethnicities.

What is this passage teaching?

The roughly two million people that fled Egypt during the Exodus included those who were not descendants of Abraham. Some saw Yahweh’s power and providence over Israel and decided they too wanted to be a part of that covenant community. Yahweh is demonstrating His kindness towards those who choose to trust in his work of salvation regardless of their ethnic origin. This is further emphasized in Yahweh’s instructions regarding other ethnicities celebrating the Passover. If they agreed to place their faith in Yahweh’s covenant promises and join the covenant community (through circumcision, Exodus 12:48-49), they too could celebrate.

How do I respond?

From the beginning of Yahweh’s covenant with Abraham, His plans to bring all the nations into His redemptive program were clear. It was never the intention for Israel to hoard their covenantal blessings, but Israel was meant to bless all the families of the earth (Genesis 12:3). In the same way – the church of Christ was never meant to hoard the blessings of our great salvation. Jesus commissioned His followers to “make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19-20). Who in your life needs to hear the good news of Jesus's resurrection? Pray for opportunities to show and share the gospel to those who are not followers of Jesus.