We left with Jacob blessing the sons of Joseph in Egypt. Let us now continue to discern the mixed multitude and their role in the soon to be nation of Israel. How did Jehovah set forth the conditions of being brought into fellowship and were there any examples? We can find valuable information in the Exodus story and the first Passover.
Exodus 12:43 The LORD said to Moses and Aaron, "This is the ordinance of the Passover: no foreigner is to eat of it; 12:44 but every man's slave purchased with money, after you have circumcised him, then he may eat of it.
First no stranger or foreigner can just come into the camp or later into Jerusalem and participate in the Passover. But, a slave or permanent member of someone’s household, can participate only if they have been circumcised. Circumcision is the sign of the covenant Jehovah made with Abraham. Who by the way, was not Jewish.
12:45 "A sojourner or a hired servant shall not eat of it. Again, those just passing thru, if not circumcised, could not participate.
12:46 "It is to be eaten in a single house; you are not to bring forth any of the flesh outside of the house, nor are you to break any bone of it.
12:47 "All the congregation of Israel are to celebrate this.
The whole congregation was to celebrate this memorial celebration. It was a shadow of the coming of the One who would forever save or redeem His people.
12:48 "But if a stranger sojourns with you, and celebrates the Passover to the LORD, let all his males be circumcised, and then let him come near to celebrate it; and he shall be like a native of the land. But no uncircumcised person may eat of it.
Again, the emphasis is on circumcision. This event of circumcision was not simple or easy. It was painful and permanent. You would most likely only go through with this if you truly believed in Jehovah. Of course, we may think that evil, unscrupulous men might do this just to gain access to the people and their money.
12:49 "The same law shall apply to the native as to the stranger who sojourns among you."
The same law means no preferential treatment or viewing others as less important than yourself. Most believe that this was instituted by Jesus, but it has always been part of the plan of Jehovah.
12:50 Then all the sons of Israel did so; they did just as the LORD had commanded Moses and Aaron.
12:51 And on that same day the LORD brought the sons of Israel out of the land of Egypt by their hosts.
So here is the confirmation of the timing of this revelation, the same day they left Egypt.
As there were most likely a sizable number in the mixed multitude, Jehovah wanted everyone to know that He does not treat others solely on ethnicity.
More next Saturday.