Shalom All:

In the links provided by Donna Danna (5 July 2005)
"THE MYSTERY OF THE RED HEIFER: DIVINE PROMISE OF PURITY"
.. I read this in "The Episode of the Golden Calf"
http://www.templeinstitute.org/red_heifer/golden_calf.htm
---clip---
God Did Not Approve the Mixed Multitude

The presence of this group among the assembly of Israel proved to be a pitfall for her - then, in the beginning, and throughout history as well. In fact, the Midrash relates that the Holy One Himself did not want to accept the mixed multitude into Israel's ranks. But Moses approved their acceptance, and God acquiesced to him:

The sages explain: what is the meaning of God's words, "... Go, get down, for your people which you brought up out of the land of Egypt have become corrupt... "

Who is greater than Moses, chief of all the prophets, who most certainly had only the best of intentions, but inevitably caused these evil ones to become a snare for Israel... and they have continued to cause Israel anguish to this very day. They are the cause for the extension of the exile. It was clear to God that they would cause Israel damage and confuse them, leading them astray from the true service, but He did not want to say this explicitly to Moses. Everyone has free choice, and perhaps even they could repent. But instead, it was they who influenced Israel to sin. If the mixed multitude would not have been clinging to Israel, God would have lead them straight into the Promised Land. They are like an open wound; an evil mixture that always incites and lures Israel from serving God.
---end clip---

Interesting logic here.  And I think just a tad overly optimistic of the "righteousness" of the ENTIRE nation of the Children of Israel!  Kind of like saying Adam and Eve were innocent of the decision they made because satan tempted them.  Somehow I don't read that in the account.  YHVH holds them absolutely responsible along with their descendents!

These folks also seem to conveniently forget the twelve spies sent out to the promised land.  And of those twelve, only Caleb the gentile, with Joshua, said with YHVH they could conquer the land!  The fear of the other ten spies caused the forty years in the wilderness, not the "multitudes"!

I don't say "influence" is not there but their quote "Everyone has free choice" doesn't seem to apply in their minds to the Children of Israel and the very real possibility that the Children don't always choose YHVH''s ways!  As a mother I never let our children use the excuse that another had influenced their behavior because it always comes down to PERSONAL responsibility!  And I don't use that excuse myself!!

But this teaching certainly explains how it can always be the Gentiles' fault for the trouble of the Children of Israel!  I  believe anyone applying this teaching to their situation heads for danger.

Dianne
<*}}}><

(  Request a flow chart of Revelation Seals at  talsmawi@centurytel.net  )