Sem título Sermão
A ilusão do pertencimento externo
When Israel left Egypt a large group, consisting principally of Egyptians, left with them. The Bible calls them the “mixed multitude,” literally, a “numerous mingled throng” (Ex. 12:38; Num. 11:4). An even better word might be “rabble,” which some versions use. They were a source of constant trouble, and ever the leaders in rebellion. They were the ones who instigated the demand for flesh food, which resulted in the death of thousands (Num. 11:4–6, 18–20, 31–33). Though they daily witnessed God’s miracle in sending manna from heaven, they were unthankful and unholy. Like so many who live on the charity of others, their demands constantly increased.
It is reasonable to assume that this mixed multitude would seek to continue their pagan sacrificial feasts. In Egypt were to be found some of the most degraded forms of heathenism. Among these, devil worship was probably the worst (Lev. 17:7), in connection with which he-goats, or “satyrs” (RSV), were sacrificed.
The thing that occasioned most difficulty was the rule that all slaughtering of animals should henceforth be done at the sanctuary, and that the feasts ordinarily celebrated in connection with slaughtering should also be held there. This would in itself cause no hardship to Israel, for the sanctuary was centrally located in the wilderness, of easy access to all. But this arrangement would automatically end the convivial feasts of the mixed multitude that many Israelites, we may suspect, had enthusiastically adopted. The lengths to which the Israelites had gone in this idolatrous worship is clear from the injunction in v. 7.