Mixture, Tares and Goats

The ‘Mixed Multitude’ who travelled with Israel mentioned in Exodus 12:38 and Numbers 11:4 are not well defined in scripture but if Christian experience is considered we do understand the impact of this company of people. They have never left us.

Essentially they are the opportunists who want the benefits of the life of faith without the price of commitment. Jesus referred to ‘tares’ and ‘goats’. Jude 1:12: “These people are blemishes at your Love-feasts, eating with you without the slightest qualm”.

It seems impossible to make some aware that they are living a religious life out of willpower or human effort but have no spiritual connection or experience of God to base their faith in. They know the ‘Christian game’ so well they blend right in until something happens that requires real faith. As such were a large company of Egyptians and ex-slaves who travelled through the wilderness with the children of Israel.

The desire for recognition and reward can become a powerful motivation for some who struggle to find the reason to continue while others are captivated by the culture and lifestyle. Many are ‘coat-tail’ Christians who cruise on the faith of their parents, families or partners. The dangerous delusion they have is that all is well between them and God because they are so immersed in the environment of belief and fervent love.

Worse are those who have another motivation that may be sociopathic or even psychopathic. These can be hard to observe because they are constantly maneuvering and manipulating to avoid being revealed.

There is no doubt that events will transpire to force some into the open but when the ‘Lord of the Harvest’ comes it is notable that the true wheat will be bowed before Him and the tares will stand proudly tall.