“Those who are just along for the ride!
In Matthew 21:8-11, the Bible records the event known as the “Triumphant Entry” that took place on Palm Sunday 30 A.D. It goes on to say that as Jesus entered Jerusalem through the Eastern Gate “a very great multitude” went before Him and followed Him into the city throwing palm leaves and even their clothes to cover the road under Him crying out “Hosanna” which means please save us! In verse 10 & 11, the Bible states that, “And when he was come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, Who is this? And the multitude said, this is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee.”
The “great multitude” that was with Jesus “stirred” up everyone in the city and they wanted to know what was all the commotion about. The multitude responded and said, this was Jesus, a prophet the Son of David and has come in the name of the Lord! But in just three days the multitudes would be gone and only a few disciples would be only left that hadn’t fled for their lives because of fear as they stood watching Him nailed to a cross suffering!
Where did the”great multitude” go and why? Were they just caught up in the excitement of the moment? Did they follow Him to receive something? Were they really seeking Him or caught up in the excitement or just along “for the ride”?
There is always those that will “follow” a person or cause during the “good” times and leave when the “tough” times come and even TURN ON the one they were following when things don’t go “according to plan”, See Matt.13:20&21. The multitude can even be a part of destroying what and whom they were following in the first place!
Even though this happened many times in the Bible and in history, there is a specific story I think about in the Word of God that tells us not only this has happened before but why it happened and WHO caused it! It is found in Exodus chapter 12 where after the last plague God sent to Pharaoh and the nation of Egypt had taken place and that being the death of the first born of all Egypt. That same night Moses and the children of Israel were ordered out of Egypt by Pharaoh and told to leave immediately. They were sent out of Egypt “in haste” with 600,000 men besides the women and children PLUS A MIXT MULTITUDE!
Note: Remember this “mixt multitude”!
The children of Israel leave Egypt cross the Red Sea and eventually end up at Mount Sinai. At the beginning of Exodus Chapter 32, Moses is coming down Mount Sinai after 40 days communing with God and he had in his hands “two tables of testimony, tables of stone, written with the finger of God.” i.e.(The Ten Commandments). Moses finds “the people” had influenced and pressured Aaron to make them gods that they could worship because Moses hadn’t returned. Aaron foolishly made a golden calf. “And the people (the mixt multitude) said in verse 4, “these be thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee out of Egypt”.
Note: It was the “mixt multitude” that worshipped other pagan gods and not the Lord God of Israel that Moses was talking with for 40 days? You see the influence? See how they turned the hearts of the children of Israel? Who sent them to “go along” with Israel, Satan? For what purpose? Was it to turn their hearts away from God? Israel was, of course, accountable for their actions but the “mixt multitude” I believe was sent to cause confusion and chaos with their bad intent and evil influence. Moses even had to “intercede” for them to the Lord so He would not to kill them all and start over with ONLY MOSES – verse 10.
But those that came “for the ride” were sent for a purpose by Satan to destroy Israel and stop them from going to the promise land to fulfill the promise God made to Abraham. Satan had planned this.
Note: And I believe Satan has been planning this again but this time with the whole world
as we see ungodly teachings being taught in the schools, TV “programs” that program, news media lies and deceptions, movies with ungodly themes and ideas sublimely being cemented in minds and yes even many churches participating with unbiblical doctrines, governments passing ungodly laws by wicked leaders and ungodly judges who don’t judge righteously punishing many innocent because they are not honoring the True Lord God of creation and His Word!
Now let’s go to Numbers chapter 11 and see other problems their influence caused in 11:4. It states, “And the ‘mixt multitude’ that was among them ‘fell a lusting’: and the children of Israel also wept again”. They complained about only having “manna” to eat and were not satisfied. They wanted fish, cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions and garlic. God lovingly provided this “angel food” for them without any work on their part for them to survive in the desert and be healthy yet they wanted what they wanted and were not satisfied with the Lord’s provision!
“Man did eat angels’ food: he sent them meat to the full.”, Psalm 78:25
The Lord was angry every time they complained. The influence of the “mixt multitude” always caused Israel problems with the Lord because they listened to the “mixt multitude” and judgment always called upon them!
From the worshipping of their pagan gods from Egypt, to the inter-marrying with the children of Israel, and the desiring to go back to Egypt and not following the Lord’s plan for the nation of Israel, to rebelling against Moses and getting others against him, Satan used them to disrupt their faith and trust in Jehovah to guide them. That’s what the “mixt multitude “would constantly do.
What had to be done to end the “mixt multitudes” influence among the children of Israel once and for all? If we follow the example in the Bible today, the whole world will cast off this evil and satanic control finally!
End of Part 1.
Next week in Part 2 we will see what Israel HAD TO DO to stop the influence of those who have maliciously have “came along for the ride” to only lead all the world to the judgment of God and misery if something isn’t quickly.
Lord bless you all,
We want to thank you all for your constant prayers and consistent help. You have all been a tremendous blessing g the the Grenon family during out time of trial.
If you feel the Lord leading you to help us please pray and as the Lord leads donate to our family here: www.givesendgo.com/G9AT9
May our Lord guide and bless you all
Mark Grenon
Proverbs 3:5&6
Andrea
Praise the Lord for bringing Mark into a safe, lovely place to rest and recover.