Missionary God
Scripture
And the people of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand men on foot, besides women and children. A mixed multitude also went up with them, and very much livestock, both flocks and herds. Exodus 12:37
Observation
How many times do I quickly breeze through the bible and gloss over passages like these? Pharaoh finally relents to God’s command through Moses to “let my people go”. As the people journeyed from Rameses to Succoth (a “block, shut off, stop the approach) before the Exodus, we notice the six hundred thousand men on foot not including women and children. "A mixed multitude also went up with them…” Did you catch that? NIV states that “many other people went up with them.” NLT says it was “a rabble of non-Israelites went with them.” God saved some pagan Egyptians, sojourners and other foreigners to bring them to the Promised Land. Yahweh even commanded Moses and Aaron to make provisions in the instruction of the Passover to include foreigners (12:48-49).
Application
The fallacy of an unloving and angry God in the Old Testament killing babies, destroying pagans and judging nations still runs strong. Yet here in the second book of the bible as the people of God are on the precipice of a mass exodus to freedom and prosperity to the Promised Land, our Heavenly Father is a missionary God. He sends the people of God to be His missionary to save many non-Israelites. Point of obedience:
- Praise and worship my unchanging, eternally-loving, compassionate God. He does not change. His love and inclusivity of sojourners and foreigners don’t change.
- Deeply consider the political ramifications of following and obeying my missionary God: Let biblical convictions shape my political beliefs, not the other way around.
Prayer
Heavenly Father,
Thank you so much for your unconditional love. Thank you that you would leave the 99 sheep in the fold to seek and save that one lost sheep. May your love change me to be more like you. If there is any area of prejudice and exclusivity, I confess and repent. Make me be more like you. In Jesus name. Amen!