The Passover and Salvation

See Exodus 12, noticing the instituting of the Passover. Did the blood provide physical salvation only? Were the people saved spiritually? If so, explain the term "a mixed multitude" came out of Egypt. Research and discuss.

The heart of the Passover is found in Exodus 12:12. God strikes down all the firstborn, both human and animal. This event is the execution of judgment upon all the gods of Egypt and is the culmination of all the preceding plagues. At the same time, because of the blood, God’s judgment will “pass over” the houses of the Israelites. The Passover is a divine judgment on sinful humanity and the unseen demonic world (the “gods” of the Egyptians). It also serves as a the vehicle for divine redemption for the Jewish nation. The Passover sacrifice spared the Jewish people from God’s plague of death (Exodus 12:13, 27). The seven days of purification which preceded the Passover event demonstrated the need for cleanness or holiness (Exodus 12:15). This was a prelude to God’s revelation of His character at Mt. Sinai, leading to the demand for holiness amongst His people (Exodus 19, 20).

Exodus 12:38 (KJV)
38 And a mixed multitude went up also with them; and flocks, and herds, even very much cattle.

The mixed multitude may be viewed in several different fashions, although it most likely refers to malcontent Egyptians who grabbed at an opportunity to leave Egypt. This conclusion arises from Num 11:4 where Moses points to the malcontents as a source of problems for the Israelites.

Numbers 11:4 (KJV)
4 And the mixed multitude that was among them fell a lusting: and the children of Israel also wept again, and said, Who shall give us flesh to eat?

This group may have included other Semites who had settled in the delta region, plus many native Egyptians who “feared the word of the L ord” (9:20) and accepted the covenant faith of Israel. However, this group would be no different from the actual Jewish people if they were God fearers. The Numbers passage points to trouble makers and the Egyptians themselves would be trouble makers. Having witnessed the power of God during the plagues, this group would not be able to understand God’s methods and would be quicker to complain about the difficult conditions of the Exodus.

Yet, God allowed the mixed multitude to accompanying the Israelites, much as He allows the “tares” or professing church to remain a part of the public Christian community. They are there to test the faith of the group to which they belong. The tares create trials and tribulation for the modern church. The mixed multitude helped God to test the obedience of the chosen people. In general, both the Israelites and the church failed many of the tests.

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