Exodus 12:37-42

"And the children of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand on foot that were men, besides children. And a mixed multitude went up also with them; and flocks, and herds, even very much cattle. And they baked unleavened cakes of dough which they brought forth out of Egypt; for it was not leavened, because they were thrust out of Egypt, and could not tarry, neither had they prepared for themselves any victuals. Now the time that the children of Israel dwelt in Egypt was four hundred and thirty years. And it came to pass at the end of four hundred and thirty years, even the selfsame day it came to pass, that all the hosts of Jehovah went out from the land of Egypt. It is a night to be much observed unto Jehovah: for bringing them out from the land of Egypt' this is that night of Jehovah, to be much observed of all the children of Israel throughout their generations."

"From Rameses to Succoth ..." The exact location of these places is uncertain, and it is merely a weariness to explore the conflicting views of scholars on where, or how far, these places were.

"Six hundred thousand ... men ..." The bold denial of this number by men who really know nothing about it is characteristic of some writings. "That such a figure has no basis in fact is clear from almost every point of view."[32] The author of that denial then went on to prove his point by asserting that: (1) such a large number could not have lived in Egypt; (2) they could not have survived in the desert, and (3) they could not have found enough room in Canaan! Millions of people today live in each one of those areas! Besides that, God fed the Israelites in the wilderness; and their clothes did not wear out! Such denials are merely amusing to believers. An even more renowned scholar said that, "This 600,000 is not an excessive number for the population of Goshen, nor does it exceed a reasonable estimate of the increase of the Israelites."[33]

In this connection, we also include the questions raised by Huey: "If only a few thousand people were involved in the Exodus, (1) Why were the Egyptians afraid of them? (2) Why were they subjected to slavery to reduce their numbers? (3) Why were the Moabites terrified of them?"[34] To these questions it is possible to add others. If the numbers of the Exodus given here are not correct, how were the Israelites able to subjugate thirty-two kingdoms of Canaan? How is it that the "fear" of the Israelites had spread all over the world of that era? See Joshua 2:9. In view of all the facts, we must reject the speculations based upon imaginative guesses that challenge the Biblical account. The Bible is far more trustworthy than the speculators.

"Four hundred and thirty years ..." here again, the denials of the critics rise in a shrill chorus, but there is nothing wrong with this figure. True it was rounded off to "four hundred" in the promise to Abraham, and Stephen did the same thing in Acts 7. So what? This type of variation is common and ordinary. The only trumped up evidence ever raised against the figure is in the Septuagint (LXX) account of it where the number is reduced to 215 years, but the verse where that is found is an interpolation without any authority whatever. It is false on the face of it. The actual basis for critical denials here is founded on what they call the "impossibility" of it. But, if it did not happen as the Bible says, then what did happen? Before us is the only trustworthy account of the events mentioned, and we find it entirely satisfactory to accept the only record there is. That the events here indeed seem "impossible" is freely admitted. What of it? All things are possible with God, and we are surely dealing with God and His actions in these chapters!

"And a mixed multitude went up also with them ..." Who were these? They might have been other slave peoples of the Egyptians who saw their opportunity and took it. They could have been many of the Egyptians who had become converted to the God of Israel. No real information is given concerning them. Would that mixed multitude turn against the Lord and cause Israel to sin? We appreciate the comment concerning this mixed multitude by a former Jewish Rabbi:

"As a former Jewish Rabbi, I have the temptation to say, "Yes, it was the mixed multitude that caused Israel to sin in Exodus." But that's not the way it really happened. The mixed multitude were the staunchest believers. They were the ones who truly believed in the Lord, because they knew what it was like to be unsaved, and now they knew what it was like to be saved."

"But the people of Israel were coasting along on their knowledge that they were the chosen people, God's favorite, and they did not have to do anything to deserve His favor."

"You have chosen us above all people, God," they were thinking, "So now we can do anything we want to and get away with it."[35]

Whether or not such a view is fully correct concerning Israel, it is certainly the case with many Christians who lose their enthusiasm for the truth, who slip back into the careless and sinful ways of the world and neglect the plainest and most urgent duties of the Christian life.