Niccolò Machiavelli was quoted with “the temper of the multitude is fickle.” George S. Patton was quoted “If everyone is thinking alike, then somebody isn't thinking.” Criss Jami said, ““The mob, in the spirit of the age, obsessed with being on the right side of history, often ends up on the wrong side of history.” The comedian George Carlin came up with the quote, “Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large groups.” And one that rings so true today by Jess C. Scott, “People are sheep. TV is the shepherd.”
Human history has a very dark and checkered record concerning large groups of people. Call them groups, mobs, clans, gangs, hordes, rabbles, posses, factions, masses, packs, parties, throngs, or legions. It all defines a group of two or more persons that align to see their personal agenda advanced. But when groups come together, seeking selfish or mis-directed agendas, human intellect changes drastically as emotions run amuck at the cost of logic and sense.
And believe it or not, nowhere is the human behavior of group mentality more apparent and prevalent than in God’s Word. In fact, it’s proven that when something unfortunate or even downright evil takes place in the Bible, a large group of people will be involved in the process. Take a look.
Stoning. There were no guns, electric chairs or lethal injection in ancient Israel, so execution was mainly by stoning. Stoning was literally hurling large stones at a person until they were crushed to death. This was an especially brutal process and to complete the kill, the head was usually the main target. And when a person was deemed guilty of something dire enough to deserve stoning, not one person completed the act, but a large group. And many times, it was the crowd, in a heated moment, that elected themselves as both judge, jury and executioner. Notice my italics as related to groups, gangs and mobs.
This of Paul as he preached, “But Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and having persuaded the crowds, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead.” Acts 14:19
This of Stephen as he preached, “When the members of the Sanhedrin heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him. But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. “Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, dragged him out of the city and began to stone him.” Acts 7:54-57
This of Moses and Aaron as they led God’s people, “But the whole assembly talked about stoning them.” Numbers 14:10
This of David as his men saw defeat and loss of family, “David was greatly distressed because the men were talking of stoning him; each one was bitter in spirit because of his sons and daughters.” 1 Samuel 30:6a
And of course, the most famous example of mob mentality, the arrest, trial, and crucifixion of Jesus. Nowhere is it more prevalent of what large groups are capable of than the last days of Christ. He was arrested by a posse, condemned by an angry mob, sentenced by a religious gang, and then executed by a military squad. The physical death of Jesus was not at the hands of any one man or woman, Jesus’ death lie at the hands of like minded individuals that grouped themselves together for a common cause. The killing of Christ the Messiah. Notice again the italics. (mine)
“While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, suddenly arrived. With him was a mob, with swords and clubs, from the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders.” Mark 14:43 CSB
“So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the mob, released Barabbas for them, and after scourging Jesus handed Him over for crucifixion.” Mark 15:15 WNT
“But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus executed. “Which of the two do you want me to release to you?” asked the governor. “Barabbas,” they answered. “What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called the Messiah?” Pilate asked. They all answered, “Crucify him!” “Why? What crime has he committed?” asked Pilate. But they shouted all the louder, “Crucify him!” Matthew 27:20-23
Today in 1 Samuel chapter 8 we see yet another example of herd mentality in God’s Word. That is, when a small group of people influence a larger group to desire the same. The elders of Israel no longer desire to be ruled by a judge or a prophet of God, but rather desire a king like the nations around them. Maybe they see that kings can be easily manipulated to do as they desire, where a prophet of God cannot. Maybe they merely want to be like the kingdoms around them, blending in with the sinful kingdoms of the world. Maybe they just simply want what is buried deep in their heart, to do the opposite of what God wants. The gang of elders go to Samuel and they make their demands clear. This is what we want. We don’t care what God wants. Give us what we want. We want a king.
Samuel takes their request to God and in a great exchange, God tells Samuel to do as they say. They have not rejected you Samuel, but me, God says. You see, God was their king, but as they demand an earthly king, they naturally are rejecting their need for a Heavenly King. So, God gives the people what they want. They will receive the evil leader that their evil hearts deserve.
“But the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel. And they said, “No! But there shall be a king over us, that we also may be like all the nations, and that our king may judge us and go out before us and fight our battles.” And when Samuel had heard all the words of the people, he repeated them in the ears of the Lord. And the Lord said to Samuel, “Obey their voice and make them a king.” 1 Sam 8:19-22a
The world takes a sad turn when a sinful human heart gets what it wants. We see here that God grants them the king their hearts desire. Even after the dire warning that God has Samuel deliver of what the king will be to them, the crowd still demands what they want.
Today mob instinct and herd mentality has never been more prevalent. We have one bunch that wants to illegally occupy entire city blocks in protest of not getting what they want. We have another group that wants to violently tear down and remove every bastion of prior culture that does not agree with what they want. We have yet another gang that is terrorizing the innocent public by murdering those that disagree with what they want. (160 U.S. murders last weekend alone?) We have yet another group that is simply willing to protest anything and everything, seemingly rebelling against all the world has to offer. And don’t forget the groups that force their choice of political party on anyone that will listen. Folks, what do all of these groups have in common? They all forgo what God wants for what they want. Give us what we want.
The Israelites wanted a king and to get it they forsook what God wanted for them. One small group affected a larger group until they all became one massive multitude, all demanding what they wanted. Give us what we want. And as God does indeed give them what they want, He ends with this dire warning for the multitude:
“And in that day you will cry out because of your king, whom you have chosen for yourselves, but the Lord will not answer you in that day.” 1 Samuel 8:18
Be careful what you wish for, you just might get it. Align your desires with the desires of God and rest easy in His peace and freedom.
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