Scripture: Now the priest of Midian had seven daughters, and they came and drew water and filled the troughs to water their father’s flock. The shepherds came and drove them away, but Moses stood up and saved them, and watered their flock. When they came home to their father Reuel, he said, “How is it that you have come home so soon today?” They said, “An Egyptian delivered us out of the hand of the shepherds and even drew water for us and watered the flock.” He said to his daughters, “Then where is he? Why have you left the man? Call him, that he may eat bread.” And Moses was content to dwell with the man, and he gave Moses his daughter Zipporah. She gave birth to a son, and he called his name Gershom, for he said, “I have been a sojourner in a foreign land.”
Exodus 2:16-22 ESV [Click here to read the entire chapter.]
Observation: Recapping Yesterday’s Daily Focus, having wandered upon an Egyptian abusing his Hebrew kin, Moses surveys his surroundings to ensure no witnesses and murders the Egyptian. While we cannot draw certain conclusions about his emotional state or motivation, Moses’ actions demonstrate an unbridled temper. As the tension heightens, this victimized Hebrew apparently spreads the word so that when Moses tries to break up a quarrel between two other Israelites the next day, the one in the wrong calls out Moses for his hypocrisy in attempting to mete justice. When Pharaoh hears of this, he seeks to take Moses’ life, so Moses flees to Midian, where he finds rest by a well.
Today’s narrative picks up with weary Moses resting by this well in a foreign land, watching another conflict unfold. This time, the scuffle involves the seven daughters of the priest of Midian and scoundrel shepherds who chase away the daughters to steal the water they had drawn for their father’s flock. Moses intervenes and saves the shepherdesses and even waters their sheep. When the daughters return home, their father, Reuel (Hebrew “friend of God”), questions how quickly they have returned. Explaining an “Egyptian” rescued them from attackers and watered their flock, Reuel urges his daughters to seek the man and invite him to join them for a meal (vv.18-20).
Moses provides no timeline for the next step of his journey. Instead, he tells his audience he is content to dwell with Reuel. Impressed with Moses, this priest of Median gives his daughter Zipporah (Hebrew “female bird”) to Moses as a bride (v.21). Indeed, Zipporah would later take flight and leave the nest to travel with Moses to Egypt (4:20). Meanwhile, Zipporah presents Moses with a son, whom Moses names Gershom (Hebrew “sojourner”) in light of Moses being a sojourner in a foreign land.
Geographic note: Located along the eastern shore of the Gulf of Aqabah in the Arabian Peninsula, Median provided an ideal haven until things cooled down in Egypt.
Takeaway: This brief summation of Moses’ time in Midian gives insight into his personality and life struggles. First, we see that Moses is teachable. Having overstepped his position of authority in exacting his understanding of justice by executing a cruel Egyptian, in this next conflict, he wisely focuses on rescuing the victims and caring for their needs. Wearing Egyptian royalty apparel, the shepherds would have recognized Moses’ position of power and would not have resisted when Moses drove them away—hence, there was no need for violence.
Secondly, Moses realizes he does not need to prove himself to Reuel and humbly accepts his lower station of life as a shepherd under a tribal ruler’s care. Resultantly, Moses finds contentment dwelling with Reuel that will help him persevere for forty years of sidelined life, where he will learn to submit to God.
Lastly, given that Moses chose a name for his first son that means “sojourner” in Hebrew, we glimpse into the depth of his grieving heart, for he likely felt destined to wander—finding neither a home in Egypt nor Midian. Indeed, he would sojourn the rest of his life, as he later led the nation back to this region (Mount Sinai) and then forty more years through the wilderness to the cusps of Israel’s Promised Land. Meanwhile, as the Lord orchestrates, Moses finds refuge, rest, and restoration under the care of his host family—and a new start in life.
Our takeaway? Moses’s journey teaches us that even in our darkest moments, there is always a path to redemption and renewal if we are willing to learn and grow. So, when we make poor decisions that set us back, if we wait on God, he will, in due time, lead us into similar scenarios where we will have the opportunity to make better choices that lead us to restoration.
Our part? Worship our loving God, who redeems our failures and works all things for our good (Romans 8:28) in the waiting. So, like Moses, we must stop running and find rest and forgiveness in our Savior, who fosters contentment while we worship him and wait for marching orders. When we do, with God’s help, we will make the right choice when the time comes. So let’s take heart from Moses’ journey and remember that our mistakes can be our greatest teachers, guiding us toward a brighter future in Christ.
Prayer: Father God, we thank you for your Son, who, finding rest and contentment in you, made the righteous choice to offer his life to redeem ours. Also, we thank you for Moses’ example, who demonstrated a teachable, humble heart that fostered rest and contentment amid sad feelings of alienation. So, please help us learn from our mistakes and worship and wait on you, our Redeemer, to lead us to new opportunities where we will make the right choice with your Holy Spirit’s help. Amen.
Rev. Gordon Green, M.Div., M.A. Counseling
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