And the shepherds came and drove them away: but Moses stood up and helped them, and watered their flock. Exodus 2:17
Ancient codes and laws forbad preventing anyone from accessing a well in the semi-arid area where the event in today’s text occurred. But a group of Midianite women was an easy target for the local shepherds, who wanted to keep the precious water for themselves. This well was likely the only one in that part of the land. Moses’ gentlemanly act toward those women might seem to be a small incident. But it was a crucial piece of God’s purposes in delivering His people from Egyptian bondage.
In delivering the women from the unfair and probably illegal harassment of the shepherds, Moses showed the same moral compass of opposing injustice that had caused him to flee Egypt. He was upholding an honour code in a manner that proved him to be a man that God could use for the eventual deliverance of His people. Our text says Moses helped those women. The term ‘helped’ carries the meaning of deliverance. Here, he could rescue seven women from bullying shepherds; in 40 years he could rescue a million Israelites from Egyptian slavery.
One interesting note is how this event brought Moses into a relationship with the priest of Midian. The name Reuel means friend of God. Here Moses was entering the presence and service of a man who worshiped the God of the Israelites, a man whose later counsel proved of immense value to Moses. All part of God’s plan for Moses.
We are like Moses, in that the events of our past have shaped us and brought out those traits that God can use in worship and service for Him. If God has guided our past, we must allow Him to guide our future. -Jim MacIntosh
Here is the link to the video of this message: https://youtu.be/GD0XbJS6po4