Exodus 2:17

And when some shepherds came along and drove them away, Moses rose up to help them and watered their flock.

Study Bible

And when some shepherds came along and drove them away
In the ancient Near East, shepherding was a common occupation, and wells were vital for watering flocks. Conflicts over water rights were frequent, as seen in Genesis 26:20-22 with Isaac's wells. The shepherds' actions reflect a disregard for social justice, as they exploit their strength to oppress the daughters of Reuel, a Midianite priest. This incident highlights the vulnerability of women in ancient societies and sets the stage for Moses' intervention, which aligns with God's concern for justice and protection of the oppressed, as seen throughout Scripture (e.g., Psalm 82:3-4).

Moses rose up to help them
Moses' actions here foreshadow his future role as a deliverer of Israel. His willingness to stand against injustice and protect the vulnerable is a precursor to his leadership in liberating the Israelites from Egyptian bondage. This act of courage and justice aligns with the character of God, who often raises leaders to defend the oppressed (Judges 2:16). Moses' intervention is also a type of Christ, who stands as the ultimate deliverer and protector of His people (John 10:11).

and watered their flock
By watering the flock, Moses not only provides immediate relief but also demonstrates servant leadership, a quality that will define his future role. This act of service is reminiscent of Jesus' teaching on leadership, where the greatest must be a servant (Matthew 20:26-28). The imagery of water is significant throughout the Bible, symbolizing life, cleansing, and the Holy Spirit (John 4:14, John 7:38-39). Moses' actions here can be seen as a reflection of God's provision and care for His people, a theme that will be evident in the wilderness wanderings when God provides water from the rock (Exodus 17:6).

Persons / Places / Events

1. Moses
A Hebrew by birth, raised in Pharaoh's palace, who later becomes a central figure in leading the Israelites out of Egypt. In this verse, he acts as a protector and helper.

2. Shepherds
These are local men who attempt to drive away the daughters of Reuel, showing a lack of respect and justice.

3. Daughters of Reuel
They are the daughters of the priest of Midian, who come to water their father's flock. Their encounter with Moses leads to his integration into their family.

4. Midian
A region where Moses flees after leaving Egypt. It is here that he encounters Reuel's daughters and begins a new chapter in his life.

5. Reuel (Jethro)
The priest of Midian and father of the daughters. He later becomes Moses' father-in-law.

Teaching Points

Courage in the Face of Injustice
Moses' actions demonstrate the importance of standing up for what is right, even when it involves personal risk.

Servant Leadership
Moses exemplifies servant leadership by taking action to help those in need, a model for Christian leadership today.

God's Preparation
This event is part of God's preparation of Moses for his future role. God often uses everyday situations to prepare us for His purposes.

Hospitality and Community
The daughters' acceptance of Moses into their family highlights the importance of hospitality and community in God's plan.

Divine Appointments
Moses' encounter with the daughters of Reuel was not by chance but a divine appointment that led to significant developments in his life.

Bible Study Questions

1. How does Moses' intervention for the daughters of Reuel reflect his character and foreshadow his future role as a leader of Israel?

2. In what ways can we demonstrate courage and stand up for justice in our own communities, as Moses did?

3. How does the concept of servant leadership, as demonstrated by Moses, apply to our roles in family, church, and work?

4. Reflect on a time when God used an ordinary situation in your life to prepare you for something greater. How did you respond?

5. How can we practice hospitality and build community in our own lives, following the example of Reuel's family?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Acts 7:24-25
Stephen recounts Moses' actions, highlighting his sense of justice and his role as a deliverer, even before his divine calling.

Genesis 29:10
Jacob also helps water a flock, drawing a parallel between Moses and Jacob as protectors and providers.

John 4:7-14
Jesus speaks to the Samaritan woman at the well, offering "living water," which can be seen as a spiritual parallel to Moses' act of providing water.