Moses Leading His Flock in the Midian DesertBible World
2:17Exodus 2:17
And the shepherds came and drove them away: but Moses stood up and helped them, and watered their flock.
This verse belongs to the flight of Moses to Midian and his arrival and life there, where he found a home with Jethro's family and took up care of their flocks. The Lord directed him in that flight to Jethro, priest and prince of Midian and a worshiper of God. When other shepherds came and drove away Jethro's daughters as they were tending the flock, Moses stood up for them, protected the women, helped Jethro's family, and watered the animals for them. Through that meeting he was welcomed into Jethro's household and became shepherd and keeper of his flocks, after a time married one of Jethro's daughters, and remained there forty years in the service of his father-in-law.
In taking up the work of watering the flock and tending sheep, Moses began learning what it means to be a true shepherd, for his training in Egypt as a mighty statesman and leader of armies had not taught him the lessons essential for true greatness, and he needed experience in more humble duties to become a caretaker tender toward every living thing. In keeping Jethro's flocks his sympathies were drawn out to the sheep and lambs, and he learned to guard these creatures of God with the tenderest care, for though their voice can never complain of mistreatment their attitude can show much, and God cares for all the creatures He has made. In this lowly station he learned to be a tender shepherd for Israel, showing that those who deal with others must not be harsh, rude, and overbearing but faithful, gentle, and tender.
This verse belongs to the flight of Moses to Midian and his arrival and life there, where he found a home with Jethro's family and took up care of their flocks. The Lord directed him in that flight to Jethro, priest and prince of Midian and a worshiper of God. When other shepherds came and drove away Jethro's daughters as they were tending the flock, Moses stood up for them, protected the women, helped Jethro's family, and watered the animals for them. Through that meeting he was welcomed into Jethro's household and became shepherd and keeper of his flocks, after a time married one of Jethro's daughters, and remained there forty years in the service of his father-in-law.
In taking up the work of watering the flock and tending sheep, Moses began learning what it means to be a true shepherd, for his training in Egypt as a mighty statesman and leader of armies had not taught him the lessons essential for true greatness, and he needed experience in more humble duties to become a caretaker tender toward every living thing. In keeping Jethro's flocks his sympathies were drawn out to the sheep and lambs, and he learned to guard these creatures of God with the tenderest care, for though their voice can never complain of mistreatment their attitude can show much, and God cares for all the creatures He has made. In this lowly station he learned to be a tender shepherd for Israel, showing that those who deal with others must not be harsh, rude, and overbearing but faithful, gentle, and tender.