Exodus 2:19
And they said, An Egyptian delivered us out of the hand of the shepherds, and also drew water enough for us, and watered the flock. And they said, An Egyptian delivered us out of the hand of the shepherds, and also drew water enough for us, and watered the flock.
The verse belongs to the account of Moses' flight to Midian after he killed an Egyptian and Pharaoh sought his life, with God directing him to Midian to a home with Jethro. Jethro was priest and prince of Midian and a worshiper of God who also kept sheep, and his daughters tended his flocks. The verse records Jethro's daughters describing Moses as an Egyptian who rescued them from the shepherds and drew water and watered their flock, identifying him as Egyptian because of his appearance and Egyptian background, though he was a Hebrew living in Midian. His helpful act brought him into contact with Jethro's household, where he was welcomed, and after a time he married one of Jethro's daughters and remained forty years in his father-in-law's service as keeper of his flocks.
Those first years in Midian were part of God's preparation of Moses, for after his premature attempt to defend Israel by force he needed experience in adversity and poverty before he was ready for his appointed work. He entered that lowly station of keeping flocks after training in Egypt as a mighty statesman and leader of armies, which had not taught him the lessons essential for true greatness. In that humble work his sympathies were drawn out to the sheep and lambs, and he learned to guard these creatures of God with the tenderest care and to become tender toward every living thing, for God cares for all the creatures He has made. Though their voice can never complain of mistreatment, their attitude may reveal much. By learning there what it means to be a true shepherd and caretaker rather than harsh and overbearing, he learned to be a tender shepherd for Israel.