“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.”
Context:The book of Exodus recounts the story of the Israelites’ deliverance from slavery in Egypt and their journey towards the Promised Land. In this particular verse, Moses, who was raised in the Egyptian palace, has fled to Midian after killing an Egyptian taskmaster who was mistreating an Israelite. Here, we find Moses helping the daughters of Jethro, the priest of Midian, by defending them from shepherds and assisting them in watering their flock.
God’s Providence:The events described in this verse are significant because they show God’s providential hand at work. Although Moses was far away from his people and seemingly detached from God’s plan, God orchestrated circumstances that led to Moses becoming an instrument of deliverance for the Israelites. This event prepared Moses for his future role as the leader and deliverer of God’s people.
Divine Intervention:The encounter between Moses and the daughters of Jethro demonstrates God’s intervention on behalf of His people. The shepherds were mistreating Jethro’s daughters, and Moses stepped in to protect them. It is noteworthy that God used a seemingly ordinary task of drawing water from a well to bring about an extraordinary meeting between Moses and Jethro’s daughters. This encounter eventually led to Moses being welcomed into Jethro’s family and finding refuge in Midian.
Foreshadowing of Moses’ Calling:This verse provides a foreshadowing of Moses’ future calling. Moses demonstrated qualities of leadership, compassion, and justice when he intervened to defend the daughters of Jethro. These characteristics became vital in his role as the deliverer of God’s people, as he later confronted Pharaoh and led the Israelites out of Egypt.
Lessons for us:
- God’s plan often unfolds through unexpected circumstances and encounters. We should be attentive to God’s leading even in seemingly ordinary situations.
- God’s providence is at work in our lives, even when we may feel detached or uncertain about our purpose. Trusting in His guidance and timing is essential.
- Like Moses, we should be ready to stand up for justice and help those in need. God can use our actions and choices to fulfill His purposes.
Overall, Exodus 2:19 highlights God’s providential care, His ability to work through unlikely circumstances, and the early signs of Moses’ calling as a deliverer. It encourages us to trust in God’s leading and be willing to act with compassion and justice in our own lives.
