The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Exodus 2:16-20, “Now the priest of Midian had seven daughters; and they came to draw water and filled the troughs to water their father’s flock.
17 Then the shepherds came and drove them away, but Moses stood up and helped them and watered their flock.
18 When they came to Reuel their father, he said, “Why have you come back so soon today?”
19 So they said, “An Egyptian delivered us from the hand of the shepherds, and what is more, he even drew the water for us and watered the flock.”
20 He said to his daughters, “Where is he then? Why is it that you have left the man behind? Invite him to have something to eat.”

I’m sure you’ve heard the expression: “One good turn deserves another.” Unfortunately, there are too few “good turns” to start with; and when they’re found, there are still fewer “good turns” left with which to reciprocate.

Watering flock of any description was and is a difficult task. In the first place, wells were exceedingly deep. I remember dropping a rock into Jacob’s Well in Israel. I waited and waited and finally heard it splash in the waters far below. Instantly, I had an appreciation for both the well-diggers and those who drew the water for their livestock.

I live in a nice community. Kids, many of whose name I do not know, are always waving to me when I’m outside. Sometimes they come to my door looking for a job that would help us both; and it’s then that I see how polite they are close-up.

But, apparently, those who opposed the seven daughters of the Midian priest didn’t have the manners of boys in my living area. Deep well or not, there was plenty of water for everyone. “Just get in line, boys! These girls were here first! And besides, they’re drawing water for my livestock, as well as for their own. You’ll get your turn!

It was then that the “Egyptian” (Moses) helped the girls; and the girls reported such to their father. In a half-hearted tone, Reuel, their father, rebuked the girls for not inviting Moses to dinner. (Politeness was the rule of the day, whoever you were.)

Although Moses never intended to stay with Reuel and his family, he evidently made an impression on them all, so much so that Reuel even gave one of his daughters to Moses as his wife.

Times have changed because people have changed. Unfortunately, it’s not always for the better. We have a different code of ethics than those of Moses’ and Reuel’s day. At the same time, they can teach us something if we will but listen. The LORD is our Shepherd, too, if only we will allow Him to be so.

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.
Springdale, Arkansas 72764
United States of America

“We never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom