The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Exodus 2:15-21, “When Pharaoh heard of this matter, he tried to kill Moses. But Moses fled from the presence of Pharaoh and settled in the land of Midian, and he sat down by a well.
16 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.’
21 Moses was willing to dwell with the man, and he gave his daughter Zipporah to Moses.”

Running away is not always a sign of cowardice. In Moses’ case, it was the intelligent thing to do. After all, Pharaoh was not someone to be trifled with; and he was out to get Moses for killing that Egyptian and burying him in the sand.

Water has always been a precious commodity, especially so in ancient times. So when the daughters of the Reuel (also known as Jethro), the priest of Midian came to the well to water their father’s flock, Moses helped them. And when shepherds contended with Reuel’s daughters over the water, Moses drove the shepherds away and watered the daughters’ sheep.

One good turn deserves another. Reuel then shared hospitality with Moses and ultimately gave his daughter Zipporah to Moses as his wife. There is no indication in the Scripture that Moses’ heroic action was done in expectation of anything. He just did what needed to be done, and the LORD rewarded him for his thoughtfulness and kindness.

I’m certainly not suggesting that getting into a fight and defending women will lead anyone to find a wife! We should simply live as the LORD leads us, and do what each situation demands. Whether there is a reward is out of the question. The unanswered question is whether Moses had come to the realization that killing that Egyptian was wrong, and had repented of it before the LORD. In any event, we are to live upright lives before Him and trust Him to lead us daily in paths of righteousness.

Is there anything in your life that is against the LORD’s will or direction for you? Nothing is more vital than getting rid of it. For it is then that He can pour out on you the blessings He has in such abundance!

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