Get Real November 23 Devotional
November 23, 2024
EXODUS 2:16-20 | 16 The priest of Midian had seven daughters. They came to draw water and filled the troughs to water their father’s flock. 17 But some shepherds came and drove them away. Moses got up and came to their defense and watered their flock. 18 When they returned to their father Reuel, he said, “How is it that you have come back so soon today?” 19 They said, “An Egyptian helped us against the shepherds; he even drew water for us and watered the flock.” 20 He said to his daughters, “Where is he? Why did you leave the man? Invite him to share a meal.”
In the ancient world, the scariest situation was when someone was cut-off from their family by circumstance or loss. The extended family, and the group of families or tribe, provided economic organization, security, the police, the army, the company, or the government. Moses was separated from his Egyptian and Hebrew families and was utterly alone.
Notice how the situation is rectified. He has chosen justice over position in Egypt and once again intervenes to protect the weak from the abuse of the strong. He defends the daughters of the priest of Midian from some aggressive shepherds and then assists them in drawing water (scarce water resources were a source of conflict then and now). Through this chance encounter, he meets and is adopted into a new clan and a new set of relationships.
Moses’ passion for the exploited got him into trouble in Egypt but it bought him a new family in Midian. When have your
passions helped or hurt your life?
