Exodus 3

Exodus 3:16-22

16. Now the *priest of Midian had seven daughters: and *they came and drew water, and filled the troughs to water their father’s flock. 17. And the shepherds came and drove them away: but Moses stood up and helped them, and watered their flock. 18. And when they came to *Reuel their father, he said, How is it that you are come so soon to day? 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. 20. And he said unto his daughters, And where is he? Why is it that ye have left the man? Call him, that he may eat bread. 21. And Moses was content to dwell with the man: and he gave Moses Zeppouk his daughter. 22. And the bare dam a son, and he called his name *Gerthom: for he said, I have been ‘a stranger in a strange land.

An occurrence of providence, graciously ordered, introduces him into the family of Reuel, elsewhere called Jethro, a priest or prince of Midian. Note, Every man should be both prince and priest in his own house. We have,

1. His meeting of Reuel’s daughters at the well. Some shepherds behaving rudely to them, Moses affils them to water their flocks. No man is too great to do a kind act for the distressed.

2. Their report of it to their father. Though sensible of the kindness, they were too modest to ask him home, till their father was acquainted with it. Note, Nothing so harmful in a woman as forewardness, nothing so pleasing as modesty.

3. Moses is kindly entertained by Reuel, espouses his daughter, and hath by her a son, called Gerthom, as a remembrance of his being a strange place. Here he finds a retreat, and whilst he sends his father’s flocks, is prepared, by communion with God, and his appearances to him, for the great work he had appointed him. Note, There are greater enyments to be obtained in the wilderness with God, than in all the pleasures in the courts of princes.

4. And it came to pass in proceeds of time, that the king of Egypt died, and the children of Israel *signed by reason of the bondage, and they cried; and *their cry came up unto God, by reason of the bondage. 24. And God heard their groaning, and God remembered his *covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob. 25. And God looked upon the children of Israel, and God *had respect unto them.

Exodus 3:23-25

The Israelites, who had neglected their deliverer, now groan under aggravated bondage. God will often long and severely rebuke his own people, for their humiliation. Hereupon,

1. They cry unto God. Had they thought of him before, probably they had not groaned so long. It is a sign God is beginning to save, when he pours out a spirit of prayer and supplication upon us.

2. God’s attention to them, and his remembrance of them. No prisoner’s sighs are unnoticed, no burthened sinner’s groans disregarded by him; he will hear their cry, and will help them.