Bible Study Online Article

In the last article, we took a look at how Moses came to find out that his killing of the Egyptian was no longer a secret.

He found this out after he was trying to break up a fight between two of his fellow Hebrew brethren the next day.

We also took a look at the so-called "contradiction argument" that Bible opponents are trying to make, when it comes to the Moses account and the book of Hebrews.

After taking a closer look at their argument, we found that it didn't hold water, being that the statements between Moses and the apostle Paul were referring to two different time periods:

Paul the apostle: -- "By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured as seeing Him who is invisible. (Hebrews 11:27)

The earlier record by Moses: -- "Then he said, 'Who made you a prince and a judge over us? Do you intend to kill me as you killed the Egyptian?' So Moses feared and said 'Surely this thing is known!'" (Exodus 2:14)

The Scriptures have revealed to us that Moses had fled from the Egyptian empire and headed out; and eventually sought refuge within the land of Midian. This came about because Moses would come to rest at a well that was located within that land.

I also would like to point out that the events that are to follow, are very similar to the recorded events that took place when Jacob had to leave his father's house, when he was fleeing from his brother's wrath. Keep in mind that both accounts are great examples of God's providence towards those who are in His covenant. But let's move forward...

"Now the priest of Midian had seven daughters. And they came and drew water, and they filled the troughs to water their father's flock. Then the shepherds came and drove them away; but Moses stood up and helped them, and watered their flock." (Exodus 2:16,17)

Keep in mind that the Midianites were known to be Arabian; and others refer to them as a diverse group of nomads. Both are correct, being that Arabians are often called nomads. Be that as it may, the Midian tribe were located in the desert north of the Arabian Peninsula. They were known to be metal workers and import and export traders. They were also descendants of Midian who was the fourth born son unto Abraham by Keturah.

It's at this point from within the Sacred Record, that we find ourselves being introduced somewhat to the priest of Midian's seven daughters. As we can see by the passage above, it's revealed that the daughters of the Midian priest; weren't strangers to hard labor, in spite of their positions that they held within the land.

As we move forward, we find that some shepherds were perhaps intimidating the women, for we are told that they had drove them away from the well. Now we are not told who these shepherds were, or how many were in their group.

But it's at this point that we gain some further insight into the courage that Moses possessed and his character, for he was willing to stand up to these shepherds and defend the women; and he helped those same women to water their flocks afterwards.

The women were very happy at what Moses had done, and in return they went home to tell their father about his great deed: "When they came to Reuel their father, he said, "How is it that you have come so soon today? And they said, "An Egyptian delivered us from the hand of the shepherds, and he also drew enough water for us and watered the flock." (Exodus 2:18,19)

As we can see from the passage, their father Reuel was surprise that they had made it back home so quickly. This could be an indication that this was an ongoing problem for the women, when they went to water their father's flocks at the well.

We should also note that the women had described Moses as an "Egyptian." I hold the viewpoint that this could show that Moses was still dressed in his royal Egyptian garb as he fled from the Egyptian kingdom, or as others would suggest; that he spoke with an Egyptian dialect and that he had the mannerisms of an Egyptian.

But let's move forward. After hearing this, their father was pleased; and he asked his daughters: "So he said to his daughters, 'And where is he? Why is it that you have left the man? Call him, that he may eat bread.'" (Exodus 2:20)

The women had left Moses back at the well, being that it would have been rude if they had brought him back to the house uninvited. Plus, there's no clear indication of what kind of relationship that the Midianites had with the Egyptians.

In the next article we will see how Reuel will reward Moses, or if he will reward him at all for the favor that he did for his daughters. If Moses is rewarded, will he accept? Will Moses decide to stay in the land of Midian, or decide to move on?

Joseph the Overseer of Egypt

Jacob Becomes Ill

The Prophecies of Jacob

**YOUR CURRENT BIBLE STUDY ONLINE SERIES WOULD BE HERE**

128) Moses the Historian

129) The Exodus Stage

130) The Fall of the Hyksos Kingdom

131) A New Pharaoh Rises

132) The Egyptian Affliction

133) Israel a Nation within Transition

134) Israel's New Generation

135) The Hebrew Midwives - Shiphrah and Puah

136) The Hebrew Midwives - The Fear of God

137) Moses the Son of Levi

138) Moses the Son of Egypt

139) Moses the Sympathetic Killer

140) Moses the Exiled Son

141) <-CURRENT PAGE->

142) Moses A Man On The Run

143) Moses the Midian Dweller

144) Moses In The Wilderness

145) The Call of Moses