Page:An Exposition of the Old and New Testament (1828) vol 1.djvu/270

238 were hidden from their eyes, because they knew not the day of their visitation. As to Moses, we may look on it as a great damp and discouragement to him. He was now choosing to suffer affliction with the people of God, and embracing the reproach of Christ; and now, at his first setting out, to meet with this affliction and reproach from them, was a very sore trial of his resolution. He might have said, "If this be the spirit of the Hebrews, I will go to court again, and be the son of Pharaoh's daughter." Note, First, We must take heed of being prejudiced against the ways and people of God, by the follies and peevishness of some particular persons that profess religion. Secondly, It is no new thing for the church's best friends to meet with a great deal of opposition and discouragement in their healing saving attempts, even from their own mother's children; Christ himself was set at nought by the builders, and is still rejected by those he would save.

(4.) The flight of Moses to Midian, in consequence. The affront given him thus far proved a kindness to him; it gave him to understand that his killing of the Egyptian was discovered, and so he had time to make his escape, otherwise the wrath of Pharaoh might have surprised him and taken him off. Note, God can over-rule even the strife of tongues, so as, one way or other, to bring good to his people out of it. Information was brought to Pharaoh (and it is well if it were not brought by the Hebrew himself whom Moses reproved) of his killing the Egyptian; warrants are presently out for the apprehending of Moses; which obliged him to shift for his own safety, by flying into the land of Midian, v. 15. [1.] Moses did this out of a prudent care of his own life. If this be his forsaking of Egypt, which the apostle refers to, as done by faith, (Heb. 11. 27.) it teaches us, that when we are at any time in trouble and danger for doing our duty, the grace of faith will be of good use to us in taking proper methods for our own preservation. Yet there, it is said, He feared not the wrath of the king; here it is said he feared, v. 14. He did not fear with a fear of diffidence and amazement, which weakens, and has torment, but with a fear of diligence, which quickened him to take that way which providence opened to him for his own preservation. [2.] God ordered it for wise and holy ends. Things were not yet ripe for Israel's deliverance. The measure of Egypt's iniquity was not yet full; the Hebrews were not sufficiently humbled, nor were they yet increased to such a multitude as God designed; Moses is to be further fitted for the service, and therefore is directed to withdraw for the present, till the time to favour Israel, even the set time, came. God guided Moses to Midian, because the Midianites were of the seed of Abraham, and retained the worship of the true God among them, so that he might have not only a safe, but a comfortable settlement among them. And through this country he was afterward to lead Israel, with which (that he might do it the better) he now had opportunity of making himself acquainted. Hither he came, and sat down by a well, tired and thoughtful, at a loss, and waiting to see which way Providence would direct him. It was a great change with him, since he was but the other day at ease in Pharaoh's court: thus God tried his faith, and it was found to praise and honour.

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 ye 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 Zipporah his daughter. 22. And she bare him a son, and he called his name Gershom: for he said, I have been a stranger in a strange land.

Moses here gains a settlement in Midian, just as his father Jacob had gained one in Syria, Gen. 29. 2, &c. And both these instances should encourage us to trust Providence, and to follow it. Events that seem inconsiderable and purely accidental, afterward appear to have been designed by the wisdom of God for very good purposes, and of great consequence to his people. A casual transient occurrence has sometimes occasioned the greatest and happiest turns of a man's life.

Observe,

I. Concerning the seven daughters of Reuel the priest or prince of Midian; 1. They were humble and very industrious, according as the employment of the country was; they drew water for their father's flock, v. 16. If their father was a prince, it teaches us that even those who are honourably born, and are of quality and distinction in their country, yet should apply themselves to some useful business, and what their hand finds to do, do it with all their might. Idleness can be no one's honour. If their father was a priest, it teaches us that ministers' children should, in a special manner, be examples of humility and industry. 2. They were modest, and would not ask this strange Egyptian to come home with them, (though handsome and a great courtier,) till their father sent for him. Modesty is the ornament of that sex.

II. Concerning Moses; he was taken for an Egyptian; (v. 19.) and strangers must be content to be mistaken; but it is observable,

1. How ready he was to help Reuel's daughters to water their flocks. Though bred in learning and at court, yet he knew how to turn his hand to such an office as this, when there was occasion; nor had he learned of the Egyptians to despise shepherds. Note, Those that have had a liberal education, yet should not be strangers to servile work, because they know not what necessity Providence may put them in of working for themselves, or what opportunity Providence may give them of being serviceable to others. These young women, it seems, met with some opposition in their employment, more than they and their servants could conquer; the shepherds of some neighbouring prince, as some think, or some idle fellows that called themselves shepherds, drove away their flocks; but Moses, though melancholy and in distress, stood up and helped them, not only to get clear of the shepherds, but when that was done, to water the flocks. This he did, not only in complaisance to the daughters of Reuel, (though that also did very well become him,) but because, wherever he was, as occasion offered itself, (1.) He loved to be doing justice, and appearing in the defence of such as he saw injured, which every man ought to do, as far as it is in the power of his hand to do it. (2.) He loved to be doing good; wherever the providence of God casts us, we should desire and endeavour to be useful; and