Read the Daily Bible Verse – Exodus 2:17 To Strengthen Your Spiritual Journey.
Exodus 2:17 is a significant verse within the context of the Bible that reflects pivotal moments in the life of Moses and the broader narrative of God’s deliverance of Israel. To fully understand this verse and its application, we must delve into its context, meaning, and relevance to our lives today. This article explores the meaning of Exodus 2:17, its historical context, its theological insights, and how it can be applied in modern-day life.
The Context of Exodus 2:17 (KJV)
Exodus 2:17 is part of a larger narrative in the Book of Exodus, which begins with the story of the Israelites’ oppression in Egypt. At this point in the text, Moses is still a young man, having grown up in Pharaoh’s household, but he has fled Egypt after killing an Egyptian taskmaster who was abusing an Israelite. He escapes to Midian, a region east of Egypt, where he encounters the daughters of the priest of Midian at a well. Exodus 2:17 directly follows the encounter where Moses helps the priest’s daughters by driving away some shepherds who were harassing them.
Let’s examine the verse in its King James Version (KJV):
Exodus 2:17 KJV: “And the shepherds came and drove them away: but Moses stood up and helped them, and watered their flock.”
This verse is part of Moses’ early life in Midian, which marks a transition point in his personal journey. Moses, having fled Egypt, now lives in exile, and this particular event is a turning point that sets the stage for his eventual calling by God.
The Setting of Exodus 2:17
At the time of this event, Moses is living in a foreign land. Having left Egypt due to his act of killing the Egyptian, Moses is seeking refuge in Midian. The Midianites, though not Israelites, were related to Abraham through his second wife, Keturah (Genesis 25:1-6). The specific location of Moses’ encounter is a well, a common setting in the Old Testament for pivotal meetings, as seen in stories like that of Jacob meeting Rachel at a well (Genesis 29:2-12).
The reference to “shepherds” and “watering the flock” also points to a pastoral, nomadic culture, where the shepherds were responsible for tending to flocks of sheep and ensuring they had access to water. Moses’ intervention in driving away the other shepherds and helping the daughters of the priest of Midian shows his willingness to defend the weak and helpless, a theme that will become central to his role as Israel’s deliverer.
The Meaning of Exodus 2:17
Exodus 2:17 carries a profound significance in the life of Moses, as it marks a moment when his compassion and leadership qualities are revealed. The literal actions in this verse—driving away the other shepherds and watering the flock—are not merely incidental; they carry symbolic meaning for Moses’ future role as a leader of Israel.
Compassion and Justice
Moses’ action in this verse highlights his concern for justice. The shepherds’ harassment of the priest’s daughters represents an abuse of power, and Moses steps in to protect them. His intervention shows a deep sense of justice and a desire to defend the vulnerable. This characteristic would become integral to his later leadership, particularly in his role as God’s chosen instrument to deliver the Israelites from Egyptian oppression.
Moses’ act of standing up to the unjust shepherds is a precursor to his role as a deliverer of God’s people from oppression. His compassion for the weak and his sense of justice demonstrate the heart of a leader who will later confront Pharaoh, stand up to injustice, and ultimately lead a nation to freedom.
Leadership and Responsibility
The action of Moses in Exodus 2:17 is also a reflection of his emerging leadership qualities. Leadership in the Bible is often depicted not as a position of power, but as one of service and responsibility. Moses’ willingness to step into a situation where others might have remained passive reveals an innate leadership instinct. He did not ignore the plight of the priest’s daughters, nor did he shy away from the challenge of confronting the other shepherds.
In a broader sense, this moment at the well foreshadows Moses’ later calling by God. Just as Moses helped these women in a seemingly small way, God would later call him to lead an entire nation out of slavery. This formative experience at the well shows that leadership, according to God’s will, often begins with the small acts of service and justice that are sometimes overlooked by others.
Exodus 2:17 Application in Life
Exodus 2:17 offers several practical lessons for life today. While the setting and characters are from a different time and culture, the themes in the verse transcend these differences and are applicable to modern readers.
1. Stand Up for Justice and the Vulnerable
One of the key applications of this verse is the call to stand up for justice and defend the vulnerable. In Moses’ case, his intervention prevented the exploitation of the priest’s daughters by the shepherds. Similarly, in today’s world, we are called to stand up against injustice, whether it be in the workplace, in communities, or in broader societal contexts.
Standing up for what is right requires courage, just as Moses displayed in this moment. He did not simply watch the injustice unfold; he actively worked to correct it. As followers of Christ, we are called to act in similar ways—to care for the oppressed and to work toward justice and fairness in all aspects of life.
2. Leadership Begins with Small Acts of Service
Another significant application is that leadership often begins with small, unnoticed acts of service. Moses’ leadership journey did not begin with grand gestures; it began with a simple, yet significant, act of helping the daughters at the well. In our own lives, God may call us to serve in small ways that may not seem monumental at the time but are part of a larger plan. Whether it’s helping a neighbor, taking care of someone in need, or speaking out for the voiceless, these small acts of service are where true leadership begins.
3. God Uses Ordinary People for Extraordinary Purposes
Moses was not a perfect man. At this stage in his life, he was a fugitive, living in exile. Yet God saw his potential and used this seemingly insignificant event at the well as a way to shape his future calling. The application here is that God often uses ordinary people—people who may not seem “qualified” or “ready”—to accomplish extraordinary things. God sees what others may not see and uses everyday moments to prepare us for the tasks He has for us.
Comparison with Other Biblical Texts
Exodus 2:17 shares several thematic parallels with other passages in Scripture. The Bible often highlights the importance of justice, compassion, and leadership through acts of service.
Moses and Other Biblical Leaders
Moses’ act of protecting the priest’s daughters is reminiscent of other Old Testament leaders who exhibited leadership through acts of compassion. For instance, when David encounters the plight of the Amalekite families after their village was raided (1 Samuel 30:1-20), he exemplifies a similar spirit of justice and compassion.
Additionally, the act of standing up for others in the face of injustice is exemplified by figures like Esther, who risked her life to save her people from genocide (Esther 4:16), and Nehemiah, who took action to rebuild Jerusalem despite opposition (Nehemiah 2:17-20). In each of these instances, leadership begins with seeing a need and acting in faith to meet it.
Jesus’ Ministry: Serving Others
In the New Testament, Jesus embodies the ultimate model of leadership through service. His life is characterized by acts of compassion, healing, and justice, from healing the sick to confronting the injustices of the religious leaders. Jesus Himself teaches that the greatest among His followers are those who serve others (Mark 9:35, John 13:12-17). Moses’ act of standing up for the priest’s daughters prefigures the heart of Jesus’ ministry—a ministry that serves and defends the marginalized.
The Good Samaritan
A well-known parable that echoes the themes of Exodus 2:17 is the Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37). In this parable, a Samaritan man shows compassion and care for a wounded traveler, while others, including a priest and a Levite, pass by without offering help. Like Moses, the Good Samaritan steps in where others refuse to act, demonstrating that true leadership involves selflessness, compassion, and service to those in need.
Modern-Day Relevance of Exodus 2:17
Exodus 2:17 is not just a historical narrative about Moses; it has profound relevance for modern readers. In today’s world, we live in a time when injustice and oppression are still prevalent. Whether it is racial inequality, human trafficking, or poverty, there is much in society that requires believers to step in and help. Moses’ example challenges Christians to actively engage in justice, compassion, and leadership, even in seemingly small or overlooked situations.
Furthermore, the verse reminds us that leadership in God’s Kingdom is often marked by service and humility, not by titles or power. It challenges the modern tendency to prioritize individual success over communal well-being and calls us to imitate Christ in His sacrificial love and care for others.
Conclusion
Exodus 2:17 is a verse rich in meaning, offering timeless lessons about justice, leadership, and compassion. Through Moses’ actions at the well, we see a foreshadowing of the qualities that would define his life as the leader of the Israelites. In this verse, Moses demonstrates the heart of a leader who acts justly, defends the oppressed, and serves others selflessly.
Exodus 2:17 Commentary
The application of this passage today encourages us to stand up for justice, lead with humility, and serve others in small but meaningful ways. As we reflect on the story of Moses, we are reminded that God often uses ordinary people in extraordinary ways to bring about His purposes. In a world still in need of compassion and leadership, Exodus 2:17 offers both a challenge and a model for how we can live out our faith in everyday situations.
Related topics:
- Exodus 2:16 Meaning, Context & Commentary
- What does Exodus 2:15 Mean?
- Exodus 2:14 Meaning, Context & Commentary