What role does family play in God's plan, as seen in Exodus 2:20? “So he said to his daughters, ‘Then where is he? Why did you leave the man behind? Invite him to have something to eat.’ ” Setting the Scene • Moses, a fugitive from Egypt, has just defended Reuel’s (Jethro’s) daughters at the well. • Reuel’s question is a father’s prompt: bring the rescuer home, show gratitude, extend hospitality. • This moment becomes the doorway to Moses’ marriage to Zipporah and the birth of his sons (2:21–22). • A single act of family hospitality aligns with God’s redemptive timeline, preparing Israel’s future deliverer. Family as a Place of Protection • Reuel shields his daughters by ensuring the man who defended them is welcomed into the household. • Scripture consistently portrays the family as a protective covering: – Proverbs 1:8-9: “Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction…” – Psalm 68:6: “God settles the lonely in families…” • God’s plan places fathers and mothers as frontline guardians, reflecting His own protective heart. Covenantal Hospitality • Opening the home to Moses models the biblical call to welcome strangers (cf. Hebrews 13:2). • Hospitality is not peripheral; it forges covenant bonds and advances God’s purposes: – Genesis 18:1-10: Abraham’s hospitality precedes the promise of Isaac. – Here, Reuel’s hospitality precedes Israel’s deliverance through Moses. Formation of God-Honoring Marriages • Reuel’s invitation leads directly to Moses taking Zipporah as wife (Exodus 2:21). • Marriage, instituted in Genesis 2:24, is the core building block for family and society. • God weaves marital unions into His salvation story—Moses and Zipporah will parent Gershom and Eliezer, names that testify to God’s help (2:22; 18:4). Family as the Cradle of Leadership • Moses finds stability, counsel, and mentorship under Reuel, later receiving governance advice (Exodus 18:17-24). • Leadership training often begins at home: – 1 Timothy 3:4-5 links household management to shepherding God’s people. • God forms leaders in family settings before launching them into public ministry. Family as a Generational Witness • Reuel’s house becomes the stage where Moses learns Midianite priestly reverence for God. • The Law will later command parents to transmit faith to their children (Deuteronomy 6:6-7). • Families preserve and proclaim God’s acts across generations, keeping His story alive. Key Takeaways • God uses ordinary family decisions—like inviting a guest to dinner—to move His redemptive plan forward. • A godly household offers protection, hospitality, formation, and spiritual legacy. • By valuing and nurturing family, believers partner with God in shaping future deliverers, leaders, and witnesses of His grace. |
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