Moses at the Well in Midian
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Background and Context:
Moses, a central figure in the Old Testament, is renowned for leading the Israelites out of Egyptian bondage and receiving the Ten Commandments from God. Before these monumental events, Moses experienced a period of exile in Midian, a region located east of the Sinai Peninsula. This period of his life is pivotal, marking a transition from his Egyptian upbringing to his role as a shepherd and eventual leader of the Israelites.

Scriptural Account:
The account of Moses at the well in Midian is found in the Book of Exodus, specifically in Exodus 2:15-22. After fleeing Egypt to escape the wrath of Pharaoh for killing an Egyptian, Moses arrives in Midian. The Berean Standard Bible recounts this episode as follows:

"When Pharaoh heard about this, he tried to kill Moses, but Moses fled from Pharaoh and settled in the land of Midian, where he sat down beside a well." (Exodus 2:15)

Encounter at the Well:
While sitting by the well, Moses encounters the seven daughters of Reuel (also known as Jethro), the priest of Midian. These women come to draw water for their father's flock but are driven away by shepherds. Demonstrating his sense of justice and protective nature, Moses intervenes:

"But some shepherds came along and drove them away. So Moses got up and came to their rescue and watered their flock." (Exodus 2:17)

This act of kindness and bravery not only aids the daughters but also establishes Moses' character as a defender of the oppressed, a theme that resonates throughout his life.

Integration into Midianite Life:
Impressed by Moses' actions, Reuel invites him to stay with his family. Moses accepts the invitation, and this marks the beginning of his integration into Midianite life. He eventually marries Zipporah, one of Reuel's daughters, and they have a son named Gershom:

"Moses agreed to stay with the man, and he gave his daughter Zipporah to Moses in marriage. And she bore him a son, and Moses named him Gershom, saying, 'I have become a foreigner in a foreign land.'" (Exodus 2:21-22)

Significance:
Moses' time in Midian is significant for several reasons. It serves as a period of preparation and transformation. During these years, Moses transitions from a prince of Egypt to a humble shepherd, learning the skills and gaining the experiences necessary for his future leadership role. His marriage to Zipporah and his relationship with Jethro also provide him with familial support and wisdom, which prove invaluable in his later endeavors.

Furthermore, this episode highlights God's providence and preparation. Even in exile, Moses is being shaped for his divine mission. The well in Midian becomes a place of divine appointment, where Moses' journey towards becoming the deliverer of Israel begins.
Subtopics

Iconoclasm: Destroyed by Moses

Miscegenation: Moses

Moses

Moses is a Herdsman for Jethro in the Desert of Horeb

Moses with Aaron Assembles the Leaders of Israel

Moses with his Wife and Sons, he Leaves Jethro to Perform his Mission in Egypt

Moses: 120 Years Old at Death

Moses: A Levite and Son of Amram

Moses: A Type of the Messiah

Moses: Along With Aaron

Moses: Appoints Joshua As his Successor

Moses: Benedictions of Last Benediction Upon the Twelve Tribes

Moses: Benedictions of Upon the People

Moses: Body of, Disputed Over

Moses: Character of Called the Man of God

Moses: Character of Complainings of

Moses: Character of Faith of

Moses: Character of God Spoke To, As a Man to his Friend

Moses: Character of Impatience of

Moses: Character of Magnanimity of, Toward Eldad and Medad

Moses: Character of Magnified of God

Moses: Character of Meekness of

Moses: Character of Obedience of

Moses: Character of Respected and Feared

Moses: Character of Unaspiring

Moses: Commissioned As Leader of the Israelites

Moses: Composes a Song for the People of Israel on Their Deliverance from Pharaoh

Moses: Crosses the Red Sea; Pharaoh and his Army are Destroyed

Moses: Death and Burial of

Moses: Discovered and Adopted by the Daughter of Pharaoh

Moses: Face of, Transfigured

Moses: God Reveals to Him his Purpose to Deliver the Israelites and Bring Them Into the Land of Canaan

Moses: Has the Vision of the Burning Bush

Moses: Hidden in a Small Basket

Moses: His Controversy With his Wife on Account of Circumcision

Moses: His Loyalty to his Race

Moses: His Rod Miraculously Turned Into a Serpent, and his Hand Was Made Leprous, and Then Restored

Moses: His Virility

Moses: Institutes a System of Government

Moses: Jealousy of Aaron and Miriam Toward

Moses: Joined by his Family in the Wilderness

Moses: Joins Himself to Jethro, Priest of Midian

Moses: Learned in all the Wisdom of Egypt

Moses: Meets Aaron in the Wilderness

Moses: Mourning For, Thirty Days in the Plains of Moab

Moses: Not Permitted to Enter Canaan, But Views the Land from Atop Mount Pisgah

Moses: People Complain Against Moses and Aaron

Moses: Present With Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration

Moses: Prophecies of

Moses: Rebellion of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram Against

Moses: Receives Comfort and Assurance from the Lord

Moses: Rejected by Pharaoh; Hardships of the Israelites Increased

Moses: Renews his Appeal to Pharaoh

Moses: Reproves Aaron For: Irregularity in the offerings

Moses: Reproves Aaron For: Making the Golden Calf

Moses: Secures the Deliverance of the People and Leads Them out of Egypt

Moses: Takes the Life of an Egyptian Taskmaster

Moses: Unbelief of the People

Moses: Under Divine Direction Brings Plagues Upon the Land of Egypt

Mutiny: Israelites Against Moses

Patriotism: Moses

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Due (93 Occurrences)

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Portion (227 Occurrences)

Besides (178 Occurrences)

Moses at the Burning Bush
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