In Exodus chapter two, verse fifteen, the land of Midian is a place in the northwest Arabian Peninsula where Moses was there for forty years. Why did he stay there for that period? Moses attempts to break up a fight between two Hebrews and learn that his murder of a violent Egyptian was not a secret. Soon afterward, Pharaoh hears of the crime of Moses and seeks to have him killed. Moses chose to flee to save his own life.
Moses is said to have rested by a well in the land of Midian when he first came there. Why? The Bible does not specify why Moses stayed at the well, but his actions to follow helped him realize his own mistakes back in Egypt. The contrast stands out from the previous activity of Moses. Previously, Moses killed an Egyptian who mistreated one of his people. In this account, he helps those in need without committing a crime, even though they are unrelated to him.
In the land of Midian, Moses gets an opportunity to reflect on how he conducted himself among the Egyptians. The rest at the well allowed him to redeem himself and change his ways by helping the daughters of the Priest of Midian to water their father’s flock. He aided them by standing his ground against the shepherds who attempted to hasten them away. The kind gesture by Moses in the land of Midian at the well was the beginning of God’s preparation for his future task in this same region: in the wilderness of Sinai. God did some work in the desert with Moses.
There are many of us today in a situation like Moses. Not necessarily where he destroys an Egyptian life but the immaturity part of growing up as a young person and making some questionable decisions. However, like Moses, there is an opportunity to help prepare us to do better and correct the wrongs we have done. Sometimes a different setting will aid us in rehabilitation and growth. We do not have to change countries or cities but find a quiet area to re-evaluate ourselves and ask God to help. Guide us to conduct ourselves among others the right way: God’s way.