Exodus 2:16Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Those preoccupied with secular matters neglect what is truly necessary, opting instead for vain pursuits and immoral pleasures. There can be no doubt that such fleshly desires divert one from fulfilling vital and worthwhile objectives, as the Scriptures remind us that ‘the carnal mind is enmity against God’ (Rom. 8:7), and that an individual who focuses on worldly matters becomes ‘an enemy of God’ (James 4:4). Thus, the inclination towards worldly concerns is indeed a manifestation of excess. Christ warned, ‘What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world but loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?’ (Matthew 16:26).

It is noteworthy that one of the daughters of Levi gave birth to the holy Moses, while Jethro had seven daughters. This signifies the lineage from which Christ emerged in the flesh, with Moses serving as a foreshadowing of Him. The seven daughters reflect the multitude of Gentile nations, akin to the societies of the world. Christ, having come from the Jewish synagogue, ventured to numerous Gentile communities that were oppressed by wicked shepherds—those worldly figures who exploited them. He came to save them. Now, we shall explore the nature of this violence and the manner in which assistance was rendered. Sacred Scripture often compares the innate understanding of God to a storehouse from which we derive guidance for our actions; it serves like a fountain from which flows the knowledge of goodness and the glory of God, seen as through a mirror (1 Cor. 13:12). Thus, God chastised those who neglected His love and turned towards idol worship, as conveyed through Jeremiah's words: ‘Be astonished, O heavens, and be horribly afraid, saith the Lord. For My people have committed two evils: they have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters, and have hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water’ (Jeremiah 2:12-13). A false ministry is akin to a broken storehouse, unable to provide words robust enough to offer life; however, the unblemished knowledge of God is indeed a source of true life. Accordingly, the storehouse symbolizes our intrinsic knowledge. We must search for God with a willing mind, adhering to the path of truth. If one is led astray by demonic temptations, their efforts will ultimately serve only the demons. The drawing of water by Jethro's daughters, who were overpowered by stronger adversaries, reflects a similar spiritual weakness. Just as they were seduced from the innate knowledge they possessed into absurdity and deception, people can also fall prey to delusion, becoming tools of malevolent spirits. Yet Christ provided protection, dispelling those unrighteous shepherds while providing the living water of His divine teachings. He proclaimed, ‘If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink’ (John 7:37). Thus, Jethro symbolizes a world rife with excess and vanity, while each of his seven daughters represents a distinct Gentile society. The oppressive shepherds can be viewed as a collective of demons, while Christ stands as our protector, safeguarding and nurturing through His divine grace.

In both locations, a well is indicated, traditionally recognized as the spot where Moses encountered Raguel's daughters. As customary, there was contention over water access and the right to water livestock. While men tended the large herds, it was the women or girls who provided water for the animals.