THEOSISCyrill of Alexandria
Moses, while resting at the well, came to the aid of Jethro’s daughters. These seven women, who were caring for their father's sheep, guided the thirsty animals to the troughs. However, as they gathered water with difficulty, some of the local shepherds drove them away with force. Moses stood up for them, drawing water himself and serving the sheep, as recorded. Jethro is symbolic of the world, being a priest of the Midianites—not serving the true God, but worshipping creatures and idols crafted by human hands. Similarly, the world has wandered, offering its devotion to deceptive spirits instead of to God.
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The name Jethro signifies "excess," which mirrors the nature of the world filled with superfluity, where those preoccupied with worldly matters neglect what is essential and instead indulge in vain amusements and immoral pleasures. It is clear that those who seek to live properly must avoid these fleshly excesses and distractive thoughts, for as stated, "the carnal mind is enmity against God" (Rom. 8:7), and those who focus on the things of this world "are enmity with God" (James 4:4). Thus, the inclination towards worldly concerns, and indeed the world itself, embodies true excess. Christ proclaimed, "For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?" (Matthew 16:26).
It is noteworthy that one daughter of Levi bore the blessed Moses, while Jethro had seven daughters. One of these is likened to the Jewish people from whom Christ, in his physical lineage, emerged, with Moses serving as a precursor. However, the daughters represent the many Gentile nations inhabiting the world. Jesus departed from the synagogue—His earthly origin—and reached out to diverse Gentile communities, oppressed by malevolent shepherds, the worldly figures of this age, and He redeemed them.
Let us now contemplate the nature of this violence and the essence of divine intervention. Scripture often illustrates divine knowledge as a storehouse, from which we draw wisdom for our undertakings; it flows like a fountain, reflecting the goodness of God, as indicated in our understanding (1 Cor. 13:12). Thus, the Lord reproached those who forsook the love of God and pursued the worship of false deities, as conveyed through the prophet Jeremiah: "Be astonished, O ye heavens, at this, and be horribly afraid, be ye very desolate, saith the Lord. For My people have committed two evils: they have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water" (Jeremiah 2:12-13). A false ministry can be compared to a cracked cistern, incapable of providing life-giving sustenance, while true knowledge of God represents a genuine fountain of life. Thus, the concept of a storehouse serves as a metaphor for inherent wisdom.
As long as we seek to pursue the knowledge of God with a willing heart and not by coercion, walking steadfastly in the path of truth, we remain grounded. In contrast, those who are led astray by demonic influences, seeking to fulfill their own desires, ultimately find their efforts confirmed by those spirits. I believe this illustrative drawing of water by Jethro's daughters highlights their plight, as they are misled, much like how innate understanding can fall into delusion and be used for demonic purposes. Yet, Christ provided protection; He repelled the unjust shepherds and quenched the thirst of the spiritually parched with His living water, embodying His divine teachings. Consequently, He invites, "If any man thirst, let him come unto Me, and drink" (John 7:37). Therefore, Jethro symbolizes a world rife with excess and vanity, and his seven daughters represent various Gentile communities, with each daughter standing for a distinct society. The evil shepherds, operating with great force, symbolize a cluster of demons. Christ remains our protector, guiding us with divine insight.