Exodus 3:1

¶ Now Moses kept the flock of Jethro his father in law, the priest of Midian: and he led the flock to the backside of the desert, and came to the mountain of God, [even] to Horeb.

Now Moses {H4872} kept {H1961}{H7462} the flock {H6629} of Jethro {H3503} his father in law {H2859}, the priest {H3548} of Midian {H4080}: and he led {H5090} the flock {H6629} to the backside {H310} of the desert {H4057}, and came {H935} to the mountain {H2022} of God {H430}, even to Horeb {H2722}.

Now Moshe was tending the sheep of Yitro his father-in-law, the priest of Midyan. Leading the flock to the far side of the desert, he came to the mountain of God, to Horev.

Meanwhile, Moses was shepherding the flock of his father-in-law Jethro, the priest of Midian. He led the flock to the far side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God.

Now Moses was keeping the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian: and he led the flock to the back of the wilderness, and came to the mountain of God, unto Horeb.

Commentary

Exodus 3:1 opens the pivotal narrative of Moses's divine calling, setting the stage for one of the most significant encounters in biblical history.

Context

At this point in his life, Moses has been living in exile in Midian for forty years, having fled Egypt after killing an Egyptian (Exodus 2:15). He has settled into the humble life of a shepherd, tending the flocks of his father-in-law, Jethro, who was the priest of Midian. This period of quiet, seemingly ordinary existence in the wilderness was, in fact, a crucial time of preparation for Moses's monumental future role. Leading the flock "to the backside of the desert" indicates a remote, desolate area, emphasizing Moses's isolation and the unexpected location of his divine encounter. This journey culminates at "the mountain of God, even to Horeb," which is another name for Mount Sinai, a place destined for profound revelation.

Key Themes

  • Divine Providence and Preparation: This verse highlights God's meticulous preparation of His chosen instruments. Moses's forty years as a shepherd in Midian, a time of obscurity and humility, was essential training for leading a nation through the wilderness. This period honed his patience, resilience, and dependence on God, far removed from the royal courts of Egypt.
  • The Ordinary Leading to the Extraordinary: God often meets individuals not in grand temples or palaces, but in the midst of their daily tasks. Moses was simply doing his job when he encountered the miraculous burning bush described in the following verse. This underscores that God can use anyone, anywhere.
  • The Sacredness of Place: The designation "the mountain of God, even to Horeb" immediately elevates this location. Horeb, or Mount Sinai, would become the central point for the giving of the Law and the establishment of the covenant with Israel (Exodus 19:20). Even before the Law was given, this mountain was set apart by God's presence.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew phrase for "mountain of God" is har ha'Elohim, which literally means "mountain of the God." This title emphasizes that this particular mountain is uniquely consecrated to God, serving as a special place for divine manifestation and communication. While "Horeb" is used here, it is often used interchangeably with "Sinai" in other biblical texts, referring to the same significant peak where God would later reveal His commandments and establish His covenant with Israel.

Practical Application

Exodus 3:1 offers valuable lessons for believers today. It reminds us that God often prepares us for our greatest callings during periods of quiet, unseen development. Our "backside of the desert" moments, whether times of waiting, learning, or obscurity, are not wasted. They are opportunities for God to shape our character and equip us. This verse encourages us to be faithful in our everyday responsibilities, for it is often in the mundane that God reveals His extraordinary plan and initiates His divine encounters.

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Cross-References

  • 1 Kings 19:8 (9 votes)

    And he arose, and did eat and drink, and went in the strength of that meat forty days and forty nights unto Horeb the mount of God.

  • Exodus 17:6 (7 votes)

    Behold, I will stand before thee there upon the rock in Horeb; and thou shalt smite the rock, and there shall come water out of it, that the people may drink. And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel.

  • Psalms 78:70 (6 votes)

    He chose David also his servant, and took him from the sheepfolds:

  • Psalms 78:72 (6 votes)

    So he fed them according to the integrity of his heart; and guided them by the skilfulness of his hands.

  • Numbers 10:29 (5 votes)

    ¶ And Moses said unto Hobab, the son of Raguel the Midianite, Moses' father in law, We are journeying unto the place of which the LORD said, I will give it you: come thou with us, and we will do thee good: for the LORD hath spoken good concerning Israel.

  • Exodus 18:1 (4 votes)

    ¶ When Jethro, the priest of Midian, Moses' father in law, heard of all that God had done for Moses, and for Israel his people, [and] that the LORD had brought Israel out of Egypt;

  • Exodus 18:6 (4 votes)

    And he said unto Moses, I thy father in law Jethro am come unto thee, and thy wife, and her two sons with her.