Zipporah’s
father, Jethro had once been one of Pharaoh's top advisors, but because
he was gracious toward Hebrew people, he had been blackballed and ostracized.
Jethro relocated to Midian, and became the highest
priest of the land. He was a highly respected and intelligent priest, who gave
up the practice of idol worship. The people of Midian weren’t exactly pleased
with his decision, and began to persecute and hate him. (Isn’t that always the
way? You decide to do something beneficial, think independently, or step
outside of the box and along come the haters.)
Jethro's daughters felt the brunt of his
decision. Every time they went to water
their father’s sheep, they were bullied away from the communal well. They figured out a way to work around the
bullies. Imagine if they decided they were too afraid and stopped going to the
well altogether? Instead, they waited patiently until all of the other
shepherds had used the well, and then seized their opportunity. The waiting was no doubt time-wasting. The
sheep needed water, though. There was no time for fear or succumbing to intimidation.
Moses stood up for Zipporah and her sisters, when he showed up in Midian and
saw what was happening. He defended them against the town bullies, and assisted
them in watering their flock. Their father was surprised to see his daughters
arriving back home from the well after being gone for such a short period of
time. Zipporah told her father about the stranger who helped her and her
sisters. Moses was extended an
invitation to Jethro’s house and not long after, he was given Zipporah to be
his wife.
One word in a version of the story that I read would
not let me go. “Communal”. The well where Moses became Zipporah’s hero, was not
off limits. It was not privately owned. Had it been, it would have made sense
for the owner to become irate and chase other shepherds away from it. However,
it didn’t belong to any one person. No one person had more stock in it, or
privileges concerning it, than another. It was to be used or shared in common
by everyone in the town. No one should have dared chase Zipporah and her
sisters away. I understand being concerned about the condition, upkeep, and
proper functioning of shared things, but when resources are communal where does
anyone get the idea that they can commandeer them and determine when, where,
how, how much, and whether others utilize them?
There are a myriad of reasons why people do what
they do, and if some people could keep you from obtaining and enjoying your
portion of what is rightfully yours they would.
Don’t allow it.
So many questions came to mind as I thought about
the incident at the well. How many times
were Zipporah and her sisters harassed and intimidated in their own town, by
people who knew them, before Moses--a stranger-- came along? Why didn’t anyone
else see the injustice and unfairness and help them? Had they told their father
what was happening to them? What did being ostracized and constantly in fear do
to their self-worth? Did it make them stronger, weaker, or more determined? Had
they simply resigned to deal with the situation the best way they could? And
what was up with those shepherds? ( I’d like to think these shepherds, by their
behavior alone, were hired hands. Good shepherds were caring, responsible and
not cowardly.)
Everyone is faced with mean-spirited, selfish,
overbearing people from time to time. How do you cope with those who have
decided that you don’t matter? Who is gossiping about you, and sowing seeds of
discord because of a stand you have taken? Who has been gossiping and
backbiting so much that their attitude is hostile and cold when they encounter
you? Who’s trying to get you out of the way? Is it because they think they’re
better than you? Do they fear that resources are lacking, diminishing, or they
deserve a greater share of them than you?
Who’s assuming that you are weak, insignificant, and
unworthy and attempting to bully you? Who’s trying to frighten you away from
what you have every right to obtain? And why are you allowing it? Are they
bigger, “badder”, or more powerful? Are they armed, or are they just
self-centered, narcissistic bullies who like seeing you cower and cry?
Who’s trying to regulate or force you to change your
plans? Who is keeping your time as if you answer to them? Who is suggesting that
it’s time for you to step aside so they can bully their way into your
position—not because they want the job, but because of the perceived perks they
think you’re receiving? If you have been committed, consistent, efficient,
effective and operating in a spirit of excellence—why are you even thinking
about where your suitcase is? Why are you so easily moved by manipulative,
self-centered people from places where you belong?
Who is trying to move you simply because they’re
insecure and don’t want you in what they think is their lane?
Who’s trying to make you think they’re more
important or more favored than you? Is it true, or is it what they need to be
true in order to make themselves feel better?
Who is intimidating you and causing you to waste the
little that you have obtained in the short or inconvenient amount of time you
had to obtain it?
Who’s persecuting you because of what someone in
your family has done?
Who hasn’t been able to hurt you, so they’ve decided
to harass your children or family members?
Who has a problem with the kindness that you
demonstrate to others?
Who’s mad because you’ve grown intellectually and no
longer ascribe to performance based, or idol based worship?
Who’s got you cowering, hiding, and waiting until
the coast is clear because every confrontation with them is a violent or
combative one?
Who have you allowed to hold you to a ridiculous
budget or standard so that they can have more?
Who sees you going about your business—minding your
business—not bothering anyone, just going about your day, making sure your
needs and the needs of your family are met, and decides that their needs are
more pressing than yours?
Who has decided that you need supervision,
micromanagement, or relegation to a low estate?
Who doesn’t care if you’re lacking essentials that
could affect your health and well-being?
Who has caused you to feel you have to settle for
last place or the low rung on the totem pole?
What adjustments have you made, or how have you
inconvenienced yourself just to avoid running into certain people?
Who thinks that their schedules, appointments, and
time are more important than yours?
Who has imposed a singular claim on what is a joint
or group venture?
Who is diminishing you because of your gender?
Who thinks you shouldn’t be where they are--doing
what they’re doing?
Who thinks you’re too weak or unsuited for the job
you’ve always been doing with ease and precision?
Who has a problem with your ethnicity, nationality,
appearance, language, mannerisms, habits, style, or beliefs, or skill?
Do you always know who’s really behind the decision
making concerning you, or is there a fall guy?
What have you sacrificed so that a significant other
can be free to wholly pursue a higher calling?
It is vital to know the people in your life, and
particularly those in your circle. Recognize integrity, sincerity,
dependability, and kindness. Know who is there for you, not because of what you
have, but because they value the relationship, and value righteousness. Be wise
about confrontation, but don't fear it. Like the song says, "I wanna see
you be brave".
Maya Angelou said, “When people show you who they
are, believe them the first time. Remember this, because it will happen many
times in your life. When people show you who they are the first time believe
them, NOT the 29th time.”
Know those people who smile in your face, and seek
to be close, but don’t mean you any good. Know those people whose smiles make
your day.
Once your eyes are open, keep them open and don’t go
back to sleep...: )
#justkeepgoing
