16 Now a priest of Midian had seven daughters, and they came to draw water and fill the troughs to water their father’s flock. 17 Some shepherds came along and drove them away, but Moses got up and came to their rescue and watered their flock.
18 When the girls returned to Reuel their father, he asked them, “Why have you returned so early today?”
19 They answered, “An Egyptian rescued us from the shepherds. He even drew water for us and watered the flock.”
20 “And where is he?” Reuel asked his daughters. “Why did you leave him? Invite him to have something to eat.”
21 Moses agreed to stay with the man, who gave his daughter Zipporah to Moses in marriage. 22 Zipporah gave birth to a son, and Moses named him Gershom, saying, “I have become a foreigner in a foreign land.” Exodus 2:16-22
Moses’ name means “to draw out” so when he drew water for the sisters, it was no small irony or play on words.
Moses got a pretty good deal. He watered a flock and gained a wife for the trouble!
Notice, though, they they named their firstborn Gershom, meaning “I have become a foreigner in a foreign land.” Getting back to Canaan was always on their minds, even though it wasn’t apparent what that would involve or how they would get there. It was a longing they had.
How’s your longing for the Promised Land, Heaven? Do you think about it? If so, what comes to mind? Do you stare up in the skies and wonder about it? Do you wonder what your loved ones are doing up there?
This world is not our home; we really are only passing through.
Take that to heart today as you consider the subject of heaven and eternal life.