During the years while he lived in Midian, Moses often had to learn and practice humility. Back in Egypt he had acquired knowledge and power. Then in Midian, where he spent forty years as a foreigner and a shepherd, he realized that there were many times when he wasn't in control of his situation and he didn't know as much as he thought he knew.

The work of tending sheep taught Moses more than humility. Sheep need shepherds to lead them to green pastures and quiet waters. They need shepherds to separate aggressive sheep from timid sheep, ward off predators, and keep strays from wandering. Moses learned how to do these things for his sheep in preparation for having to do them for God's people.

Israel would need someone to lead them in a way that directed their attention to God. That's humble leadership. Israel would also need someone who could lead them to food, water, and safety, and who could gather them when they wandered. That's capable leadership.

It's a mark of God's love for his people that he prepared Moses so well to be their leader. Later God showed his love by sending Jesus to lead us, through his death and resurrection, out of our own slavery from sin and into life. That's where we become recipients of his wonderful leadership, if we accept his love.