Why Scripture Says Moses Was Tending the Flock

(Exodus 2:21:) "Then Moses consented (wa-yo'el) to dwell with the man." Rabbi Judah says: What is the meaning of "consented" (wa-yo'el)? That he swore an oath to him, as it is said (I Samuel 14:24): "And Saul made the people swear (wa-yo'el)." He accepted upon himself to dwell with him; and "consented" (wa-yo'el) means nothing other than an expression of dwelling, as it is said (Judges 19:6): "And now, please consent (ho'el) and spend the night." (Exodus 2:21, continued:) "And he gave Zipporah his daughter to Moses." Once he took his daughter, he appointed him to shepherd his flock, as it is said (Exodus 3:1): "Now Moses was tending the flock." What is the meaning of "was tending"? Rabbi Yohanan said: Everyone of whom "was" is stated, he was so at his beginning and he was so at his end; he was worthy at his beginning and worthy at his end. The Rabbis say: Everyone of whom "was" is stated nourished and sustained. They said to him: But behold (Genesis 3:1): "Now the serpent was more cunning." He said to them: He too was prepared for punishment. They said to him: But it is written (Genesis 4:2): "And Cain was a tiller of the ground." He said to them: He too was prepared for exile. They said to him: But it is written (Jeremiah 38:28): "And it was when Jerusalem was captured." He said to them: It was a good sign for her, for had Jerusalem not been captured, the enemies of Israel would have been consumed. Rabbi Levi said: Everyone of whom "was" is stated saw a new world; therefore (Exodus 3:1): "Now Moses was tending the flock."