JW subtitle extractor

Over the past few months,
you’ve received training that has helped you
draw closer to Jehovah
and deepen your appreciation
for his qualities.
Now, this training has
not only strengthened your faith
but has also equipped you
to serve others
in a meaningful and loving way.
Now, there’s a moment in Moses’ life
that illustrates this well.
Now, it’s not the dramatic crossing
of the Red Sea
or the awe-inspiring moment
when he received God’s Law at Mount Sinai.
No, it was by a well in Midian
where a man stripped of everything familiar
made a simple but powerful choice
to serve others.
Please open your Bibles
to Exodus chapter 2,
and let’s put ourselves in the scene.
That’s Exodus chapter 2.
Now, at this point, Moses is in crisis.
He had just defended a fellow Israelite
by striking down an Egyptian opposer.
Now with this act,
Moses identified himself,
not as an Egyptian,
but as one of Jehovah’s people.
Now, the next day
when he tried to intervene
between two Israelites who were having
a dispute, one man challenged him.
Notice this in verse 14.
That’s Exodus 2:14.
The man said: “Who appointed you
as a prince and a judge over us?
Are you planning to kill me
just as you killed the Egyptian?”
So that moment changed everything.
You know, the verse continues
by saying that “Moses now was afraid”
because he realizes
his actions are no longer secret.
But things are about to get worse.
Notice verse 15:
“Then Pharaoh heard about it,
“and he attempted to kill Moses;
“but Moses ran away from Pharaoh
and went to dwell in the land of Midian,
and he sat down by a well.”
So Pharaoh, who had once raised Moses
in the royal household,
heard about the killing.
But instead of protecting him,
he wanted him dead.
So he flees for his life.
Now, try to picture that moment:
Moses—dusty, exhausted,
emotionally drained
after possibly trekking for days
through harsh terrain—
he had no title, had no position,
and was just a man at a well
along with his thoughts.
Now, he may have been replaying
the events that led him there.
“Anxious” barely begins to describe
how he might have felt.
But the silence doesn’t last.
Notice verses 16 and 17.
It says: “Now the priest of Midian
had seven daughters,
“and these came to draw water
“and to fill the troughs
to water their father’s flock.
“But as usual, the shepherds came
and drove them away.
“At this Moses got up
and helped the women
and watered their flock.”
Now, the verse says “as usual.”
Those words show that this wasn’t new.
The women expected to be bullied
and mistreated by these shepherds.
But this time Moses saw it
and did something.
Now, he didn’t think to himself,
‘Well, this isn’t my problem’
or reflect on his recent experience
and decide:
‘Seriously, this is happening again?
This time I’m not getting involved.’
No, he got up, defended them,
and watered their flock.
Now, the account doesn’t indicate
that Moses even introduced himself
or explained who he was.
He was just a stranger passing by.
Notice how the daughters describe him
in verses 18-20.
It says: “When they came home
to their father Reuel, he exclaimed:
“‘How is it that you have come home
so quickly today?’
“They replied: ‘A certain Egyptian
rescued us from the shepherds,
“and he even drew water for us
and watered the flock.’
“He said to his daughters:
‘But where is he?
“‘Why did you leave the man behind?
Call him, so that he may eat with us.’”
So they didn’t even know his name,
just “a certain Egyptian.”
Yet, as we read in verse 21,
that act of kindness opened the door
to shelter, to family,
and a new life for Moses.
You know, Jehovah
hadn’t abandoned Moses.
No, He saw a willing heart
—a man with compassion
and a readiness to serve others
even when no one was watching.
Those qualities would shape Moses
into a leader who guided God’s people
with courage and faith.
So, what lessons from this account
can you carry into your assignments?
Well, let’s highlight three lessons.
The first: Be a source
of refreshment to others.
You know, Moses saw a need,
and he responded.
You’ve been trained
to see beyond the surface.
You know, maybe a coworker
is unusually quiet or overwhelmed.
Maybe someone
is struggling with their ministry.
You’ve been given the tools to respond:
a scripture shared, a moment of listening,
a silent prayer offered
in someone’s behalf.
These are ways
that all of us can help “water the flock.”
Remember, you’re not just returning
to an assignment or a country.
You’re returning to a spiritual family,
and your example can help strengthen it.
Here’s a second lesson:
Let humility move you to serve others.
You know, Moses
not only defended the women
but he watered their flock.
He went beyond what was expected,
showing the kind of selfless service
that builds trust.
Now, many of you sisters in this class
have done the same,
not just recently, but for years
you’ve shown courage
and humility like Moses.
Some of you have moved to serve
where the need is greater in the past,
you’ve learned difficult languages,
or you began your Bethel service
as a commuter helping a few days a week
with the work of a branch office
or at a remote translation office.
And often you did this
with limited resources
and without expecting
anything in return.
You didn’t serve for position or praise
or with hopes
of future privileges like Gilead.
No, you did it because you love Jehovah
and you love your brothers and sisters.
And that kind of humble service
has not gone unnoticed.
Your example
has quietly encouraged others,
brothers and sisters alike,
to serve with humility.
And Jehovah treasures
that kind of service,
and so does your spiritual family.
So keep serving others
with that same humility,
deep love, and unwavering faith.
Now, here’s a third lesson:
Serve others even when we feel weak.
You know, Moses wasn’t
in a comfortable circumstance
when he helped at the well;
he was fleeing for his life.
He had no clear direction,
no support system,
and no idea what would come next.
Yet, in that moment of personal crisis,
he chose to serve others.
He got up and helped water the flock.
Now, that’s a powerful lesson
because there will be times
in our assignments
when serving others,
when watering the flock, won’t feel easy.
It might be
when we’re navigating a new culture,
a new language,
or adjusting to a new department.
It might be
when our spiritual routine is disrupted
or we feel invisible in our role.
It might be when we’re misunderstood
or we receive counsel from a peer
—someone our own age or even younger
(that can be humbling)—
or when we’re emotionally drained,
missing family,
or dealing with health challenges.
In those moments,
it’s tempting to pull back.
But Moses’ example reminds us
that service offered in weakness
is still powerful.
You know, Jehovah
doesn’t expect perfection,
but he treasures a willing heart
—especially one that serves
despite feeling inadequate.
So when the assignment feels heavy,
the timing inconvenient,
or the recognition absent,
remember 2 Corinthians 12:10:
“When I am weak, then I am powerful.”
Like Moses at the well,
our humble efforts
in behalf of others become mighty
when backed by divine strength
from our Father, Jehovah.
So, what does Moses’
moment at the well teach us,
especially as you prepare
to step into your next assignment?
Well, he wasn’t leading a nation,
and he wasn’t performing miracles;
he was simply a man in crisis
who chose to serve others.
And that choice mattered.
So as you go forward, remember to be
a source of refreshment to others.
Your spiritual depth
can uplift those around you.
Serve others with humility
even when no one is watching.
Your quiet acts of love make a difference.
And stay willing even when you feel weak,
because service offered in difficult times
is still powerful.
Now, there’s a reminder from God’s Word
that captures this mind-set.
It’s Galatians 6:10.
It’s Galatians 6:10.
It reads: “So, then,
as long as we have the opportunity,
“let us work what is good toward all,
but especially toward those
related to us in the faith.”
Now, you’ve already taken hold
of that opportunity
—faithfully doing good toward others,
especially your spiritual family.
And now after receiving
this amazing training,
you’re motivated
more than ever to continue.
So when the moment comes
—unexpected, unrecognized,
and maybe even uncomfortable
—will you be ready
to help “water the flock”?
Well, you will because you will not be alone.
Jehovah sees, he values your effort,
and he will give you the strength you need
to keep serving others right
when you need it the most.

Peter Price: Are You Ready to Help Water the Flock?—158th Gilead Graduation