What does Exodus 2:18 mean?

The scene transitions from the women watering their flock to their return home. Their father, Reuel, asks how they returned home so soon. He is surprised, perhaps knowing his daughters were often mistreated by male shepherds who watered their own flocks first. His question will lead to a response from the daughters regarding Moses. Moses then becomes the object of their father's questions (Exodus 2:20). Reuel—also known as Jethro—discovers that Moses has rescued his daughters from harassment at the hands of other shepherds (Exodus 2:16–17). Reuel eagerly desires to meet Moses, rewards him, and soon makes him part of the family.

An interesting aspect of this verse is the theme of "home." Moses grows up in a home not his own and later flees this home for exile. In contrast, Reuel and his family have a home where Moses will be welcomed and treated well. Even during his forty years of exile, God provides for Moses and his needs. This background foreshadows God's future provision for the Jewish people. God will bring the Jews out of Egypt and into exile for forty years where He will supernaturally provide for their needs before bringing them into their own land.