22:4 elders of Midian. The Midianites (descendants of Abraham through Keturah) and the Moabites (descendants of Abraham’s nephew, Lot) were both related to the Israelites, but apparently felt more at ease trusting a Mesopotamian prophet (presumably a descendant of Ham) than their own kinsmen. One can find here an analogy with the attitude of many professing Christians who are more comfortable in the world than with God’s people.