There are people who do things everyday that seem to go unnoticed. They may be the ones who turn the lights and AC/heat on at work before you open, the ones who clean up after hours, the ones who get the call about an issue at midnight when everyone else is sleeping. These people often prefer to remain nameless as they do their work because it's the right thing to do and not for someone else's praise. They don't get their name in lights and often don't receive the recognition they deserve, but their impact is always felt.
In Exodus 1:15-22 there is a similar story. The new king of Egypt has taken reign and greatly fears the Israelite people. He has imposed strict manual labor and harsh conditions on them but their numbers continue to grow. Out of an increasing fear for these people, he now plans to ramp up his attack against the people. He orders the Hebrew midwives, Shiphrah and Puah to kill the sons of the people but allow the daughters to live. But the midwives feared God and refused to follow the king's command and let the male children live. When the king heard of this, he questioned the midwives and they told him that the Hebrew women were vigorous and often gave birth before the midwives arrived to help. God was pleased with the midwives and gave them families, and continued to multiply the people. But the King continued his terrifying rule calling for all Egyptians to throw all Hebrew sons born into the Nile.
One important thing to notice is that in Exodus, a book that shows a strong interest in names and identities, the king of Egypt remains nameless. Yet the midwives who did as God desired are named here in the story, Shiphrah and Puah. Their status and profession didn't make them famous, their faith in, and obedience of, God did.
The midwives showed their trust in God at great risk to their own existence. The king of Egypt had the authority and power to kill them for such disobedience. But the women feared God and doing wrong by Him more than the law of man. These women were not all-knowing students of scripture in order to realize that the command of the Pharaoh was contrary to what was right. They realized what many today have forgotten regarding moral law; "that right and wrong are not human inventions, but a part of a divinely created order."
And look at what the midwives received for their obedience. God blessed them with families and used them to strengthen His people, and He is still blessing those who fear Him today. Are you doing your part to honor God and strengthen His people? Or living a life that goes along with the wishes of the current worldly king?
In Exodus 1:15-22 there is a similar story. The new king of Egypt has taken reign and greatly fears the Israelite people. He has imposed strict manual labor and harsh conditions on them but their numbers continue to grow. Out of an increasing fear for these people, he now plans to ramp up his attack against the people. He orders the Hebrew midwives, Shiphrah and Puah to kill the sons of the people but allow the daughters to live. But the midwives feared God and refused to follow the king's command and let the male children live. When the king heard of this, he questioned the midwives and they told him that the Hebrew women were vigorous and often gave birth before the midwives arrived to help. God was pleased with the midwives and gave them families, and continued to multiply the people. But the King continued his terrifying rule calling for all Egyptians to throw all Hebrew sons born into the Nile.
One important thing to notice is that in Exodus, a book that shows a strong interest in names and identities, the king of Egypt remains nameless. Yet the midwives who did as God desired are named here in the story, Shiphrah and Puah. Their status and profession didn't make them famous, their faith in, and obedience of, God did.
The midwives showed their trust in God at great risk to their own existence. The king of Egypt had the authority and power to kill them for such disobedience. But the women feared God and doing wrong by Him more than the law of man. These women were not all-knowing students of scripture in order to realize that the command of the Pharaoh was contrary to what was right. They realized what many today have forgotten regarding moral law; "that right and wrong are not human inventions, but a part of a divinely created order."
And look at what the midwives received for their obedience. God blessed them with families and used them to strengthen His people, and He is still blessing those who fear Him today. Are you doing your part to honor God and strengthen His people? Or living a life that goes along with the wishes of the current worldly king?
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