Exodus 1:15–22 (ESV)
“Then the king of Egypt said to the Hebrew midwives, one of whom was named Shiphrah and the other Puah, ‘When you serve as midwife to the Hebrew women and see them on the birthstool, if it is a son, you shall kill him, but if it is a daughter, she shall live.’ But the midwives feared God and did not do as the king of Egypt commanded them, but let the male children live. So the king of Egypt called the midwives and said to them, ‘Why have you done this, and let the male children live?’ The midwives said to Pharaoh, ‘Because the Hebrew women are not like the Egyptian women, for they are vigorous and give birth before the midwife comes to them.’ So God dealt well with the midwives. And the people multiplied and grew very strong. And because the midwives feared God, he gave them families. Then Pharaoh commanded all his people, ‘Every son that is born to the Hebrews you shall cast into the Nile, but you shall let every daughter live.’”
Things get darker here. Pharaoh sees that the Israelites keep growing, and he comes up with a terrible plan. He tells two Hebrew midwives, Shiphrah and Puah, that whenever a baby boy is born, they’re to kill him. It’s horrifying to us but it also shows how afraid Pharaoh really is. He’s not as powerful as he wants everyone to think. Fear is driving him.
But then we meet these two women and they’re an incredible testament to being faithful to God even when they could face dire consequences. The text says they feared God and didn’t do what Pharaoh told them to do. Just think about that. They’re standing before the most powerful man in the world, and they quietly decide, No. We’re going to do what’s right. They knew there was a higher King. Interstingsly Pharoah feared Israel and did the wrong thing, these women feared God and did the right thing. Their fear of God, the deep awe and reverence at who God is is at the core of their obedience. They knew that obeying Him matters more than pleasing people.
And God blesses them for it. The people keep growing, and the midwives themselves are given families. Pharaoh’s plan backfires completely. Every time he tries to shut down God’s promise, it only grows stronger.
If we are to take away one message from this passage it is to see how God often uses ordinary people, who quietly and obediently serve him to stem the tide of evil. Shiphrah and Puah didn’t have swords or armies. They just had faith. And God used that faith to protect a whole generation of children including one baby boy who would soon be born and placed in a basket.
This story reminds us that God’s purposes don’t depend on our power or our position. They depend on God and our trust in him. The world will always try to pressure us to compromise, to go along with what’s wrong. But like these women, we can choose to fear God more than man, trusting that He sees, He knows, and He honors those who stand firm.
Prayer
Father, thank You for the example of these two women who chose to honor You when it wasn’t easy. Give us that same kind of faith — steady, quiet, and courageous. Help us to trust You when doing what’s right comes with a cost. And remind us that You are always at work, even when the world seems to be winning. Thank You that through Christ, Your plan of redemption can never be stopped. In Jesus’ name, Amen.