Shiphrah and Puah

Exodus 1:15-22

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.”

Now I don’t think any of us are shocked that Pharaoh did evil to the Israelites, we’re all pretty familiar with the Exodus story and the horrors of captivity in Egypt. But for a moment I just want to examine some irony in Pharaoh’s logic here.

Pharaoh commands Shiphra and Puah to kill all of the Hebrew baby boys because he views them as the major threat to his power, but all the while it is these two women who fear God that are foiling his plan before his very eyes.

I want to talk specifically to our young women for a moment, I don’t think it will come as a surprise to you that there are those who will consider you less useful to the kingdom of God than a man. And when that happens I want you to remember that because the Bible says because two brave women were faithful to God, God’s chosen people multiplied and grew very strong.

Young men, that’s a lesson you should keep close to your heart as well. Our God is powerful and faithful and He works through every one of His people to accomplish His will, and the things He can do through His people are limitless.