But the Midwives Feared God....

But the midwives feared God, and did not do as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the male children alive.” ~ Exodus 1:17, NKJV

After Joseph's death, the children of Israel multiplied and grew strong. When a new king (probably a new dynasty) arose who did not know Joseph, the Egyptians began to enact population control measures against the Hebrews who shared their borders. The new Pharaoh feared the Hebrews' strength. When rigorous labor and harsh taskmasters didn't stop the Hebrews from multiplying, he called in the midwives - Shiphrah and Puah - and commanded them: “When you do the duties of a midwife for the Hebrew women, and see them on the birthstools, if it is a son, then you shall kill him; but if it is a daughter, then she shall live.” (vs. 16) These brave women were caught between a choice of two fears, the fear of God and the fear of man. If they chose to fear God over man, and disobey Pharaoh's edict, Shiphrah and Puah risked everything - including their very lives. But if they chose to disobey God out of fear of Pharaoh, they risked not only their lives, but also their souls. Jesus taught His disciples, “And I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear Him who, after He has killed, has power to cast into hell; yes, I say to you, fear Him!” (Luke 14:2-5) Who is greater? Man or God? Whose commandment trumps the other's? Shiphrah and Puah chose to fear God rather than man and save the Hebrew boys alive. “Therefore God dealt well with the midwives, and the people multiplied and grew very mighty. And so it was, because the midwives feared God, that He provided households for them.” (vs. 20-21) The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom, the first step on the road of blessing, and the way that - ironically - brings freedom from any kind of terror. The fear of God is healthy and clean. The fear of God brings life. The fear of man, on the other hand, “brings a snare.” (Pro. 29:25) I love Shiphrah and Puah for their example. They feared God; they put themselves at risk for the sake of the babies they helped bring into world; they defied an evil Pharaoh and served the loving, righteous God instead. The recognizable blessings they received as the result of their conduct go to show us the truth that the fear of God is always blessed. We may pay with our lives when we go against the will of man in order to obey the Lord; but we will reap eternal life, and the fulfillment of all the great and precious promises we have in Christ. The Pharaohs of this world are not be feared - only God is. And when we do fear Him, we find His perfect love casts out all fear.

by Rebecca....