Women of Steel

On the list of Who’s Who in the bible, Shiphrah and Puah are not familiar names.  They ought to be.  These ladies had nerves of steel.  Among the world’s first human rights advocates, they stood up to Pharaoh.  What did they do?

They were not in the powerful elite, or the famous few, nor were they rich.  They were two Hebrew midwives whose job was simply to assist women in childbirth.  As the population of Israel grew Pharaoh became nervous.  He attempted to keep Israel under control by killing off the baby boys as they were born.  Pharaoh gave direct orders to these midwives to kill any baby boy as soon as he was born.

Exodus 1:17 tells us, “The midwives however, feared God and DID NOT DO what the king of Egypt had told them to do; they let the boys live.” 

They cared more for their reputation with God than with Pharaoh.  They defied the king’s genocidal orders risking their very lives.  Then Pharaoh got wind of what they were doing… 

"Then the king of Egypt summoned the midwives..." (Exodus 1:18)

The bible leaves out the details of what happens next but we can imagine there were a few tense days between the summons and when they stood in Pharaoh’s court.  He was the most powerful man on the planet and he was not accustomed to having his orders ignored. What will he do?

The day came and as they faced the court, Pharaoh demanded an answer, “Why have you done this?  Why have you let the boys live?” (Exodus 1:18)  The ladies do some quick thinking on their feet and lied.  That’s right, they lied!  They told Pharaoh that the Hebrew women are so tough they have their babies before the midwives can arrive.

So, we have two faithful women who fear God more than Pharaoh and disobey his ruling.  When caught they make up a story to get out of trouble.  And what does God do?  “So God was kind to the midwives…” (Exodus 1:20)  

Does that mess with your ethics?  Lying is a sin, yet God looked with favor on these women.  Could it be that God was so pleased with their actions that He overlooked their ruse?  It’s a mystery, but one thing is certain, oft times our private convictions have very public consequences. 

Pharaoh may not be around anymore, but his evil spirit is still oppressing many precious people.  Like Shua and Shiphrah we have the privilege of standing between the oppressor and the oppressed.   Acts 10:38 says that Jesus was “filled with the Holy Spirit and power and He went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil.”  Jesus handed this ministry to us.  We can expect that the oppressor will not sit idle as we undo his wicked work. 

Are you willing to take your stand for Jesus?  The world is waiting for you.  They need the power of God that rests on your life. 

I have a prayer that God has given to me as we bring 2013 to a close.  Would you pray with me for its fulfillment in our day?  

 “I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith…that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.”  ~Ephesians 3:16-19

 Enjoy Jesus. (He enjoys you!)