Shiphrah and Puah: Saving Hebrew Boys
Day 1, Week 6 of Beautifully Surrendered, A Love God Greatly Study
Today’s Reading: exodus 1:1-21; SOAP: verses 17 and 21
17 But the midwives feared God and did not do what the king of Egypt had told them; they let the boys live.
21 And because the midwives feared God, he made households for them.
Exodus 1:17 and 21 NLT
The story:
In a time when the land of Egypt was full of Israelites the King became concerned that they would overtake the Egyptians if a war should break out. So, in order to stop the increasing number of Israelites he ordered all newborn baby boys to be killed by the midwives. Shiphrah and Puah were two of the Hebrew midwives under orders from the King to kill all boys at birth. However, the midwives feared God rather than man, so they defied the King’s order and chose to let the boys live. Because they chose God’s way over man’s they were blessed by God with families of their own.
How Then Should We live?
Luke wrote of “Peter and the other Apostles” in the book of Acts, chapter five, verse 29 – that they should obey God rather than man. This is exactly what Shiphrah and Puah chose to do when the King had instructed the midwives We too should fear/obey God rather than man and consider carefully our response to orders that are contradictory to His will. We would also be wise to watch for ways God asks or allows us to use our gifts or profession for Him, as He did in the case of the midwives.
Prayer Response:
Father,You are the Great Orchestrator, placing us where we need to be, when we need to be there, and giving us peace to combat our fears of man. Than you for the encouragement that when we choose well You will bless us. For Your Gory –
YOUR TURN:
What’s your take away from the story of Shiphrah and Puah?
REFLECTION QUESTIONS:
Shiphrah and Puah feared God more than they feared the king of Egypt.
- What lesson can we learn from these brave women?
- What was the result of their obedience?
WANT MORE?
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