In our passage this morning, pharaoh ordered Shiphrah and Ruah, these Hebrew midwives to kill these babies if they were boys. Ex. 1:17 says, "But the midwives feared God and did not do as the king of Egypt commanded them, but let the male children live." Then when pharaoh asks the midwives why they didn't do as he commanded they answered (vs. 19), "Because the Hebrew women are not like the Egyptian women, for they are vigorous and give birth before the midwife comes to them."
What do you think of their response? Do you think they are being dishonest to pharaoh? Do you think there could possibly be an explanation for what they said; maybe we don't have full story? Do you think they lied to pharaoh or not? And does it matter? What might be some of the implications if they were dishonest?
I'm curious to hear your thoughts.
Pastor Brian
1 comment:
The Bible says that they “feared God” and that should tell us something. How could they fear Him and not respect his nature which would soon be expressed in His law? Since they didn't fear man, they weren't trying to protect their own lives, which eliminates their only motivation to lie.
Having watched my wife deliver 9 children (2 with midwives) I have a theory about this. God used Pharaoh to push the Hebrews into an intense program of physical exercise (hard work). This would prepare them for a march out of Egypt and for the difficulties of life in the wilderness. So these gals were very fit. The length of time in labor has everything to do with being physically fit – they don't call it labor for nothing!
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