Why the Midwives Disobeyed the King’s Command in Exodus 1

Shiphrah and Puah feared God, so they disobeyed the king of Egypt and saved the Hebrew baby boys. Exodus 1 shows, in sequence, the oppression that began with the king’s fear and the choice made by the two midwives.

The New King’s Fear Led to Oppression

Joseph, his brothers, and everyone of that generation died. But the descendants of Israel were fruitful, multiplied, grew strong, and filled the whole land. After that, a new king who did not know Joseph began to rule over Egypt.

The new king said that the descendants of Israel were more numerous and stronger than the Egyptians. He worried that if the descendants of Israel became even more numerous, they might join Egypt’s enemies in war, fight against Egypt, and leave the land. Fearing something that had not yet happened, the king decided to suppress the descendants of Israel.

The king appointed overseers and imposed heavy burdens on the descendants of Israel. They had to build Pithom and Rameses for Pharaoh. Even while they were mixing clay, baking bricks, and working the fields, harsh labor continued.

Despite Abuse, the Descendants of Israel Flourished

Contrary to what the king expected, the more the descendants of Israel were oppressed, the more they multiplied and increased. The Egyptians were distressed because of the descendants of Israel, and they made their lives even more bitter. Exodus 1 records both the fact that their numbers increased and the fact that their labor became harder.

When heavy labor still could not stop the growth of the descendants of Israel, the king issued a command that directly targeted life itself. He told the Hebrew midwives, Shiphrah and Puah, to kill any boy who was born and let any girl live. The two midwives had to choose how to respond to the king’s command.

The Midwives Feared God

Shiphrah and Puah did not obey the king of Egypt. They let the Hebrew baby boys live. The reason this passage gives directly for their action is that the two midwives feared God.

The king summoned the midwives and asked why they had let the boys live. The midwives replied that the Hebrew women were vigorous and gave birth before they arrived. The passage does not separately evaluate that answer, but focuses on the fact that the midwives feared God, disobeyed the king’s command, and let the children live.

God showed kindness to the midwives. The people continued to multiply and grow very strong. Because the midwives feared God, He also gave them households of their own.

What We Fear Shapes Our Choices

Exodus 1 presents two different fears. The king of Egypt feared the descendants of Israel, who had become numerous and strong. His fear led to heavy labor and to a command to kill the children.

By contrast, Shiphrah and Puah feared God. They disobeyed the king’s command and let the boys live. Whom they feared separated the choice to take life from the choice to preserve life.

Even after the midwives’ choice, the oppression did not end immediately. The king commanded all his subjects to throw every Hebrew boy born into the river. So this passage does not say that fearing God instantly removes every difficulty. It does clearly show who the two midwives feared and how they acted under pressure.

Examine One Decision Today

One thing to do today is to read Exodus 1 and examine one decision currently before you. Ask, “Am I choosing because of pressure from people, or am I choosing out of fear of God?”

You do not need to handle every problem at once. Place just one decision you need to make today before this question. Rather than applying Shiphrah and Puah’s actions mechanically to every situation, look at the reason for their choice as the passage states it and consider it alongside your own decision.

Text Basis

• Exodus 1:1-7
• Exodus 1:8-14
• Exodus 1:15-19
• Exodus 1:20-22