“The midwives, however, feared God and did not do what the king of Egypt had told them to do; they let the boys live.”
Exodus 1:17 (NIV)
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”
Proverbs 9:10 (NIV)
Before hospitals existed, midwives were essential for all birthing mothers. The midwives in this story were strong faith filled women, who lived under the cruel, controlling domination of Pharaoh in Egypt. Pharaoh commanded the midwives to start killing every Hebrew male newborn, hoping to get control over the robust Hebrew population that was multiplying in their land. The midwives, Shiphrah and Puah, both outwardly agreed to Pharaoh’s new demand, but actually defied the ruling, and continued to deliver every baby and helping them live after birth. Asking a midwife to kill all male babies is like asking a fireman to burn down half a city. It goes against their purpose and calling in life. These midwives were women of courage, who feared God more than Pharaoh, and defied his ruling, putting their own lives at risk.
Life brings many hardships that can challenge our central purpose and calling. We face problems that put fear in us, making us feel we can no longer do what we are called to do. There are many things to fear these days, but if a fear of God comes first, as it did with Shiphrah and Puah, our purpose continues and souls will be saved in the end. A healthy fear of God means standing firm, even when no one else supports you.
I had a grandmother in Greece, who I never knew, who was my father’s mother. She gave birth to ten children and then was deserted by her husband. Instead of feeling sorry for herself, she began offering her midwife services to the women in her nearby villages in Greece. She was able to support her ten children working as a midwife. Eventually, her oldest son, my father, emigrated to America as a teenager, afterward sending for his mother and siblings, who all settled here for the remainder of their lives.
What began as a very sad story, ended happily, and because of her courage, I am here today. The midwives in this story today were all strong, resilient people. They didn’t shrink back in fear of defeat when faced with a frightening situation. Through a healthy fear of God, they all persisted to do anything they could to keep others alive. Shiphrah and Puah, in their decision to save the male children, one day saved a baby boy named Moses, and he grew up to free all the people from slavery under Pharaoh. God gives us courage in our hard times, and if we follow through, we will fulfill our purpose and calling in life, saving many other souls as a result.
When I first heard the story of my grandmother’s struggle, I wondered how she found the strength, but then I realized we each have the same courage deep within us. God is there all along, and will always help us through the many tribulations in a lifetime. Fearing God more than people is the beginning of wisdom, which leads to other virtues, and the courage needed to survive some of life’s most difficult tests.
Lord, help us to find the courage you have given us to overcome many obstacles, and make us a mentor and an inspiration of faith for all those who are watching us. Amen