Today's reading is a helpful counterpoint to yesterday's reading emphasizing obedience to government. In this case, the King of Egypt was worried about the high population growth of the Israelite population. Not only did Egypt enslave the Israelites; they also tried to kill the boy babies at birth. The midwifes, heard Pharoah's command, but knew that was against God's will. Instead of following an unjust order, they used creativity, craftiness and deception to bring God's justice. Following God and following government is sometimes more complicated than we can expect, but usually we can do both.
God bless,
Sam
Exodus
1:15-22
15The king of Egypt said to the Hebrew midwives, one
of whom was named Shiphrah and the other Puah, 16“When you act as
midwives to the Hebrew women, and see them on the birthstool, if it is a boy,
kill him; but if it is a girl, she shall live.” 17But the midwives
feared God; they did not do as the king of Egypt commanded them, but they let
the boys live. 18So the king of Egypt summoned the midwives and said to them, “Why have you done this, and allowed the boys to live?” 19The midwives said to Pharaoh, “Because the Hebrew women are not like the Egyptian women; for they are vigorous and give birth before the midwife comes to them.” 20So God dealt well with the midwives; and the people multiplied and became very strong. 21And because the midwives feared God, he gave them families. 22Then Pharaoh commanded all his people, “Every boy that is born to the Hebrews you shall throw into the Nile, but you shall let every girl live.”
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