2/10 Exodus 1:17

¹⁷ But the midwives feared God and did not do as the king of Egypt commanded them, but let the male children live.

When a new Pharaoh came to power, he feared the increasing number of Hebrews. He made them work as slaves in his construction projects. He also ordered their midwives to kill any male babies that were born. It was an order directly from Pharaoh. God's word tells us that God is the one that puts people in power and that we should submit to their rule. That was great when Joseph was in power under a good Pharaoh, but what if the ruler orders you to disobey God?

The midwives knew that God is the ultimate authority. Their fear of God's justice was greater than their fear of the Pharaoh's. You can be sure God's justice will prevail whether in this life or the next. The midwives would not obey the evil edict. They made an excuse to Pharaoh that the Hebrew women gave birth before they arrived to help. God blessed these two women with children of their own for their faithfulness to Him and kept them from being punished by Pharaoh.

Pharaoh made the order public so that Hebrews had to kill their own baby boys or face the consequences. Today babies are killed out of fear too. Some fear that they cannot provide for the baby or that the baby will interfere with the mother's life. There is little fear of the justice of God or hope in the blessing that comes from obedience. Sometimes the absence of the fear of God stems from a lack of faith, and other times it is from ignorance of the Word of God.

Consider how you can lovingly encourage women to keep their babies by sharing this story. Guide them to one of the many Christian facilities that will help them or arrange for an adoption. Help them overcome their fear of the future with faith in God. Each and every life is made in God's image and is precious to Him.