“B UT THE MIDWIVES feared God; they did not do as the king of Egypt commanded them, but they let the boys live” (Exodus 1:17).
Five courageous women risk life, freedom and children. They will do anything for their children. Even break the law. But let’s look at the story.
In the centuries between the Joseph narrative of Genesis and the Moses narrative of Exodus, the political landscape of Egypt shifts. The descendants of Jacob’s sons and their households thrive in Egypt, so much so that they seem to be everywhere. Their power, their status, their social standing have grown over several hundred years.
† † †
NOTHING INDICATES the Hebrews are anything other than loyal subjects to Pharaoh. (Pharaoh is the title given to the king of Egypt.) Joseph, the Hebrew, had been Pharaoh’s right hand man. Joseph’s family moved to Egypt and probably had some favored status due to Joseph’s powerful position. By this time they are, most likely, productive and fully integrated members of Egyptian society.
Something changed, however. These foreigners who had been welcomed into Egypt are no longer welcome. The text says that, “a new king arose over Egypt, who did not know Joseph.” The memory of the Hebrew contribution to the country’s success and well-being has faded. People don’t remember their history and the new Pharaoh exploits that to advance his agenda.
Pharaoh is responsible for his people’s economic and spiritual welfare. Pharaoh dispenses justice. His will is supreme. He governs by royal decree. Whatever pharaoh wants Pharaoh gets. Whatever Pharaoh commands, people do.
Pharaoh begins his version of “Make Egypt Great Again” All Egyptians are to help cleanse the country of those who are not true Egyptians. There’s getting to be too many Hebrews, these descendants of Joseph. You go downtown and hear Hebrew as much as you hear Egyptian. This leads to severe mistreatment of the Hebrews, escalating to enslavement and ultimately to ethnic cleansing.
† † †
YOU SEE, PHARAOH COMMANDS that all Hebrew boys be killed at birth or drowned in the Nile.
This is where Shiphrah and Puah enter the story. They are midwives to the Hebrew women. When Pharaoh orders these two midwives, Shiphrah and Puah, to kill the Hebrew baby boys, they refuse to go along because they “fear God.” You can infer from this statement that they fear God more than they fear Pharaoh and his possible retribution.
Fear of God is not the same fear that one feels from the Pharaohs of the world. “To fear” as used here translates as “to honor” God. These midwives know Pharaoh’s actions are evil. They will not be a part of that evil. They know the character of the God. They “fear” or honor God’s ways more than they fear the wrath of Pharaoh.
The story highlights the cleverness of these women who defy Pharaoh. The midwives, Shiphrah and Puah, are commanded by the king to kill the boys when they see one being born. Instead they protect the babies and disguise their life-saving actions. “The Hebrew women are like animals and give birth too quickly,” the midwives say to Pharaoh.
That’s how this Pharaoh sees the Hebrews — as animals. That’s why it’s easy to kill off the Hebrew baby boys. He does not see them as fully human. The midwives use his prejudices against him. The Hebrew women’s animalistic birthing is not like the delicate constitution of the Egyptian mothers.
† † †
THAT KIND OF FEAR is needed in the church. The kind of “fear” or respect and honor of God’s kingdom and authority that drives us to stop and stand in the way of injustice.
While the midwives’ plan works initially, it does not prevent further deaths, as Pharaoh commands all Egyptian people to participate in the infanticide. Once again, the story highlights the resourceful irony of one mother who determines to save her son. He is a beautiful or good baby. Like Noah building the ark, Moses’ mother carefully builds a small basket (same word) for her infant son, so that even as she casts him into the river — in compliance with the command — the infant will survive the deadly waters.
Pharaoh’s daughter (teenager?) sees the baby and hears his cries. She knows his vulnerability. She recognizes his humanity. She knows his need. She acts. She pulls the baby safely out of the river. Moses’ sister steps out of hiding and offers to find a nursemaid for him. He will grow up under the protection of the princess. Defiance of Pharaoh’s commands comes from within his own house at the hands of his own daughter.
† † †
THE MIDWIVES ARE MOTIVATED by their fear of the Lord. The mother by her attachment to the beautiful baby. Pharaoh’s daughter acts from her pity. Whatever their motivations, the actions of the women align with God’s own life-giving work.
Their work counteracts the hatred and fear that motivates Pharaoh. Their work embraces life. Their defiance counters Pharaoh’s attempts to draw lines of distinction between “us” and “them,” between Egyptian and Hebrew, between dominating and dominated.
† † †
THE CHURCH IS CALLED to be defiant against evil and injustice. May we be like these brave women.
