Shiphrah and Puah: Courageous Women
25 Sep 2023Little Devotionals - Ann
“Women of the Bible” series by Ann Little
Exodus 1:8-22
During this year while we are hearing TMC sermons from Exodus, I would like to explore with you some of the hidden gems throughout the book and bring to light “the women of Exodus.” They were always willing and trusting, behind the scenes quietly obeying God. I like to think of them as God’s secret agents. Pharaoh, ruler of Egypt, was threatened by the Israelite men, but not the women. So God used these very unthreatening women to thwart Pharaoh’s evil plans.
Exodus 1:8-22
During this year while we are hearing TMC sermons from Exodus, I would like to explore with you some of the hidden gems throughout the book and bring to light “the women of Exodus.” They were always willing and trusting, behind the scenes quietly obeying God. I like to think of them as God’s secret agents. Pharaoh, ruler of Egypt, was threatened by the Israelite men, but not the women. So God used these very unthreatening women to thwart Pharaoh’s evil plans.
***** (continued)
Two very important women in the beginning of the Exodus story are Shiphrah and Puah, the midwives. Pharaoh was distressed by the presence of the Israelite nation. They had multiplied, according to God’s promises to Abraham, and Pharaoh was fearful that they would turn against him in time of battle and would be difficult to overcome. So he made plans to keep them in check.
Plan #1 make their lives miserable by enslaving them. However, the Israelites continued to grow in number. So when that plan didn’t work, he enlisted Shiphrah and Puah to do Plan #2: kill all the Israelite baby boys at birth. A midwives’ job is to ensure that a healthy baby is safely delivered. Promoting and preserving LIFE, not death, is their goal. For Pharaoh to command them to kill is completely against their purpose! So what were they to do? Disobey God or disobey Pharaoh?
According to verse 17 Shiphrah and Puah feared God and courageously disobeyed Pharaoh’s command. They practiced “non-cooperation with evil.” Apparently they delivered babies in both the Israelite and Egyptian families so they were valuable women in the Egyptian homes as well. Pharaoh was not used to having his commands disobeyed and called them back for an explanation. Their answer: “The Hebrew women are not like the Egyptian women. They are more vigorous and have their babies so quickly that we cannot get there in time.” Apparently Pharaoh accepted their story and sent them on their way, to continue their non-cooperation with evil.
God rewarded Shiphrah and Puah by blessing them with children of their own and used them to save countless Israelite boys.
Oddly enough, I have never heard of anyone naming their daughters after these fine courageous women!