Are you a rule follower or would you join a resistance? What if your faith is at stake? Very few Christ-followers in the US would have to genuinely answer that question, but it is a question that followers have had to answer for generations. Two women found themselves in a dangerous predicament and had to decide to follow the most powerful man in the world or follow their God. Their story is often overlooked because it is the prelude to a much more well-known Biblical figure, but without these two women, Shiphrah (pronounced Shif-rah) and Puah (think sidekick pig from Disney’s Moana), there wouldn’t have been this particular leader.
Shiphrah and Puah’s story takes place in Exodus 1. They are ordinary women with a precious job; they are midwives to the Israelites. At the time, the Israelites were flourishing in Egypt, much to Pharaoh’s dismay. Fearing the Israelites would join the ranks of their enemies in a war, Pharaoh decided to imprison them in slavery. Still, the Israelites’ numbers swelled. Pharaoh’s heartless creativity devised a solution in killing every newborn Israelite male as he is coming into the world; to accomplish this, he recruited the midwives. Pharaoh’s plan, though evil, was brilliant; it’s the same plan Satan has used since the beginning—attacking families and children. Pharaoh just fails to take into consideration one very important factor.
The midwives feared God.
From their faith came resistance. In fact, Shiphrah and Puah’s reistance is the first peaceful, civil disobedience in recorded history, and it wasn’t without risks. In disobeying Pharaoh, Shiphrah and Puah faced losing everything, including their very lives. Instead of following Pharaoh’s orders though, they followed their God and ensured the Israelite baby boys lived. When Pharaoh questioned them, the midwives had a clever reply, as many do during times of great evil; they simply explained Israelite women are strong and gave birth before they could arrive and carry out Pharaoh’s plan. Their courage and conviction ensure the survival of so many, including the one who would eventually lead the Israelites from slavery to freedom, Moses.
Sometimes we don’t know how our decisions and actions will affect those around us. Shiphrah and Puah could not have known their actions would lead to the birth of one of the greatest heroes and leaders of our faith. What gave Shiphrah and Puah what they needed to accomplish their mission was that they were guided by their faith, not their situation.
We may not have to face the same risks Shiphrah and Puah faced, but we can follow their example. In tough times, in challenging seasons, we, too, can be guided by our faith in our great and loving God. Our circumstances do not need to dictate our response; we do not need to give our circumstances that power. We can join Shiphrah and Puah’s resistance and be guided by our faith, no matter the cost.
Movement Step: Is there something you’re facing that leaves you stuck? Take time to pray and ask God to show you how to be guided by faith, not situation. Invite a few close friends on your journey. After all, Shiphrah and Puah had each other; we don’t have to face tough choices alone.
