How does Exodus 1:21 reflect God's reward for obedience and faithfulness? Scriptural Text “ And because the midwives feared God, He gave them families of their own.” — Exodus 1:21 Immediate Literary Context Pharaoh’s decree to kill every Hebrew boy threatened the covenant line (Exodus 1:15-22). Shiphrah and Puah defied the edict, motivated not by cultural pressure but by reverence for Yahweh. The verse records a tangible divine response: God “gave them families,” literally “houses,” denoting posterity, security, and honor in ancient Near-Eastern culture. The Principle of Reverent Obedience 1. Fear of God as Catalyst: Throughout Scripture the “fear of the LORD” is the root of wisdom and ethical action (Proverbs 1:7; Ecclesiastes 12:13). 2. Active, Not Passive: The midwives risked royal wrath. Biblical faith is consistently portrayed as actionable trust (James 2:17). 3. Reward as Divine Initiative: The blessing originates entirely from God—grace, not wage (cf. Genesis 6:8; Ephesians 2:8-10). Covenantal Continuity Genesis 12 promised Abrahamic multiplication; Exodus 1 introduces an existential threat, yet God preserves the seed. The midwives’ obedience serves the covenant, and God in turn secures their lineage—mirroring the reciprocal elements of covenant loyalty (Deuteronomy 7:9). Parallel Biblical Examples of Reward for Fear-Motivated Fidelity • Rahab (Joshua 2; 6:25): Risked her life; God preserved her family and placed her in Messiah’s genealogy (Matthew 1:5). • Elijah & the Widow of Zarephath (1 Kings 17:8-16): Provision follows obedience. • Daniel (Daniel 1 & 6): Civil resistance coupled with divine promotion. • Mary (Luke 1:38,48): Humble submission; honored for all generations. Theological Synthesis: Reward and Grace Scripture never frames reward as meritorious earnings; rather, obedience positions believers to receive what God already intends (Hebrews 11:6). Exodus 1:21 encapsulates Proverbs 11:18b, “But he who sows righteousness gets a true reward.” God’s rewards are both temporal (families, land, provision) and eternal (Resurrection life, Revelation 22:12). Christological Trajectory The righteous line preserved by the midwives ultimately leads to Christ (Galatians 4:4). Jesus Himself embodies perfect obedience (Philippians 2:8-11) and receives the supreme reward—resurrection and exaltation—securing salvation for all who believe (Romans 4:24-25). Historical and Archaeological Notes • Egyptian midwifery manuals (e.g., Kahun Gynecological Papyrus, 19th c. BC) authenticate the professional class alluded to. • Semitic slave-lists from Avaris (Tell el-Dab‘a) corroborate an Israelite presence in Egypt during the 18th–15th c. BC timeframe, aligning with a conservative Usshurian chronology (~1526 BC for Moses’ birth). • The name “Shiphrah” occurs in a 13th-c. BC Semitic slave list (Papyrus Brooklyn 35.1446), lending plausibility to the historicity of the account. Practical Application for Believers 1. Prioritize Divine Allegiance over Human Authority (Acts 5:29). 2. Expect God’s tangible and intangible rewards, though their form and timing rest in His sovereignty. 3. Recognize obedience as worship that perpetuates God’s redemptive plan through ordinary people. Summary Exodus 1:21 illustrates the consistent biblical pattern: those who fear God and obey Him against cultural opposition receive His gracious reward. The midwives’ faithfulness preserves Israel, advances salvation history, and demonstrates that divine recompense—rooted in covenant love—extends from temporal blessings to the ultimate reward secured in Christ. |
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