How does fearing God lead to wise decision-making in difficult situations? The Crisis the Midwives Faced • Pharaoh ordered the Hebrew midwives to kill every newborn boy (Exodus 1:16). • Exodus 1:17: “The midwives, however, feared God and did not do as the king of Egypt had told them; they let the boys live.” • They stood at a crossroads: obey the most powerful ruler on earth or honor the Lord who holds eternity. What “Fear of God” Really Means • Reverent awe that God is holy, sovereign, and worthy of absolute obedience. • Humble recognition that His verdict outweighs every human opinion. • Loving desire to please Him rather than incur His displeasure (Proverbs 8:13; Proverbs 9:10). How Fear Produced Wisdom in Exodus 1:17 • Clarity of priority—God’s command “You shall not murder” (Exodus 20:13) overrode Pharaoh’s decree. • Moral courage—Fear of God eclipsed fear of punishment, empowering them to risk their lives. • Discernment—They saw the hidden value of every child because they viewed life through God’s eyes. • Creative action—They allowed the boys to live and later offered Pharaoh a reasonable explanation (Exodus 1:19). Scripture Echoes of the Same Pattern • Daniel’s friends refused idolatry and found deliverance in the furnace (Daniel 3:16-18). • Daniel chose prayer over safety and was rescued from the lions (Daniel 6:10, 22). • Peter declared, “We must obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29). • Proverbs 1:7; 9:10; Psalm 111:10—The fear of the LORD is the birthplace of wisdom. • Isaiah 33:6—“The fear of the LORD is Zion’s treasure,” offering stability in chaotic times. Principles for Wise Decisions in Our Hard Moments • Start with God’s revealed Word—settle that Scripture is the final authority. • Evaluate commands or expectations from people against clear biblical truth. • Choose obedience even when outcomes look risky; God controls results (Psalm 34:7). • Trust His character—holy, just, and loving—so every command is good even if costly. • Expect God-given insight to accompany obedience (Psalm 25:12). Practical Ways to Cultivate God-Fearing Wisdom • Daily Scripture intake—letting God’s voice drown out competing voices. • Regular worship—magnifying His greatness shrinks human threats. • Fellowship with like-minded believers for mutual courage (Hebrews 10:24-25). • Remember past deliverances, yours and in Scripture, to reinforce confidence. • Pray for wisdom; God promises to give generously (James 1:5). God’s Reward for Those Who Fear Him • Provision and protection: “The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear Him, and he delivers them” (Psalm 34:7). • Guidance: “Who is the man who fears the LORD? He will instruct him in the path chosen for him” (Psalm 25:12). • Legacy: The midwives received families of their own (Exodus 1:21), and their courageous decision helped usher Israel toward the Exodus and, ultimately, the coming of Christ. In every difficult crossroads, the fear of God anchors the heart, clarifies the issues, and releases heaven’s wisdom to act rightly, just as it did for the brave midwives in Egypt. |
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