How did the midwives' fear of God influence their actions in Exodus 1:17? Setting the Scene • Exodus opens with Israel enslaved in Egypt. • Pharaoh, alarmed by Israel’s growth, orders the Hebrew midwives to kill every newborn boy (Exodus 1:15-16). • Verse 17 highlights the turning point: “But the midwives feared God and did not do as the king of Egypt had instructed; they let the boys live.” (Exodus 1:17) What “Fear of God” Means • Reverence, awe, and recognition that God alone holds ultimate authority (Proverbs 9:10). • A settled conviction that obedience to God outweighs obedience to any human command (Acts 5:29). • A moral compass rooted in God’s revealed will, not shifting cultural pressures (Psalm 111:10). How the Midwives’ Fear Shaped Their Actions 1. Valued God’s Word over Pharaoh’s Word – God’s covenant command to preserve life (Genesis 9:6) trumped Pharaoh’s edict of death. 2. Risked Personal Safety – Disobedience to the king could cost them their positions, freedom, or lives, yet they accepted the danger (cf. Daniel 3:17-18). 3. Protected the Vulnerable – Fear of God produced compassionate action; every spared infant was a testimony to God’s heart for the defenseless (Psalm 82:3-4). 4. Practiced Civil Disobedience Wisely – They neither incited revolt nor used violence; they simply refused to participate in evil, modeling “wise as serpents and innocent as doves” (Matthew 10:16). 5. Became Instruments in God’s Redemptive Plan – Their choice preserved the generation that included Moses, the future deliverer (Hebrews 11:23). God’s Response to Their God-Fearing Choice • “So God was good to the midwives, and the people multiplied and became even more numerous. And because the midwives feared God, He gave them families of their own.” (Exodus 1:20-21) – Divine favor: God honors those who honor Him (1 Samuel 2:30). – Personal blessings: He provided households, signaling His approval and care. Lessons for Today • Fear of God equips believers to discern right from wrong when authorities contradict Scripture. • Courageous obedience can influence entire communities, even future generations. • God sees and rewards quiet, faithful acts done out of reverence for Him (Matthew 6:4). Key Takeaways • The midwives’ fear of God directly motivated them to spare innocent lives, defy wicked orders, and become catalysts for Israel’s deliverance. • True godly fear produces practical, courageous, and compassionate obedience, confident that God’s approval outweighs every earthly threat. |
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