Why did Pharaoh question the midwives' actions in Exodus 1:18?

The backdrop: Israel’s rapid growth in Egypt

Exodus 1:7 reports, “But the Israelites were fruitful and increased greatly; they multiplied and became exceedingly strong, so that the land was filled with them.” Pharaoh’s fear (1:9-10) set the stage for brutal population control.

---

Pharaoh’s deadly decree to the midwives

• Exodus 1:15-16 records Pharaoh ordering Shiphrah and Puah to kill every Hebrew boy at birth.

• His goal: weaken Israel’s military potential while preserving female laborers.

• The midwives “feared God and did not do as the king of Egypt had told them; they let the boys live” (1:17).

---

Pharaoh’s confrontation: Exodus 1:18

“So the king of Egypt summoned the midwives and asked them, ‘Why have you done this? Why have you let the boys live?’”

---

Why Pharaoh questioned them

• Noticeable evidence: baby boys were clearly surviving; his plan was failing.

• Political paranoia: Acts 7:18-19 affirms that a “new king… dealt deceitfully with our people and oppressed our fathers, forcing them to abandon their infants.” Pharaoh feared revolt.

• Desire for accountability: ancient monarchs personally investigated disobedience to preserve absolute authority (cf. Daniel 3:13-15).

• Public intimidation: hauling the midwives before him warned others not to resist.

• Spiritual blindness: Psalm 33:10-11 shows the LORD “frustrates the plans of the nations”; Pharaoh could not grasp that divine providence, not mere human midwives, stood in his way.

---

Key takeaways for us

• God’s sovereignty outmaneuvers any earthly power (Proverbs 21:30).

• Obedience to God sometimes demands civil disobedience when commands conflict (Acts 5:29).

• Fear of the LORD empowers courage; fear of man enslaves (Proverbs 29:25).

• The preservation of Israel’s sons foreshadows God’s pattern of protecting deliverers—ultimately culminating in Christ’s guarded infancy (Matthew 2:13-15).

Pharaoh questioned because his decreed genocide was visibly thwarted, and he needed an explanation. Behind the scene, God’s faithfulness ensured the midwives’ brave stand succeeded, turning Pharaoh’s question into testimony of divine intervention.