We all remember the story in Exodus that gives the details of how Israel and his sons were invited by Pharaoh to settle in the most fertile part of Egypt. God blessed them, giving them more than they needed. “The Israelites were fruitful and prolific;they multiplied and grew exceedingly strong, so that the land was filled with them.” (Ex 1.7) Fast forward 400 years and a new, nameless pharoah, that did not know Joseph began to fear the the Hebrews for he thought they would become outnumbered and overtake the Egytptians. And so he made them slaves. Their numbers continued to steadily increase. He began to torment the people with unbearable slave labor. Even with the such unimaginable conditions the people continued to multiply. So, pharoah resorted to drastic measures. He summoned two Hebrew midwives, Shiprah and Puah and ordered them to kill all of the male children that were born. The Hebrew midwives refused. “But the midwives feared God, and did not as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the men children alive.” (Ex 1:17). These women obviously had love for both women and children, given their profession and valued life. But ,the ultimate reason for their action should be noted: ‘the midwives feared God’.
These brave women had to make a selfless decision. A pharoah that would resort to such treachery was highly capable of bringing them harm and likely to kill them if they did not comply. Yet, they chose the lives of these children over their own. No doubt, pharoah summoned them and wanted to know why they had disobeyed him. Their reply was simple, “Hebrew women are not like Egyptian women, for they’re vigorous and give birth before the midwife comes to them.” (Ex 1:19) I’m not sure why but, pharaoh believed them. As a result of their actions, “God dealt well with the midwives; and the people multiplied and became very strong. And because the midwives feared God, he gave them families.” (Ex 1:20)
How many of us, if put in the same or even similar postion of these women, would protect the life another rather than our own. I like to think of them as the original pro-lifers. If we were the mother’s of the children whose lives were at stake, we would have hoped that the midwives valued to lives of our children as much as we did.
Although the average individual may never have to make this decision many individuals in the medical profession are finding themselves in this position more and more. Doctors are being forced by legislation to suggest abortions, pharmacist fired for refusing to fill prescriptions for the morning after pill and much more. We should pray for covering and wisdom for these individuals. Support those that protect life. All life is precious, from conception and every moment thereafter.
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