Exodus 1: Fear of God > Man

Key Verse
17 But the midwives feared God and did not do as the king of Egypt commanded them, but let the male children live.
 
Meditation
The God who orders history for His purposes is greater than every ruler and regime. Wisdom compels God’s people to fear Him more than any king, government, or power of man.
 
Exodus opens with the refreshing reminder that God is faithful to keep His promises. The family of Abraham had become a fruitful people in Egypt (vv. 1-7), but a new Pharaoh arose “who did not know Joseph” (v. 8). His fear of Israel led to oppression. First came hard labor (vv. 11-14), then the command for Hebrew midwives to kill male babies (vv. 15-16), and finally the decree that every Hebrew son be cast into the Nile (v. 22). Egypt was raging against God’s purposes, plotting in vain against the Lord and His people (Psalm 2).
 
“But the midwives feared God and did not do as the king of Egypt commanded” (v. 17).
 
Pharaoh ruled Egypt, but God rules history. The midwives disobeyed the king because they feared God more than man. Their courage was rooted in holy reverence. and God honored their faith-filled obedience, blessing them for fearing Him above Pharaoh (vv. 20-21).
 
Christians are commanded to honor God-ordained governing authorities (Romans 13:1-5), but never above God. When human authority contradicts God’s commands, the people of God must obey the Lord. Daniel would not bow. The apostles would not be silent. And the Hebrew midwives would not murder babies.

A fruitful life grows where the fear of God is greater than the fear of man. The rulers of this world are not ultimate. God is. And His people are always liberated when we obey their true King.

Today’s Reading
These are the names of the sons of Israel who came to Egypt with Jacob, each with his household: 2 Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah, 3 Issachar, Zebulun, and Benjamin, 4 Dan and Naphtali, Gad and Asher. 5 All the descendants of Jacob were seventy persons; Joseph was already in Egypt. 6 Then Joseph died, and all his brothers and all that generation. 7 But the people of Israel were fruitful and increased greatly; they multiplied and grew exceedingly strong, so that the land was filled with them. 

Pharaoh Oppresses Israel
8 Now there arose a new king over Egypt, who did not know Joseph. 9 And he said to his people, “Behold, the people of Israel are too many and too mighty for us. 10 Come, let us deal shrewdly with them, lest they multiply, and, if war breaks out, they join our enemies and fight against us and escape from the land.” 11 Therefore they set taskmasters over them to afflict them with heavy burdens. They built for Pharaoh store cities, Pithom and Raamses. 12 But the more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied and the more they spread abroad. And the Egyptians were in dread of the people of Israel. 13 So they ruthlessly made the people of Israel work as slaves 14 and made their lives bitter with hard service, in mortar and brick, and in all kinds of work in the field. In all their work they ruthlessly made them work as slaves. 
 
15 Then the king of Egypt said to the Hebrew midwives, one of whom was named Shiphrah and the other Puah, 16 “When you serve as midwife to the Hebrew women and see them on the birthstool, if it is a son, you shall kill him, but if it is a daughter, she shall live.” 17 But the midwives feared God and did not do as the king of Egypt commanded them, but let the male children live. 18 So the king of Egypt called the midwives and said to them, “Why have you done this, and let the male children live?” 19 The midwives said to Pharaoh, “Because the Hebrew women are not like the Egyptian women, for they are vigorous and give birth before the midwife comes to them.” 20 So God dealt well with the midwives. And the people multiplied and grew very strong. 21 And because the midwives feared God, he gave them families. 22 Then Pharaoh commanded all his people, “Every son that is born to the Hebrews you shall cast into the Nile, but you shall let every daughter live.
 
Richly Dwelling
-What observations do you make from today’s reading, especially regarding the conflict of power and priorities between God and the Egyptian king?
 
-Where do you see parallels in today’s world, the authorities of our world establishing laws in direct contrast with God’s authoritative design?
 
-Where do you need to fear God more than the authorities of our world? Do you believe God will give fruitfulness when you do?
 
Key Verse
17 But the midwives feared God and did not do as the king of Egypt commanded them, but let the male children live.