Shiprah and Puah
We have looked at Eve. Today we will take a look at two of the women of Exodus, the Hebrew midwives Shiprah and Puah. If there is any doubt of the high view of the Bible toward women, this should begin to alter that narrative. While Moses is subject to emotional swings, and loaded with insecurities, these women characters are more steadfast and heroic in so many ways. In fact, they share the Exodus stage as being co-redeemers.
“The king of Egypt said to the Hebrew midwives, whose names were Shiphrah and Puah, "When you help the Hebrew women in childbirth and observe them on the delivery stool, if it is a boy, kill him; but if it is a girl, let her live." The midwives, however, feared God and did not do what the king of Egypt had told them to do; they let the boys live. Then the king of Egypt summoned the midwives and asked them, "Why have you done this? Why have you let the boys live?" The midwives answered Pharaoh, "Hebrew women are not like Egyptian women; they are vigorous and give birth before the midwives arrive." So God was kind to the midwives and the people increased and became even more numerous.” (Ex 1:15-21)
These two were heroic women who feared the Lord and chose to break the law of the land because they served a higher law giver. Pharoah wanted them to kill every Hebrew boy. The idea is that if there were only Hebrew women in Egypt, Israel would be absorbed into the Egyptian people. But Shiphrah ‘fair’ and Puah ‘splendid’ recognized that the wise thing was to not ‘submit’ to their earthly authority. They had a relationship with God and somehow knew his heart.
This is a great scene. This was holy war. Here is Satan’s strategy. If all the seed of Eve can be destroyed—he wins. If Pharaoh can succeed in destroying all the men—then God’s promises to Abraham et al will have fallen short. Who steps up? Two unlikely societally-low-level daughters of Eve. Not only will they enter the fray—these two slave midwives beat Pharaoh.
How? They ‘feared’ the Lord—in Old Testament lingo, they redeemed one of Eve’s failings and were willing to run to God to find out what He wanted them to do. In them we see
- Radical Super-human Faith in the Lord
- Willingness to prioritize others
- Willingness through labor to bring ‘life’ to community
- Willingness to be shrewd
This is fascinating really. In this case, in order to defeat the Serpent, the midwives use deceit—and are biblically credited with doing good.
There are times daughters of Eve when it is not wise or godly to submit to authorities over you! A clear example is in the case of a physically abusive spouse. There are times, daughters of Eve, in order to defeat the enemies of God, must consider deceit is an option. How do you know when and when not? This requires God-sourced wisdom that comes from a living in fear of the Lord, or in New Testament lingo, being filled with the Spirit.
These two, Shiphrah and Puah received glory—as co-saviors of God’s people. In so doing, we remember them as true mothers of life (‘Eves’).
Keep saying the simple uncluttered gospel aloud, two times a day. The God-sourced fruit will come. Follow my podcast, Gospel Rant today. Pass it on to friends.
