Two midwives, and their defiance that changed history,

The story of Shiphrah and Pugh in Exodus 1 is one of the most powerful acts of resistance in the Bible. It begins with fear. Pharaoh feared the growing strength of the Hebrew people. Fear turning into oppression. Laws were written. Families enslaved. Lives were being crushed.

And then; one brutal decree: “It if’s a boy, kill him….”

The Courage of Two Women

Shiphrah and Puah were commanded to kill. But instead they chose life. The text says that the “feared God.” Not a trembling fear of terror, but a holy reverence for life.

So they resisted. Quietly. Cunningly. Bravely.

When Pharaoh demanded answers, they replied: “the Hebrew women are vigorous and give birth before we arrive.” Their words carried both truth and defiance. They risked their safety and their lives. For this, God honored them.

Because of their courage, life continued. Through their defiance, Moses was born. And through Moses, Israel was set free.

One small act of holy disobedience created a ripple that shaped salvation history.

From Pharaoh to Today

This isn’t just an ancient, Old Testament story. It echoes forward.

Pharaoh feared the strength of the Hebrews. Herod feared the rise of Jesus. Both men used policy and power to control, turning their fear into violence.

But the gospel of Jesus is not silence. It is not an empire.

The gospel is good news for the poor. Freedom for the oppressed. Healing for the broke. Hope for the hopeless.

Be Like Shiphrah & Puah

These women chose resistance over compliance. Compassion over cruelty. God’s kingdom over Pharaoh’s empire.

To follow Jesus is to follow their lead. Stand with the oppressed. Risking privilege for the sake of the vulnerable. Believing that even small acts of courage can change the course of history.

Shiphrah and Puah remind us thet the gospel is not about protecting power. It’s about protecting PEOPLE. The Kingdom of God always begins with those who choose life when the empire demands death.