“But the midwives feared God, and did not do as the king of Egypt had commanded them, but let the boys live.” (v.17)
Genesis ends with the death of Joseph. His last words to his brethren were, “God will surely visit you, and bring you out of this land (Egypt) to the land of which He swore to Abraham, to Isaac, and Jacob, and you shall carry up my bones from here (Egypt).” (vv.24-25)
This prophetic word would seem impossible to fulfill when a new king came to power in Egypt who did not know Joseph, who began to deal treacherously with the people of Israel because of their increasing numbers, by setting taskmasters over them to afflict them.
Furthermore, in an attempt to decrease the next generation of Israelites the king of Egypt spoke to the midwives saying, “When you do your duties of a midwife for the Hebrew women, if it is a son, then you shall kill him; but if it is a daughter, then she shall live” (vv.15-16).
Romans 13:1-5 tells us to obey those in authority over us because, “they have been placed there by God.” Here in our text two midwives (Shiphrah and Puah v.15) refuse to obey the command of their King (to kill newborn male children) because they feared the LORD more.
So what should we do? Obey those in authority over us or obey God’s Word? Genesis 9:6 says, "Whoever sheds human blood, by humans shall their blood be shed; for in the image of God, has God made mankind.”
The answer is, we are to do both. We are to submit to those in authority over us, realizing it is by God’s will they are placed in those positions. But when their commands clearly violate the Word of God, we are to obey God rather than man.
The Truth: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; A good understanding have all those who do His commandments. His praise endures forever.” (Psalm 111:10)
