Interpretation of the Bible / Exodus 1:21

The Book of Exodus tells a story of courage and the fear of God. The midwives Shiphrah and Puah were Egyptians who assisted Jewish women living in Egypt in childbirth. At the time of this story, the Jews were slaves to the Egyptians.

Fear of God

One day, the Pharaoh of Egypt decided to exterminate the descendants of the Jews, considering them a threat to his homeland. From that moment on, he ordered that every male Jewish child born be thrown into the Nile River.

Shifra and Puah found themselves at a moral crossroads: should they obey the Pharaoh's command or disobey the authorities and protect the lives of the newborns in their care? Ultimately, their choice was dictated by the fear of God: they decided not to kill the Jewish babies, but instead communicated that Jewish women were not like Egyptian women; they were healthy and gave birth before the midwife arrived.

The prosperity of midwives

Thanks to their decision, the midwives not only saved lives, but God also rewarded their courage and fear of Him. He granted their families prosperity, despite their disobedience to Pharaoh. This may seem unusual, but we must remember that God always rewards those who do what is right and adhere to their principles and values.

Today, this story teaches us that our fears, desires, and principles should not be sacrificed for the desires of others or for the rewards of this life. We must always make decisions consistent with our convictions and always strive to do good, no matter the difficulties.