Study from the book of Exodus. – Pharaoh and the midwives, what a contrast!

Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons - Acts 10:34

Scripture reading Exodus 1

And then a new king, to whom Joseph meant nothing, came to power in Egypt.

It’s very interesting that the bible does not talk about the name of the king (pharaoh). Or I wonder if God purposely did not put his name in there. From this we understand that God is no respector of persons no matter what position he/she may be in!

And to this pharaoh, Joseph meant nothing. I perceive that he did not care or want to know Joseph. How difficult was it for him to know Joseph or the God of Joseph? These were the same Egyptians who build the great pyramids for remembering people. 

And now the pharaoh comes up with a great concern “the Israelites have become far too numerous for us. Come, we must deal shrewdly with them or they will become even more numerous and, if war breaks out, will join our enemies, fight against us and leave the country.” – Exodus 1:9-10

If we were listening to pharaoh we would have agreed with him no less, possibly because he was the top man saying it or perhaps cause this was a concern of national security. Unfortunately here the pharaoh did not know or care to know that what he was about to do was against the will of God. We may have a great vision and people may listen and agree with us but if it’s not what God wants then it’s sure to fail. Are we asking the Lord his will before we make any major decision in our lives?

In Vs.15 he instructs the Hebrew midwives Shiphrah & Puah to kill the Hebrew first born. However, these midwives feared God. What a contrast to pharaoh! Here we see the word of God mentioning the names of these two simple midwives. We also see that they feared God! In Psalm 147:11 that the Lord delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love. We see the Lord blessing these midwives with their own families. What about the family of Pharaoh? The same pharaoh who conspires to kill the first born Hebrew children in the end of all this ordeal loses his own first born son due to his disobedience.

These midwives give pharaoh an answer that he easily believes and is unable to do anything to them. If you are not in the will of God you are also unable to discern. We see the Lord protecting these midwives from Pharaoh. 


Are we concerned about the interests of our Lord? Philipians 2:21 says For everyone looks out for their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.


What is Christ interested from me today?