Profile in Leadership: Hebrew Midwives?

Then the king of Egypt spoke to the Hebrew midwives… and he said, “When you do the duties of a midwife for the Hebrew women, and see them on the birthstools, if it is a son, then you shall kill him; but if it is a daughter, then she shall live.” But the midwives feared God, and did not do as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the male children alive. Exodus 1:15-17 Who changes the course of history? Kings? Generals? The wealthy? Sure – but more often than not, it’s men and women with no power and little social standing who most significantly reshape the world. When the king of Egypt grew worried about the exploding number of Hebrew slaves, he instructed the Hebrew midwives to murder all Hebrew male newborns. But these midwives feared God and refused to obey such a wicked command. Despite the king’s threats, they would not submit to his authority and continued to deliver healthy male children. Although they had no way of knowing it, their risky decision helped to spare the life of Moses, Israel’s future God-ordained deliverer. In civil disobedience, the midwives risked their lives to protect the children God had placed in their care. Their bravery prompted God to show them kindness by blessing the midwives with families of their own. No doubt their children and grandchildren took part in the great exodus from Egypt that they had enabled. At a strange juncture in history, these Hebrew midwives – politically powerless, socially despised, and economically disadvantaged – defied the ruler of Egypt to obey the God they feared. Their perilous choice to do the right thing protected the line of Abraham through which the Messiah would eventually come, thus fulfilling God’s plan not only for the Hebrews, but for all mankind. If you lead people, you can enable them to have real power to make a real difference – it’s your choice. I’d love to talk to you personally. For more on help I can provide and how you can reach me, check out… http://truthatlife.com/ or email me directly at curtis.songer@gmail.com