Exodus 1:17
“But the midwives feared God, and didn’t do what the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the baby boys alive.”
What does Exodus 1:17 mean?
The midwives in Egypt faced an impossible choice: follow Pharaoh's order to kill newborn Hebrew boys, or obey their deeper conviction to preserve life. They chose to fear God more than they feared the king, which meant valuing what they believed was right over the threat of earthly punishment. This quiet act of resistance shows that conscience matters. These women risked their own safety for people they might have considered outsiders, and their decision protected the Hebrew community during a dark time. It's a reminder that sometimes the most courageous thing we can do is simply refuse to participate in harm, even when power demands it.