Shiphrah and Puah: How the Hebrew Midwives Model Courageous Faith at Work

Pharaoh ordered Shiphrah and Puah to kill Hebrew boys as soon as they were born. The two midwives faced a choice between obeying a powerful ruler and protecting the lives of innocent children. Their story in Exodus 1:15–21 offers lessons in courage, wise resistance, women’s leadership, and faith at work. It can also help us think through pressure to do what we believe is wrong.

Shiphrah and Puah chose God’s authority over Pharaoh

The Hebrew midwives’ decision put their faith into action. Their story also raises a hard question: what should we do when a human authority commands us to harm others?

Pharaoh’s order put newborn lives at risk

Exodus 1 describes how Pharaoh feared the growing Hebrew population. He worried that the Hebrews might join Egypt’s enemies in a war, so he ordered the midwives to kill every Hebrew boy at birth and let the girls live.

The text names Shiphrah and Puah, but it doesn’t explain how many midwives served in Egypt or spell out the women’s exact roles. Some readers understand them as leaders with influence over other midwives. Whatever their rank, Pharaoh’s order put them in a dangerous position.

Their fear of God shaped their actions

Exodus 1:17 gives the reason the women refused: “The midwives feared God.” This fear means reverence and allegiance, not mere terror. They understood that their duty to God came before their fear of Pharaoh.

Their choice protected the babies, but it also put their own safety at risk. The story says God dealt well with the midwives and that the Hebrew people continued to grow. It links their faithfulness to God’s care, while leaving the full details of their reward to the biblical account.

Their story raises a hard question about obedience

People in authority can set rules, but authority doesn’t make every command right. Shiphrah and Puah’s story asks us to consider what we owe to God and to people who may be harmed by an order.

There’s no one-line answer for every ethical conflict. Prayer, Scripture, conscience, and wise counsel can help us decide what to do. If a person faces coercion or danger, trusted support may also be vital.

Shiphrah and Puah resisted Pharaoh with wisdom

The midwives didn’t challenge Pharaoh in a public speech. They acted to protect the children, then answered him when he demanded an explanation.

The midwives acted in a dangerous situation

When Pharaoh asked why the boys were still alive, the women said Hebrew women gave birth before a midwife could arrive. Exodus records their explanation but doesn’t offer further detail about how they carried out their work.

The account does show the result: the midwives did not follow the order to kill the babies. Their actions helped protect families under an oppressive rule. Readers may also wrestle with the ethical question raised by their reply to Pharaoh. The text places their fear of God and protection of life at the center of the story.

Courage can be quiet or public

Some acts of resistance are visible. In Daniel 3, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refuse to worship the king’s statue, even when threatened with death. Shiphrah and Puah’s resistance looks different: they prevent harm through their work and answer Pharaoh when called to account.

These stories don’t mean one form of courage is always better. The right response depends on the danger, the people at risk, and the choices available. Courage may mean speaking out, seeking help, or refusing an order without turning the moment into a public fight.

Choose a response with care

When you face an order that troubles your conscience, pause before you act. Ask what you’re being asked to do, who could be harmed, and what Scripture teaches about the situation. Consider whether there’s a safer way to refuse wrongdoing or protect the person at risk.

If you’re dealing with pressure at work or in your community, seek advice from someone you trust. Shiphrah and Puah’s courage is not a call to act recklessly. Their story shows the value of faith and wisdom under pressure.

Shiphrah and Puah show the influence of women’s leadership

The midwives’ knowledge gave them a place in a life-or-death moment. Their story also invites us to notice how women’s skills and relationships can strengthen families and communities.

Their work brought them close to families

Midwives supported women during childbirth, a time when families depended on their skill and care. That role gave Shiphrah and Puah direct contact with the people Pharaoh sought to control.

The transcript’s discussion presents the women as senior midwives who may have guided others. Exodus doesn’t describe that leadership structure, so we can’t know its details. Still, their named role in the account shows that their actions mattered.

Women strengthen faith and community

Women have long helped organize church life, care for others, and pass on faith between generations. Many people first learn to pray or hear Bible stories from a mother, grandmother, or another woman who cares for them. These roles matter, but they don’t belong to women alone; people of every gender can nurture faith and serve their communities.

The discussion also points to women’s ability to build ties across social and religious lines. The documentary Pray the Devil Back to Hell tells the story of Liberian women who organized for peace across religious groups. Their work differs greatly from the Hebrew midwives’ situation, but both stories show how organized care can affect a wider community.

Shiphrah and Puah show how daily work can become ministry

Ministry doesn’t happen only from a church stage or on an overseas mission. The midwives served God through their daily work, using their skills to protect families.

The midwives served through their vocation

Shiphrah and Puah didn’t need a formal religious role to make a difference. Their work as midwives put them where they could protect vulnerable lives. They acted with care and courage in the place their skills had brought them.

The same idea applies to people in many roles today. A teacher can treat students with fairness. A health worker can care for patients with respect. A parent, student, or carer can show patience and honesty in ordinary tasks.

Jesus met people in everyday settings

The Gospels often show Jesus meeting people as he travelled and served. In Mark 5, a woman who had been ill touched his cloak while he was among a crowd. In John 4, he spoke with a woman at a well. In Mark 6, he fed a crowd in a place away from town.

These moments show faith at work beyond formal worship. Jesus responded to people in the places where their needs arose. His example reminds us that our actions and care for others can express what we believe.

Serve well where you are

Before a difficult choice, ask God for wisdom and courage. At work, in school, or at home, look for ways to treat people with dignity and protect those who depend on you. Your role may not look dramatic, but steady acts of care can matter.

Conclusion

Shiphrah and Puah chose reverence for God over Pharaoh’s cruel command. Their story shows that courage can protect vulnerable people through careful, practical action. It also highlights the influence of women’s leadership and the value of serving God through daily work.

Think about one place where you could act with greater care or integrity this week. Pray for wisdom, consider who may be affected, and take a step toward what is right.