Shiphrah And Puah: Rebels Of The Nile
“The king of Egypt said to the Hebrew midwives, one of whom was named Shiphrah and the other Puah, “When you act as midwives to the Hebrew women, and see them on the birthstool, if it is a boy, kill him; but if it is a girl, she shall live.” But the midwives feared God; they did not do as the king of Egypt commanded them, but they let the boys live. So the king of Egypt summoned the midwives and said to them, “Why have you done this, and allowed the boys to live?” The midwives said to Pharaoh, “Because the Hebrew women are not like the Egyptian women; for they are vigorous and give birth before the midwife comes to them.” So God dealt well with the midwives; and the people multiplied and became very strong. And because the midwives feared God, he gave them families. Then Pharaoh commanded all his people, “Every boy that is born to the Hebrews you shall throw into the Nile, but you shall let every girl live.” - Ex. 1:15 - 22
Someone once pointed out something interesting about this passage of Scripture.
Shiphrah and Puah are mentioned by their names. The King of Egypt is not.
Do you know why?
What the King did was insignificant compared to what God had planned. The Hebrew midwives had names because they helped save a whole generation of young men. These two women helped save the man that would finally become the leader and save a nation: Moses.
One of the lies I believed once upon a time was that God couldn’t use women to save the men. However, sometimes there are times when there are literally no men in the area who can or will make a stand. The midwives were literally the only ones in the place to make a change because of the positions/jobs God had given them.
I have been working with pro-life agencies for over 10 years now. Ready for the crazy part? It is uncommon for men (there are some - with the president of Care Net being a man) to be on the ground at the centers in the pro-life movement.
Someone shared a lie with them. This was one of the biggest mistakes (that makes me unpopular to say) that the pro-life movement and (predominantly pro-choice) America ever said.
Men don’t get a say.
They aren’t as important to the life of a baby because they don’t carry life.
Every time I sit down in a room with pro-life women - I still hear similar things - let’s focus on the women. It’s started to change in the last year, but still has a long way to go.
I continue to pray that I can be like these midwives - rescuing these young baby boys in the hope that God would bring a new generation of men that stand up for injustice - even when it’s unpopular.
Can I share some statistics with you? 80% of black children are raised in single-family homes - predominantly single-mother homes. 99% of women will change their minds if a father says to choose life. Why do we think that women are the solution when it literally says both men and women are the solutions?
Shiphrah and Puah saw the problem and dealt with the time and position they were in. They started pulling out the young men and rescuing them. I would like to think that they believed that God would raise a man to reverse a law that went against their beliefs.
Today, I would like to believe that all of us well-meaning women believe the same thing - that God will change a nation of men to bring a male leader who will lead other men to choose life, to choose commitment, to reverse a law, and a generation of Godly leadership.
In the meantime, I’d like to share a story of a modern-day “Rebel of the Nile”. There was a woman who admired growing up - her name is Rebecca St. James.
You may have heard of her.
She is a young Christian woman that God gave a platform to at fourteen years old.
Rebecca recorded Christian albums, wrote songs talking about purity, stood up for the pro-life movement - even on news stations, and used her platform to build all the women around her. In the shadows were two young men, Joel and Luke Smallbone, singing and learning from their big sister - right on stage with her. One day - Rebecca disappeared for a season - she met a young man at a Bible study and decided to take a break to have a family of her own.
I’ve met many people who don’t even remember her because of her quick disappearance. She was incredible to me, and someone I prayed I would be like when I grew up. It was odd for me to watch her fade into the shadows, but then a miracle happened. Two young men stepped out of the shadows and into the platform - Joel and Luke Smallbone. You may not recognize their names, but I guarantee you’ve heard their band’s music - For King & Country. You may have seen the movie “Priceless” or heard the song “Priceless” where they championed the value of women, the wrongfulness of human trafficking, and the value of chivalry.
Rebecca became like the midwives in that moment - she set an example for two young men behind the scenes and when the time was right - stepped out so they could take a stand for women. I would like to challenge you in this story of Shiphrah, Puah, and Rebecca. Many days you probably look to the younger girls God has called you to mentor, but always be aware - God is building up His men too.
He may be using you to inspire, encourage, and protect younger men until they are ready to lead or there is a cause that God wants them to take up. Be a Shiphrah and Puah - do the job God called you to - and see who God wants you to stand up for on the way. Who knows who you may help raise up?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Alycia Marie is a free-spirited wanderer learning to find roots. She currently resides in Milwaukee and serves the community of southeastern Wisconsin. You can typically find her outdoors, as long as it’s warm, hanging out with family/close friends and meeting soon-to-not-be strangers. In her spare time, she writes, drinks chai tea, and builds non-profits, homes, families, and people. Some people like to call it missions. She prefers well-digging.