Day 1: Courage Initiated: The Hebrew Midwives
Welcome: What will you do when an edict is issued from those in power that clearly violates your convictions? Will you stand up for what is right or fold under pressure? Today we see where Israel’s story of redemption begins, with some most unlikely, ordinary characters.
Background: At the end of Genesis, Joseph’s family moved to Egypt and were well taken care of during his lifetime, but as time went on, other Egyptian rulers came to power who didn’t acknowledge Joseph or the Israelites as anyone worth respecting. Instead they began to mistreat, oppress, and eventually Egypt enslaved them. The story of Israel’s deliverance is a powerful story of God’s power, love, and care for His people, but it didn’t start with Moses—it started with an unlikely group of servants.
Read: Exodus 1:1-22
Highlight: “But the midwives feared God and did not do as the king of Egypt commanded.”
You? Consider the revolution the midwives started in Egypt. Several ordinary women decided that their faith in God mattered more than a murderous edict. So they purposefully disobeyed and inspired others to disobey and start a revolution. It’s shocking they weren’t killed instead of the babies they saved. What stand is God asking you to take in your life? In what area of your life can you demonstrate the fear of the Lord by your obedience? Just like the Hebrew midwives, you never know what God can do when you demonstrate courage grounded in a healthy fear of the Lord.
Pray: God, you are awesome. Thank you for the courage of the Hebrew midwives. They are ordinary people just like me. I commit myself to fear you and allow your courage to flow through me by faith today.