Exodus 1:20

So God was good to the midwives, and the people multiplied and became even more numerous.

Study Bible

So God was good to the midwives
This phrase highlights God's favor and blessing upon the Hebrew midwives, Shiphrah and Puah, who feared God and defied Pharaoh's orders to kill Hebrew male infants. Their actions demonstrate a reverence for God's moral law over human edicts, aligning with the biblical principle found in Acts 5:29, "We must obey God rather than men." The midwives' faithfulness is rewarded by God, illustrating His justice and mercy. This also reflects the broader biblical theme of God supporting those who act righteously, as seen in Proverbs 11:18, "The wicked earns deceptive wages, but the one who sows righteousness gets a sure reward."

and the people multiplied
This phrase underscores the fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham in Genesis 12:2, where God promised to make Abraham's descendants into a great nation. Despite the oppression and harsh conditions imposed by the Egyptians, the Israelites continued to grow in number, demonstrating God's sovereign power and faithfulness to His covenant. This multiplication of the Israelites is a testament to God's providence and His ability to bring about His purposes even in adverse circumstances.

and became even more numerous
The increasing number of Israelites despite Pharaoh's attempts to suppress them highlights the futility of opposing God's plans. This mirrors the promise in Genesis 15:5, where God tells Abraham that his descendants will be as numerous as the stars. The growth of the Israelite population sets the stage for the Exodus, where God will deliver His people from bondage, foreshadowing the ultimate deliverance through Jesus Christ. This phrase also reflects the biblical theme of God using the weak and oppressed to accomplish His purposes, as seen in 1 Corinthians 1:27, "But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong."

Persons / Places / Events

1. God
The sovereign and compassionate deity who rewards the faithfulness of the midwives.

2. Midwives
Specifically, Shiphrah and Puah, who feared God and defied Pharaoh's orders to kill Hebrew male infants.

3. Hebrew People
The descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, who were living in Egypt and experiencing rapid population growth.

4. Pharaoh
The king of Egypt who felt threatened by the growing number of Israelites and ordered the killing of newborn Hebrew boys.

5. Egypt
The land where the Israelites were living in bondage, yet experiencing God's blessing through population growth.

Teaching Points

Fear of God Over Fear of Man
The midwives' actions teach us the importance of fearing God above all earthly authorities. Their reverence for God led to His favor and blessing.

God's Faithfulness to His Promises
Despite the oppression in Egypt, God continued to fulfill His promise to Abraham by multiplying his descendants. This reminds us of God's unwavering faithfulness.

Courage in Adversity
The midwives displayed courage by standing up to Pharaoh's unjust command. We are called to act with similar courage when faced with moral dilemmas.

Divine Reward for Faithfulness
God rewarded the midwives for their faithfulness. This encourages us to remain steadfast in our faith, trusting that God sees and rewards our obedience.

Bible Study Questions

1. How does the fear of God influence our decisions in situations where we face pressure to conform to ungodly practices?

2. In what ways can we see God's faithfulness in our lives, even when circumstances seem challenging?

3. How can the example of the midwives inspire us to act courageously in our own lives?

4. What are some modern-day situations where we might need to choose between obeying God and obeying human authorities?

5. How does the multiplication of the Israelites in Egypt reflect God's promises, and how can this encourage us in our faith journey?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Genesis 12:2
God's promise to Abraham to make him a great nation is being fulfilled as the Israelites multiply in Egypt.

Proverbs 9:10
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, as demonstrated by the midwives who feared God more than Pharaoh.

Acts 5:29
The apostles' declaration to obey God rather than men parallels the midwives' decision to follow God's moral law over Pharaoh's command.

Psalm 127:3
Children are a heritage from the Lord, and the multiplication of the Israelites is a sign of God's blessing.