Exodus 1 70 members of Jacob's household came to Egypt because of the severe famine in the region.  Think of the magnitude of this famine.. all of Egypt was affected, plus all of Israel, and perhaps further to the north and east.  If not for Joseph, things would have been even worse.  We are told, Israel thrived in Egypt. They multiplied greatly. And, that made them become a threat all those years later.. long after Joseph and all of his brothers had passed away. 

But, a new regime in Egypt was threatened by the  number of Israelites. It doesn't appear that they were causing any problems.. but their vast number and their physical strength was concerning to the new king. So, he decided to take things into his own hands and declared the Israelites his slaves. 

This new status for the people of Israel was loathsome. They were afflicted by the taskmasters. They were forced to do hard labor and it "made their lives bitter".  And still, that was not enough... for then Pharaoh ordered the midwives to kill every baby boy born to the Israelite women. This was something that the midwives refused to do because they "feared God".  But.. then Pharaoh commanded all of his people to take part in this abominable practice of killing baby boys. 

It is into this tragic period of time that Moses is born... an ordinary baby.. but an extraordinary life to come .. God was at work. 

In this passage today, what stands out to me is the courage and faith of the two midwives.. Shiphrah and Puah. They obeyed God and not Pharaoh because they revered and feared God more.  We don't know the spiritual conditions of the rest of the Israelites.. but at least these two women had a right relationship with God. "So God was good to the midwives and the people multiplied, and became very mighty. And it came about because the midwives feared God, that He established households for them."

Father in heaven,  we live in a society that does not fear God more than they fear mankind.  We see the devastating effects of this disobedience to Your will and word.. as babies are killed, lives are ruined, cities are full of violence and crime.. and people are left without hope.  But, we believe that You are at work still.. preparing Your people for the work that You want them to do.. in obedience to Your Word and to the glory of Your Son.  You are our Redeemer and King.. lead us, Jesus, out of darkness and into Your Light.. every day, so that more of Your children will be saved. Help us to have the faith and courage of those two midwives in Israel, that we might stand firm in Your Sprit and Truth.  In Your name, Jesus,  we pray. Amen.