Translations
Original
Notes
The midwives, however, feared God and did not do as the king of Egypt had instructed: This was because they feared God more than they feared Pharaoh (1:21). Fear of the Lord refers to having reverent awe of him as the almighty Creator and Judge. This is the foundation of true knowledge and wisdom (Proverbs 1:7; 9:10).
The Lord is a friend to those who fear him (Psalm 25:14). The midwives understood that the Lord has more power than any human.
The need for rescue was clearly related to the Israelites' condition. The Egyptians forced the people of Israel to work without mercy (1:13). It was also related to promises God had made to the patriarchs years earlier.
The Lord had promised Abraham that his descendants would become a great nation, living freely in the land of Canaan. At this time, Abraham's descendants were slaves in Egypt under a pharaoh who wanted to destroy them as a people. God would have to rescue them to fulfill his promises.
Parallels
Places
Egypt: Ancient nation; Israelites enslaved there; plagues and Exodus
Glossary
Aaron Book of Exodus Deuteronomy, Book of Medicine and Medical Practice
Topics
Egypt: Israel in Male Children Destroyed Fear of God: The Midwives of Egypt, in Refusing to Take the Lives of the Hebrew Children Integrity: The Egyptian Midwives when Commanded to Destroy the Newborn Babies of the Israelites Israel: Number of, at the Time of the Exodus Midwifery: General Scriptures Concerning Oppression of Israelites, by Egyptians Servant: Bond: The Israelites Servant: Israelites Usurpation of Executive Power of Pharaoh, Making Bondservants of the Israelites