Two Midwives Blessed by a Crisis
Two midwives blessed by crisis
1. Words that begin
Thanks to Joseph, the people of Israel, who had been treated and treated in Egypt, continued to be fruitful, multiply, multiply, and become very strong even after Joseph died, forming a powerful force in Egypt. Feeling threatened by this, the king of Egypt, who did not know Joseph, put pressure on the people of Israel. He harassed them with the construction of Pidom and Rameses, the state treasury for the king, and all kinds of abuse. But the more they were abused, the more the nation of Israel multiplied and multiplied.
2. The cruel command of the king of Egypt
When a strange phenomenon that thrives the more abuse occurs, it's worth thinking about something as a king and changing your method, but on the contrary, it was even more extreme. Seeing that things are going well under unfavorable conditions, it is possible to think about the God that Israel believes in, but only foolish stubbornness and arrogance.
The king of Egypt, who had been wringing out all sorts of wisdom, finally came up with an ingenious evil deed. He ordered the Hebrew midwives Shipbra and Buah, “When giving birth for a Hebrew woman, if a boy is born, put to death, and if a girl is born, let them live.”
This was the fruit of the wisdom of the supreme rulers of the world at that time, as well as the political and religious leaders. In 1 Corinthians 1:20, it says, “Where is the wise, where are the scholars? Where are the wise men in this generation? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?”
The people of the world live their lives boasting wisdom, knowledge, eloquence and resourcefulness. In fact, if you observe their lives a little carefully, you can't help but think that God's Word is right.
The wisdom or knowledge of the world, experience or skill, etc., do little to help us understand the will of God. The king and servants of Egypt multiply and prosper the more they abuse them, so they should have seen the hand of God working with them, but I thought they would only worry about unnecessary things. Please believe that true wisdom does not mean selfish discernment or worldly discernment, but discernment that stands on the side of God, who is in charge of life and death and providence of the universe.
3. The Wisdom of the Hebrew Midwives
The Hebrew midwives Sipphrah and Buah were deeply troubled. If they disobey the king's command and keep the sons of Israel alive, it is certain that their lives, as well as their families and even their relatives, will suffer.
Here is a fact we should note. The knowledge and talents as a midwife, which were usually very useful, are now a great test of life and the fate of family and relatives.
Even in the Japanese era, intellectuals, wealthy people, and people with special talents suffered great suffering that others did not experience because of the possessions that were usually useful, or they turned away and engaged in pro-Japanese behavior. Even looking at the history of foreign countries, such unfortunate incidents were not uncommon. Therefore, modern people who run frantically with the meaning and purpose of existence as ‘possession’ should keep this in mind.
Please believe that the important thing is not to ‘own’, but to pursue the glory of God who made us exist. Only after this fundamental purpose has been firmly established does possession become meaningful.
The Hebrew midwives Shipbra and Buah risked their lives for the glory of God who made them exist and possessed special talents and skills. The two midwives were afraid of the king of Egypt who could take their lives, but they feared even more of a God who would destroy their lives and souls in hell. The two midwives entrusted their lives, eternal life, and the fate of their entire family and relatives to God. And, as usual, Hebrew women were allowed to live, regardless of whether they gave birth to boys or girls.
When the king of Egypt knew this, he was furious and summoned them to rebuke them, but the two midwives who received the wisdom of faith escaped the crisis with a very clever answer. “Hebrew women were not like Egyptian women, but strong, and gave birth before the midwives came to them.” The gist of the answer is this. Before we even go and kill him, what do we do when the whole family and neighbors rejoice and rejoice that a healthy mother has already given birth to a son? King, you must not know Hebrew women as weaklings like Egyptian women.
4. Grace and Blessings as a Result of Wisdom
The Hebrew midwives were very mean women to the worldly authorities, but they were very lovely women to God. Naturally, God was gracious to the two midwives, and he made the people multiply and become very strong. In addition, the house of two midwives who feared God flourished.
Everyone, I hope you believe that actions that follow the wisdom of faith will surely bring you abundant grace and blessings from God. There is a reason why people do not receive God's grace and blessings. Those who listen to the world's voices louder than God's Word cannot receive God's grace and blessings. In particular, those who fear the powers of the world more than God who destroys not only life but also souls in hell cannot receive God's grace and blessings. Such people value their own safety and interests more than the glory of God. The result of these foolish people is reproof and discipline, but if they do not realize and repent, they will inevitably be destroyed.
Instead of realizing it, the king of Egypt intensified his evil deeds even more. This time he ordered all the servants to throw all the Israelite boys born into the sewer. In that way he accumulated the wrath of God.
Guys, I want you to remember two Bible verses. The first is, “Cast all your anxieties on the Lord, for he counsels you” (1 Peter 5:7). Second, “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul, but do not be afraid of those who can kill both body and soul in hell. Fear him who destroys” (Matthew 10:28).
Sometimes, a moment's wise decision can bring you not only the blessings of this world, but also the blessings of eternal life.
The most supreme sects, who made the world uproar, in prison, after receiving the custody money and persistent evangelism letter from this deacon in prison, eventually made a wise decision and belatedly accepted the Lord Jesus. God bestowed the grace of eternal life along with the forgiveness of sins to those heinous sinners. Now they don't know how hard they preach in prison.
“Gentlemen, even a murderer like me died because Jesus loved him and shed his blood. Do you not believe in Jesus, who loved even sinners like me?” Do you know who evangelized two-thirds of the inmates in the prison where he is serving with this bitter appeal? That's Go Jae-bong, who killed 6 people.
5. Conclusion
There are times when we too have to make a life-threatening decision between God and the powerful, God's will and the commands of those in power. At that time, choose God and God's will to destroy the soul as well as the body in hell.
Everyone, I hope you make wise decisions not only in times of crisis, but in everything you do. If you do this, God will surely pour out the most appropriate grace and blessings abundantly.
(Pungseong Methodist Church. Books: Complete Commentary on New Testament Volume 27/ Commentary on difficult scriptures/ Prayer of Prosperity/ Salvation Before Jesus Came/ Salvation Before Jesus Came/ Understanding Paul’s Humanity/ Sermonbook 18. T. 426-3051)