In the following article you will find a brief commentary on Exodus 1 that goes along with our Riverside Church Two Year Bible Reading Plan (Volume 1 & Volume 2). This plan will allow you to read the New Testament and Psalms once every year and the Old Testament once every two years.
Exodus 1
God-fearing Midwives
Exodus 1:17, 20-21 (ESV)
7 But the midwives feared God and did not do as the king of Egypt commanded them, but let the male children live.
20 So God dealt well with the midwives. And the people multiplied and grew very strong. 21 And because the midwives feared God, he gave them families.
The more God’s people were oppressed, the more they increased (1:12). God is determined to bless His people; His will is set and nothing can hinder the accomplishment of what He has set out to do.
The midwives fear the Lord, and in fearing the Lord they illustrate just what happens for those who do. They, like Rahab the prostitute after them, discern that God cannot be defeated and fully align themselves with the winning side. And consequently they are blessed.
The blessing is delightful and directly corresponds to their obedience. They grew strong (as they credited the Hebrew wives to be strong), and they were given families (they served to help the Hebrew families and God gave them their own families). Awesome! Today, let us live in the fear of the Lord!
