And it came to pass, because the midwives feared God, that he made them houses.
The midwives feared God and refused to carry out Pharaoh's command to kill the Hebrew boys at birth, sparing them alive because they would not commit murder. Because they disobeyed the king in order to obey God, He showed His approval by prospering them and giving them families of their own. Pharaoh had given that murderous command because Satan was moving him to defeat God's purpose, knowing that a deliverer was to be raised up from among the Hebrews. The verse belongs to the account that shows women in Bible times were entrusted with the care of women in childbirth, with confinement as their appointed work. It therefore upholds the Lord's plan for trained women to serve as midwives and physicians to women, a work in their own sphere that God recognizes and blesses with His presence.
Midwives Feared God
The Hebrew midwives feared God and refused to obey the king of Egypt's command to kill the Hebrew boys at birth, saving the male children alive because they dared not commit murder. Their fear of God led them to defy Pharaoh's cruel order, choosing disobedience to the king in obedience to God. Because of that choice God approved them and prospered them, making them houses.
Pharaoh's command to destroy the male children came because Satan moved him to defeat God's purpose. Satan knew that a deliverer was to be raised up among the Hebrews to rescue them from oppression, and stirred Pharaoh to destroy the boys to thwart that deliverance.
Women Caring for Women
In Bible times women served as midwives who cared for women in childbirth, taking charge of and responsibility for their confinement as their appointed work. Men acting in this capacity was not considered proper. The account of the Hebrew midwives stands as biblical precedent for women attending women in childbirth. This arrangement of women caring for women in childbirth is the Lord's plan.
Women should therefore be trained to provide skilled midwifery and medical care to other women. Women in childbirth should be attended by women, who should serve as midwives and physicians to women. This work of women caring for women was recognized and blessed by God, who made houses for the Hebrew midwives who took charge of the women in childbirth. God works with women who take this responsibility, and the Hebrew midwives are an example of women serving faithfully in their own sphere.
The midwives feared God and refused to carry out Pharaoh's command to kill the Hebrew boys at birth, sparing them alive because they would not commit murder. Because they disobeyed the king in order to obey God, He showed His approval by prospering them and giving them families of their own. Pharaoh had given that murderous command because Satan was moving him to defeat God's purpose, knowing that a deliverer was to be raised up from among the Hebrews. The verse belongs to the account that shows women in Bible times were entrusted with the care of women in childbirth, with confinement as their appointed work. It therefore upholds the Lord's plan for trained women to serve as midwives and physicians to women, a work in their own sphere that God recognizes and blesses with His presence.
Midwives Feared God
The Hebrew midwives feared God and refused to obey the king of Egypt's command to kill the Hebrew boys at birth, saving the male children alive because they dared not commit murder. Their fear of God led them to defy Pharaoh's cruel order, choosing disobedience to the king in obedience to God. Because of that choice God approved them and prospered them, making them houses.
Pharaoh's command to destroy the male children came because Satan moved him to defeat God's purpose. Satan knew that a deliverer was to be raised up among the Hebrews to rescue them from oppression, and stirred Pharaoh to destroy the boys to thwart that deliverance.
Women Caring for Women
In Bible times women served as midwives who cared for women in childbirth, taking charge of and responsibility for their confinement as their appointed work. Men acting in this capacity was not considered proper. The account of the Hebrew midwives stands as biblical precedent for women attending women in childbirth. This arrangement of women caring for women in childbirth is the Lord's plan.
Women should therefore be trained to provide skilled midwifery and medical care to other women. Women in childbirth should be attended by women, who should serve as midwives and physicians to women. This work of women caring for women was recognized and blessed by God, who made houses for the Hebrew midwives who took charge of the women in childbirth. God works with women who take this responsibility, and the Hebrew midwives are an example of women serving faithfully in their own sphere.