Yesterday, we studied Miriam in blog # 6 of 7 in the series “Women of the Bible”. We examined how she possessed the positive characteristics of compassion and encouragement.
This is blog # 7 of 7
Today, we will study
Puah and Shiphrah
| Name Pronunciation | Name Meaning |
| Puah (POO-uh) | Unknown |
| Shiphrah (SHIF-ruh) | Beauty |
Who Were They?
Hebrew midwives who feared God and refused to obey Pharaoh’s law to kill all male Hebrew babies to decrease the Hebrew population.
Biblical Background
The Hebrews were slaves in Egypt and they were rapidly increasing in number. Pharaoh feared the Hebrew population was growing too quickly and the men would join his enemies and go to war against him, so he commanded the midwives to kill the Hebrew boy babies at birth and keep the girls alive.
Biblical Text
Exodus 1:15 – 22
Key Facts
- Puah and Shiphrah were Hebrew midwives
- Ezekiel 16:4 describes midwives duties
- Cut the umbilical cord
- Wash the baby in water
- Rub the baby with salt
- Wrap the baby in a swaddling cloth
- These two Hebrew slave women were called before the king to explain why the Hebrew boy babies were allowed to live; they told the king the Hebrew women gave birth quickly before they arrived; Pharaoh must have believed them because he did not put them to death as was the custom for disobeying the king, instead he came up with another plan to destroy the Hebrew male babies by making a law to throw every Hebrew male baby in the Nile River
- Because the midwives feared God more than the king, God blessed them, and the Hebrew population multiplied
Strengths
- They chose to obey God rather than man
- They were courageous, loyal, obedient, and respected God
Significance
Their obedience and loyalty to God helped save the male Jewish population from destruction and bring forth the Promised Messiah, Jesus, the Savior of the world.
Lessons From Their Lives
- Leaders and laws of the land may tell us what to do, but we are responsible to obey God’s law which is written on our hearts
- God rewards obedience
- Fear of God refers to respect – submission to God because He is holy. We should respect and submit to God because He is holy and righteous
Geographical and Family Data
- Where: Egypt
- Occupation: Midwives
Personal Life Application
Puah and Shiphrah possessed the positive characteristics of courage, loyalty, obedience, and respect for God.
- Download my 1-page Bible Study Guide
- Print the guide so you can write your answers
- Ask yourself
- “Do I possess these characteristics?”
- When faced with a decision to obey an earthly person in authority (boss, government, etc.) who contradicts God’s commands ask yourself “Is it better for me to obey God rather than man” Acts 5:29
This study concludes the 7 blog post series “Women of the Bible”.
My Prayer For You
- You are strengthened in your faith and obedience to God
- You have learned how you can apply the lessons from these 7 Biblical women in your lives
- You are encouraged to be a light in this dark world
God bless you
- Check out my FREE email course Essential Oils 101 for Women in Ministry
- Do you need help organizing your life, home, or office? Check out my Organizational Worksheets
Links to Each Blog in This Series:
Women of the Bible Series Blog # 1 of 7: Daughters of Zelophehad
Women of the Bible Series Blog # 2 of 7: Shelomith
Women of the Bible Series Blog # 3 of 7: Cozbi
Women of the Bible Series Blog # 4 of 7: Jochebed
Women of the Bible Series Blog # 5 of 7: Zipporah
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