Source Coverage: Exodus 1:15-16
Here is how I understand the situation. Pharaoh did not want open rebellion or public outrage. A mass execution order carried out publicly could have stirred unrest among the Egyptians and resistance among the Hebrews. So instead of issuing a visible decree at first, he chose a quieter, more calculated approach.
He summoned the Hebrew midwives-women who were trusted and present at the moment of birth-and commanded them to kill the male babies as soon as they were delivered. It was to appear as though the child had simply died in childbirth. In other words, he attempted to disguise murder as misfortune.
Infanticide is not a modern invention. It has stained human history for centuries. While the world may attempt to draw distinctions between terms like infanticide and abortion, both involve the taking of innocent life-a helpless child without a voice or the ability to defend himself. Exodus reminds us that the struggle over life is not new; it is as old as Pharaoh.
The command was specific-every male child was to be killed. If it was a daughter, she was allowed to live.
Likely, Pharaoh saw male babies as future warriors-potential threats to his power-while female babies would pose less military danger and could be assimilated into servitude. His decision was political, strategic, and deeply wicked.
Yet even here, we see something profound: when human authority commands what God forbids, there will always be those who must choose whom they will truly fear. And in the verses that follow, the midwives will show us that reverence for God outweighs obedience to evil men.
Here is how I understand the situation. Pharaoh did not want open rebellion or public outrage. A mass execution order carried out publicly could have stirred unrest among the Egyptians and resistance among the Hebrews. So instead of issuing a visible decree at first, he chose a quieter, more calculated approach.
He summoned the Hebrew midwives-women who were trusted and present at the moment of birth-and commanded them to kill the male babies as soon as they were delivered. It was to appear as though the child had simply died in childbirth. In other words, he attempted to disguise murder as misfortune.
Infanticide is not a modern invention. It has stained human history for centuries. While the world may attempt to draw distinctions between terms like infanticide and abortion, both involve the taking of innocent life-a helpless child without a voice or the ability to defend himself. Exodus reminds us that the struggle over life is not new; it is as old as Pharaoh.
The command was specific-every male child was to be killed. If it was a daughter, she was allowed to live.
Likely, Pharaoh saw male babies as future warriors-potential threats to his power-while female babies would pose less military danger and could be assimilated into servitude. His decision was political, strategic, and deeply wicked.
Yet even here, we see something profound: when human authority commands what God forbids, there will always be those who must choose whom they will truly fear. And in the verses that follow, the midwives will show us that reverence for God outweighs obedience to evil men.