In Genesis we saw that God had led the children of Israel into Egypt - the place where the Serpent lived and they had been happy there for many years because the Serpent was not allowed to touch them - until the arrival of a New King which meant a New Season - and change!
God had already told them what would happen. Gen 15:13-16. The time had come for them to move out of Egypt and this involved hardship. Life is not always easy. 1 Peter 4:12-13 & 1 Peter 5:10.
The King reacted in fear. Exodus 1:1-16.
The Israelites were good workers and the new King could have harnessed all that energy but he opposed it because he operated out of fear. Do we operate out of fear and jealousy in certain relationships where we feel threatened.2 Timothy 1:7 & 1 John 4:18 & Romans 12:17-21.
The King said the Israelites “are mightier than we” he was living with insecurity! What are we going to do with our insecurities?
Pharaoh decided to use his own initiative “he dealt shrewdly” with them!
When we use our own resources and tactics instead of listening to God and doing things His way we end up doing Satan’s business - the taskmasters are a picture of the demonic carrying out Satan’s orders!
The task masters “afflicted” - means literally “browbeat, depressed & abused” the Israelites and made them serve with “rigour” literally this means they tried to crush or break them apart. Pharaoh made their lives “bitter” but God was on their side so they continued to be fruitful & the Egyptians remained “in dread” of them! Even though Satan attacks - he is afraid of us when we trust in God.
Here are 4 things we need to know and do in time of crises and change.
1. Instead of despair help deliver God’s purposes. Exodus 1:17-21
When things take a turn for the worse - don’t panic. God knows what He is doing - believe His promises. We can chose to be a spiritual midwife so as to birth God’s purposes. Check out Titus 3:8 &14. The word midwife means “to show lineage or make to bring forth!”
The first midwife was called Shiphrah meaning “beautiful or splendid with the idea of a canopy or tapestry!” A midwife symbolises an intercessor and as we intercede for others we cover them in prayer like a canopy.
A tapestry is woven and often hangs on a wall for all to see. This symbolises how God can give us vision of what His ultimate will and purpose is - then we can pray for His pattern and plan to come forth!
Puah the second midwife means “girl or to glitter brilliantly!” Remember Moses! Exodus 34:28-30. As we spend time with God in intercession we will begin to shine for God.
These two beautiful girls were not afraid of Pharaoh but they had a healthy fear of the Lord! They had more bottle than Pharaoh!! They were rewarded by having families of their own!
When we live with a healthy fear of the Lord so as to obey Him He sees us as His “beautiful glittering girls” and He rewards us! Proverbs 3:7-8 & 9:10-11 & 14:26 & 16:6 & 19:23 & 22:4 Eccl 8:12 Psalms 25:14 & 31:19 & 34:7 & 61:5 & 103:11,13. & 111:5,10 & 112:1 & 115:11-14 & 128:1-6 & 145:19
The job of the midwives was to see the birth of babies in the land. Giving birth in the natural was and still is a risky - dangerous process!!
However God wants us to give spiritual birth to His purposes in life and to encourage and enable others to do the same.
God has always had His people in place and often they are women who with God’s help just do what they can with what they have got.
2. Release everything to God. Exodus 1:22 & 2:1-3 Eccles 11:1.
Jochebed was pregnant with baby Moses and she and her husband Amram were from the tribe of Levi - the line of priests. We too have a role as priests - we are God’s own special people who are called to walk in the light. 1Peter 2v9. This mother (and father) had learned to trust God - she stopped striving as she released the child to the care of God. Check out Hebrews 11:23.
The child who was eventually going to deliver the nation was hidden for 3 months and then put in an ark - same word for chest or coffin. Dying to our plans allows God to resurrect His plans. Galations 2:20.
3. Know that God can use even our enemy for His purpose. Vs4-9.
Pharaoh’s daughter arrived at the river at just the right time and God had prepared her heart so that she wanted to adopt the child. She must have had to stand strong before Pharaoh in order to do what she did.
4. Get into position. Vs4-9.
Miriam stood by the river so that she was in the right place at the right time. Because of her faithfulness the child was nursed by his own mother and was under her influence until he was weaned. (Possibly until he was five years old.) God had purpose in allowing Moses to go to Egypt - to prepare him to take Israel out of the land and to write the Scriptures. Acts 7:22.
Lessons for life.
1. Are we operating in fear or faith? In security or insecurity? In jealously or love? Are we trying to control things or do we trust God?
2. In this desperate situation instead of despair the midwives chose to help deliver God’s purposes. We have the same choice to make in times of trial, change and transition.
3. Do we truly understand that God can use even our enemies to bring His plans for our lives to pass?
4. We are all adopted into Gods family and we all have destiny. Eph 1v5.
In Gods eyes we are His Princesses and he wants us to be rescuers of His babies - so that Satan will not succeed in destroying them.
5.We all need to be nursed spiritually so that we will grow and mature to do God’s purposes. 1Peter 2:2.
6. Like Miriam are we faithful “as sisters” to wait in position for an opportunity to speak a good word that will bless each other. 1 Pet 2:17