Exodus 1:17

Norwegian 1930 (Det Norsk Bibelselskap 1930)

Men jordmødrene fryktet Gud og gjorde ikke som kongen i Egypten bød dem, men lot guttebarna leve.

What Does This Mean?

Exodus 1:17 tells us that the midwives, Shiphrah and Puah, refused to follow Pharaoh's command to kill the newborn Hebrew boys. Instead, they kept the boys alive because they feared God more than the king. This shows their courage and faith in God's will.

Explained for Children

Imagine if a mean teacher at school told you to throw away all the good cookies, but you knew it was wrong and kept them for your friends. That’s like what the midwives did. They did the right thing because they knew God wanted them to protect the babies.

Historical Background

This verse is part of the book of Exodus, written by Moses around 1446 B.C. It was meant for the Israelites to understand their history and God's protection. At the time, the Israelites were slaves in Egypt, and Pharaoh was trying to control their population by ordering the death of newborn boys.

Living It Out Today

In a modern context, this could apply to someone who is pressured to lie or cheat at work but chooses to act with integrity, knowing that doing the right thing is more important than following an unjust order.

Topics

• obedience
• courage
• faith
• protection
• resistance
• God's will

Related Verses

• Joshua 2:1-21
• Proverbs 29:25
• Esther 4:14
• Acts 5:29
• 1 Peter 3:14-17

Recommended Reading

Commentary Exodus Commentaries → Get This Bible Norwegian (Det Norsk Bibelselskap ) Study Bible →

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did the midwives disobey the king's command?

The midwives disobeyed the king's command because they feared God more than they feared the king. They believed in doing what was right and protecting the lives of the Hebrew babies.

What can we learn from the midwives' actions?

We can learn the importance of standing up for what is right, even if it means going against authority. The midwives' actions show the power of faith and courage in following God's will.

How does this verse relate to modern situations?

This verse can be applied to situations where one must choose between following unjust authority and doing what is morally right. It encourages integrity and faith in challenging circumstances.

What does this verse say about the relationship between faith and obedience?

This verse highlights that true faith often involves being obedient to God's will rather than to human commands. It shows that faith can give the strength to act with integrity in difficult situations.