Understanding Exodus 1:20-21 in Depth: God Rewards Courage

Context of Exodus 1:20-21

The story of the midwives comes right after Pharaoh’s cruel command to kill all newborn Hebrew boys.

Shiphrah and Puah, the two midwives, refused to obey because they feared God and let the baby boys live. When Pharaoh questioned them, they said the Hebrew women gave birth too quickly for them to arrive in time.

Because they chose to honor God over human authority, the Bible says God blessed them with families of their own.

Honor, Shame, and Standing Up to Power

In the world of the ancient Near East, honor and shame shaped people’s lives, and Pharaoh’s plan to control the Hebrews was as much about power as it was about fear.

By refusing to kill the baby boys, the midwives risked their status and safety, going against the most powerful man on earth at the time. They ignored Pharaoh’s threats because they feared God, which meant reverent respect and loyalty rather than simple fear. In that culture, obedience to a higher authority like God could redefine true honor, even if it came from a quiet act of courage by two women.

God honored the midwives not by making them famous, but by giving them families - something deeply valued in their culture.

God’s blessing of families for Shiphrah and Puah turned their quiet faithfulness into lasting legacy, showing that divine approval often works in ways that human systems overlook.

God's Blessing for Those Who Fear Him

The midwives’ story shows that fearing God - meaning reverent trust and obedience - leads to His blessing, even in small, quiet ways.

This theme runs through Scripture, like when God tells Jeremiah that He knew him before he was formed in the womb, showing that every life matters to Him. In the same way, God honored Shiphrah and Puah not with riches or fame, but by giving them families, affirming that faithfulness in hidden places still counts for much.

Their courage sets a pattern for all who face pressure to do wrong: trusting God, even quietly, opens the door to His care and blessing.

From Midwives to Messiah: How This Story Points to Jesus

The midwives’ act of preserving life fits into a much bigger story - one that begins with God’s promise to Abraham and points forward to Jesus, the ultimate deliverer.

God had promised Abraham that his descendants would be numerous and a blessing to all nations, and even when Pharaoh tried to stop that promise by killing babies, God worked through the courage of two women to keep His plan alive. This protection of the Hebrew babies is an early sign that no power on earth can stop what God has sworn to do.

God’s blessing on the midwives wasn’t just about families - it was part of His promise to bring life, not death, through His people.

Centuries later, as a child, Jesus escaped King Herod, who ordered the killing of babies. Likewise, God protected the nation through the midwives and protected the Savior through divine protection, showing that His plan for salvation progresses one life at a time.

Application