Have you ever heard of Shiphrah and Puah? They’re not as well-known as Moses or Esther, but their story shows us something incredible: God can use anyone, even in the most difficult and dangerous situations, to make a difference. Sometimes, the courage to do what’s right, even when it seems small, can have a huge impact.
Shiphrah and Puah were midwives in Egypt during a dark time for the Israelites. The Israelites were living in Egypt as slaves, and their population was growing rapidly. The Pharaoh, the ruler of Egypt, became afraid that the Israelites were becoming too powerful. So, he came up with a cruel plan to stop them from growing: he ordered that every baby boy born to the Israelites should be killed.
Can you imagine how terrifying that must have been? Shiphrah and Puah were given the horrible task of carrying out this order. But instead of obeying Pharaoh, they made a brave decision. They feared God more than they feared Pharaoh, and they knew that taking innocent lives was wrong. So, they refused to do it.
When Pharaoh noticed that the Israelite baby boys were still being born and surviving, he called Shiphrah and Puah to question them. The midwives could have been killed for disobeying Pharaoh, but they were clever and brave. They told Pharaoh that the Israelite women were strong and gave birth before they could even arrive, which wasn’t entirely true, but it saved lives.
Because of their courage, Shiphrah and Puah were able to save countless lives. They chose to do what was right, even though it put their own lives at risk. God saw their bravery and blessed them for it. He gave them families of their own as a reward for their faithfulness.
The actions of Shiphrah and Puah might seem small—they were just two women doing their job—but they made a huge difference. By saving those baby boys, they played a part in God’s plan to rescue His people. One of those boys they saved might have even been Moses, the very man God would later use to lead the Israelites out of slavery.
Shiphrah and Puah’s story reminds us that even when we feel small or insignificant, God can use us to do great things. It’s easy to think that our actions don’t matter, especially when we’re up against something as big as injustice or fear. But Shiphrah and Puah show us that when we choose to do what’s right, no matter how small it seems, God can use our courage to make a difference.
How often do we face situations where we have to choose between what’s right and what’s easy? We might think, “What difference can I really make?” But Shiphrah and Puah show us that even the smallest acts of courage can change the course of history. God sees our bravery, and He honors it, even if no one else does.
God used Shiphrah and Puah to protect His people in a time of great danger. They didn’t have power or influence, but they had faith and courage. They knew that God values life, and they were willing to stand up for what was right, even when it wasn’t easy. Their story encourages us to be bold in our faith, to stand up for what we believe in, and to trust that God can use us, no matter how small we might feel.
So, what can we learn from Shiphrah and Puah? We learn that in God’s kingdom, even the smallest acts of courage can have a huge impact. When we choose to do what’s right, even in the face of fear, God can use us to bring about His plans. Shiphrah and Puah’s story encourages us to trust in God, to be brave, and to remember that He is always with us, no matter what we face.
In a world that often overlooks the small and the quiet, Shiphrah and Puah remind us that God values every act of faithfulness. Their story shows us that when we stand up for what’s right, we’re never standing alone—God is with us, and He can use our courage to make a difference in ways we might never expect. Just like Shiphrah and Puah, we can trust that God will use our faithfulness to bring about His good purposes.