In Exodus 1, we meet two women whose courage and faithfulness changed the course of Israel’s history. Shiphrah and Puah were Hebrew midwives serving under a Pharaoh who feared the growing number of Israelites and ordered that every Hebrew male child be killed at birth. But these women, instead of obeying the unjust law, chose to fear God more than man. “But the midwives feared God, and did not as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the men children alive” (Exodus 1:17).

What’s striking about Shiphrah and Puah is that their disobedience to the king wasn’t born out of rebellion—it was born out of reverence for God. They knew that obeying God’s command to protect life took precedence over a corrupt ruler’s decree. Their actions saved countless lives, including the life of Moses, who would one day lead the Israelites out of Egypt.

These women had no great titles, no positions of power, yet their small acts of bravery had an eternal impact. They risked their lives for the sake of justice and righteousness, demonstrating that even in moments of oppression and fear, faithfulness to God’s command is the truest path to victory. In a world where standing up for what’s right may feel costly, Shiphrah and Puah remind us that courage is always worth it, and God honors those who stand firm for His will.

Today, when faced with opposition or injustice, remember the courage of Shiphrah and Puah. Ask God to give you the boldness to stand for righteousness, even when the world calls for compromise. Your faithfulness can change the course of history.