Today’s Scripture: Exodus 1:15-21 and Acts 5:28-41
What a deplorable act Pharaoh commanded Shiphrah and Puah to commit—partial-birth abortion! Fortunately, these midwives had a greater fear of God than they did of Pharaoh. They saved what they were told to destroy, because it was the right thing to do. Doing otherwise would have compromised their convictions.
How do we know when to obey God rather than man? The story recorded in Acts 5 indicates we should stand up for what we know is right when authority challenges us to compromise a Biblical principle. The disciples had been arrested and jailed for preaching the gospel and winning converts to Christ. During the night, an angel released them from jail and told them to preach the Good News in the temple courts. When the high priest confronted them about their disobedience, the apostles responded, “We must obey God rather than man” (Acts 5:29).
God came alongside the midwives and honored their conviction to save the lives of the babies. Either He accelerated the birthing process for the Hebrew women (Exod. 1:19), or the midwives were intentionally slow in arriving on the scene. As a result of their obedience, God showed kindness and blessed them with families of their own.
- When are times you were challenged by authority to compromise your convictions? How did you respond?
- How do you differentiate between obedience to man and obedience to God?