Through The Bible in a Year - February 6, 2026

“The midwives feared God more than they feared the king.”* – Exodus 1:17

The midwives had been ordered by Pharoah to kill the male children of the Israelite slaves. In the account, there is this simple sentence that tends to elude our attention: “Then the king of Egypt said to the Hebrew midwives, one of whom was named Shiphrah and the other Puah…”

Did you catch that? The midwives are named. The king of Egypt is not.

If you’ve watched the Charlton Heston version of The Ten Commandments, you know the pharaoh’s name—Ramses. But that’s not in the Bible. Whoever the king was, he’s never named. Who gets named? Who gets remembered for generation after generation?

Those who fear God more than man. Those who have courage to do what God requires.

Shiphrah and Puah were just two midwives. Obscure. Facing an evil decree from the most powerful man in their world: “Kill the baby boys.” They had every reason to obey out of fear for their lives. Who could blame them for obeying?

But they feared God more than Pharaoh. And God remembered their names for all eternity.

We sometimes feel that if we do things for God, it won’t matter. No one will remember. But God is saying, “For those who will stand for Me, I remember you.”

Why? Because those who obey God are participating in a mission grander and more important than any human could design or control. Because Shiphrah and Puah saved baby boys, Moses lived. Because Moses lived, Israel was freed. Because Israel was freed, Jesus came. Because Jesus came, you and I can be saved.

Respond: What act of courage is God calling you to in obscurity? What right thing feels too small to matter? Remember: God remembers names, and through small acts of faithfulness, He multiplies His purposes through those he remembers for eternity.

Prayer: Father, help me fear You more than man. Give me courage to do what’s right even when no one’s watching, even when it seems too small to matter. You remember names. You multiply your purposes. Use my small faithfulness for Your eternal glory. In Jesus’ name, amen.