Have you ever noticed the Exodus story doesn’t contain the names of Egypt’s rulers? Pharaoh was a title like king. Some might be tempted to argue including the names of the specific pharaohs involved in the Exodus saga, could make it easier for some to believe, but that misses the point. You see, although the pharaohs' names are omitted, the epic does include two surprising names, Shifra and Pua. Poor young midwives, who defied a pharaoh risking everything to save the lives of Hebrew boys as they were being born, are called by name. God blessed them and remembered them.
By omitting the pharaoh's name, while including the specific servants who defied him, the Bible screams, "Forget him; he is not important!" Too often we rehearse the names of our obstacles and adversaries, as if they control our fate. They do not matter. Is the Lord awed by anyone's glory or influence? Of course not. If God does not worry about the powers of men neither should we. Like Shifra & Puah, God calls us to act wherever he has placed us. Those midwives were not famous. Few knew their names. Less witnessed their bravery. God knew. He saw. In Exodus 1:15-21, the Creator points to the pair of women declaring, "Do not forget these women or what they have done!" The Lord sees bravery and obedience. He honors those who honor Him. I’m Julie West and that’s Worth Remembering.
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