And because the midwives feared GodThe midwives' fear of God indicates a deep reverence and respect for His authority, which is a recurring theme throughout the Bible. This fear is not terror but a recognition of God's power and holiness. In the context of Exodus, the midwives' fear of God contrasts with Pharaoh's disregard for human life and divine authority. Their actions demonstrate a moral courage that aligns with the biblical principle found in
Proverbs 9:10, "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom." This reverence for God over human authority is echoed in
Acts 5:29, where Peter and the apostles declare, "We must obey God rather than men."
He gave them families of their own
In the ancient Near Eastern context, having a family was considered a blessing and a sign of God's favor. The midwives' reward for their faithfulness and fear of God is the granting of families, which signifies stability, legacy, and divine approval. This blessing can be seen as a fulfillment of the promise that those who honor God will be honored by Him, as stated in1 Samuel 2:30. Theologically, this phrase underscores the biblical principle that God rewards those who are faithful to Him, as seen inHebrews 11:6, which states that God "rewards those who earnestly seek Him." The midwives' story also prefigures the New Testament teaching that God blesses those who prioritize His will, as seen inMatthew 6:33, "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."
Persons / Places / Events
1.
MidwivesThe Hebrew midwives, Shiphrah and Puah, who defied Pharaoh's orders to kill Hebrew male infants. Their fear of God led them to preserve life.
2.
PharaohThe king of Egypt who ordered the killing of Hebrew male infants to suppress the growing population of the Israelites.
3.
GodThe sovereign deity who rewards the midwives for their faithfulness and fear of Him by blessing them with families.
4.
Hebrews/IsraelitesThe descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, who were living in Egypt and growing in number, causing concern for Pharaoh.
5.
EgyptThe land where the Israelites were enslaved and where these events took place.
Teaching Points
Fear of God Leads to Righteous ActionsThe midwives' fear of God over Pharaoh's command demonstrates the importance of prioritizing God's will above human authority.
God Rewards FaithfulnessThe midwives' faithfulness resulted in God blessing them with families, showing that God honors those who honor Him.
Courage in the Face of OppressionThe midwives' courage to defy an unjust order encourages believers to stand firm in their convictions, even when facing societal pressures.
The Sanctity of LifeThe midwives' actions underscore the value of life and the importance of protecting it, aligning with the biblical principle of the sanctity of life.
Divine ProvidenceGod's intervention in the lives of the midwives illustrates His providential care and ability to bless those who trust in Him.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Exodus 1:21?
2.How did God reward the midwives' fear of Him in Exodus 1:21?
3.What does Exodus 1:21 teach about God's response to obedience?
4.How can we apply the midwives' example of fearing God in our lives?
5.What other biblical examples show God blessing those who fear Him?
6.How does fearing God influence our daily decisions and actions?
7.How does Exodus 1:21 reflect God's reward for obedience and faithfulness?
8.Why did God bless the midwives with families in Exodus 1:21?
9.What does Exodus 1:21 reveal about God's justice and mercy?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Exodus 1?
11.Exodus 1:19 – How credible is the claim that midwives could successfully deceive an absolute monarch renowned for strict oversight and harsh penalties?
12.How does Romans 13:2's warning against resisting authority align with biblical accounts of resisting evil rulers (e.g., Exodus 1:17)?
13.The Old Testament allows slavery (Exodus 21:2-11); why would a moral God condone it?
14.Exodus 2:2 - How could a newborn be successfully hidden for three months without detection by Pharaoh's forces?What Does Exodus 1:21 Mean
And becauseThe opening conjunction links directly to the midwives’ courageous stand in verses 17-20. God is making a clear cause-and-effect statement.
• In Scripture, obedience never floats in a vacuum; it always draws a divine response (Deuteronomy 28:1-2;Galatians 6:7-9).
• The use of “because” shows that what follows is not random kindness but a reward tied to their prior faithfulness, echoingGenesis 22:16-18 where God blesses Abraham “because you have done this.”
• God’s character is revealed as both just and personal—He sees, remembers, and responds (Exodus 2:24;Malachi 3:16-18).
the midwives feared GodThis phrase highlights the motive behind their civil disobedience to Pharaoh’s murderous order.
• “Feared” here speaks of reverent awe that leads to concrete action (Proverbs 1:7;Acts 5:29).
• Their fear of God outweighed fear of man—an enduring biblical principle seen inDaniel 3 andHebrews 11:23-27.
• God honors those who honor Him (1 Samuel 2:30). In valuing life they aligned with God’s heart, anticipating commands like “You shall not murder” inExodus 20:13.
• Their example shows that true fear of God is practical: it protects the innocent, resists evil, and trusts God with the consequences (Psalm 34:9-10).
He gave them families of their ownThe Lord answers their sacrificial service with personal blessing.
• The wording pictures a tangible, home-centered reward—children and households (Psalm 127:3-5; 128:1-4).
• Midwives were often childless, making this gift especially meaningful; God turns their perceived lack into fullness (Psalm 113:9).
• The blessing is not merely biological; it affirms their place in Israel’s covenant community, much like Ruth being granted a lineage leading to David (Ruth 4:14-17).
• This outcome illustrates God’s faithful care for those who risk for righteousness (Matthew 19:29).
summaryExodus 1:21 shows a straightforward chain: courageous fear of God → divine favor. By standing for life against a tyrant, the midwives placed themselves under God’s protection, and He repaid their reverence with the intimate blessing of families. The verse assures believers that the Lord notices every act of godly fear and is ready to reward it in His perfect way and time.
(21)
He made them houses.--God rewarded those who had showed tenderness to young children, by giving them children of their own, who grew up, and became in their turn fathers and mothers of families. There is no indication that the "houses" spoken of were Hebrew ones.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
And becauseכִּֽי־(kî-)Conjunction
Strong's 3588:A relative conjunctionthe midwivesהַֽמְיַלְּדֹ֖ת(ham·yal·lə·ḏōṯ)Article | Verb - Piel - Participle - feminine plural
Strong's 3205:To bear young, to beget, medically, to act as midwife, to show lineagefearedיָֽרְא֥וּ(yā·rə·’ū)Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 3372:To fear, to revere, caus, to frightenGod,הָאֱלֹהִ֑ים(hā·’ĕ·lō·hîm)Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 430:gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlativeHe gaveוַיַּ֥עַשׂ(way·ya·‘aś)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6213:To do, makethem families of their own.בָּתִּֽים׃(bāt·tîm)Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 1004:A house
Links
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OT Law: Exodus 1:21 It happened because the midwives feared God (Exo. Ex)