Exodus

In Exodus 1:15-22, we learn of two Hebrew midwives named Shifrah and Pu’ah. Pharaoh could not stand that we, the Hebrew people, were prospering and growing despite the oppression and forced labor that he had laid on our ancestors’ backs.

So, Pharaoh ordered these women to kill any Hebrew male that was born, thinking that would wipe us out. However, in a brave act of defiance, these two Hebrew midwives “did not do as the king of Egypt ordered but let the boys live.” (Exodus 1:17).

The women’s reason: “the midwives were G-d fearing.” (Exodus 1:17).

Here, we see a prime example of the Proverbs 31 woman. When we Jewish women fear Hashem above all else, we can stand with courage in the power of Hashem. Despite threats, oppression, harsh labor, or any other tool or tactic that the enemy may use to try to break us down, shut us…

In Exodus 1:11, we learn that when the Egyptians saw how much Hashem was blessing the Hebrews, taskmasters were set over our ancestors to oppress them. Yet, true to who Hashem is, He kept His promises to His covenantal bride, our Jewish ancestors even in the land of their affliction. Thus the more the Jewish people were opressed, the more we proliferated.

We learn here that, yes, Hashem hears our cries and sees our suffering. He may wait, but He will always answer by blessing His Jewish people, even in the lands of our affliction. In the case of Egypt, our ancestors went down a mere 70 people, and by the end we see we left with 600,00 plus men, meaning 2-3 million plus (when you include women and children)! Baruch Hashem!

Am Yisrael Chai!

Kimberly Davis