Greatness on Reserve

I want to share about 2 exceptional women with you. Their names are Shiphrah and Puah. Their story is found in the first chapter of Exodus. They first caught my attention because they were asked by Pharaoh to kill the Israelite baby boys and they refused. Wow. They were given a direct order from their king and they did not comply. Why did they refuse? The 17th verse states that they feared God. Double Wow! To my understanding these midwives were Egyptian midwives that aided the Israelite women during birth. They were not Hebrew. They had, I'm assuming, been influenced by the Hebrews' lives and had come to understand the power of this God that the Israelites served and feared themselves. They had been shown the love and light of God.

Now, because of the refusal by the midwives to kill the baby boys, we find in vs. 20 that the people (Israelites) multiplied and grew very mighty. I'm sure that the midwives had no idea that their refusal to kill these babies would cause such multiplication and increased mightiness within the Hebrews. We know they had at least one conviction - they feared God. They feared God more than they feared Pharaoh and this fear caused greatness to occur.

I want to camp out here for just a minute. You see, Shiphrah and Puah were created for greatness. They didn't see the greatness that would come about by their simple fear of God, but greatness was waiting. Greatness was on reserve. We oftentimes in our lives wonder how greatness will ever come from our simple acts of obedience such as being a helpmate to our spouses, training our children at home, working in the church, or even giving to someone in need. But I am here to assure you that greatness is on reserve. Do we need to look for that greatness every day? Not necessarily, but I know that our spouses, our children and the people that we pour into through our service to the body will increase in mightiness. Not because we're something great or powerful. But because the One we fear is great and powerful and He is faithful to complete this work He has begun.

Another thought on these women is the meaning of their names. Shiphrah means brightness, to glisten. Puah means to glitter, brilliancy. These women glowed. From the time of their birth, they were created for this greatness. They were to glitter, to glisten. As we fear God and live our lives according to His plan, we become bright lights in a dark world. You could say we glitter and we glisten. Because of their fear of God, Shiphrah and Puah were given households of their own (vs. 21). God blessed them. It's the same with all of God's children. Isaiah 3:10 states, Say to the righteous it will be well with them, For they shall eat the fruit of their doings.

So, my friends, as you live right standing with God, remember that greatness is on reserve. It is only a matter of time when that greatness will be revealed. Also, you will live in God's blessings when you choose Him above the world or your own selfish desires. God blessed two Egyptian women for their fear of Him. If He chose to bless them so greatly, will He not choose to bless you even more so?