Aug 13 | Resistance Lectionary Part 7: Mischievous Midwives

Citation: Exodus 1:8-21

In the years after Joseph’s death in Egypt, we learn that a new king has arisen who does not have the same cordial relationship with the Israelites that once existed. The old patterns of suspicion and xenophobia begin again, and the Egyptian leadership begins a campaign of oppression and all-out genocide against the Israelites.

It has barely taken one generation for the friendships forged by Joseph to be forgotten.

During this time, new heroes of faith emerge in the story of the people of God.

Shiphrah and Puah are largely unsung in white Christian discourse. We don’t tend to learn about them in Sunday school, focusing instead on the story of baby Moses in the basket on the river. These two midwives, however, are remembered with great honour in the Jewish faith. The great 11th century rabbi Rashi identified them with Jochebed and Miriam, Moses’ mother and sister in his Talmud commentary.

The prominent Jewish theologian Francine Klangsbrun reflected that their act may have been the “first known incident of civil disobedience in history.” While it’s difficult to say that with certainty, it’s surely one of the earliest documented examples available to Western civilization.

Shiphrah and Puah occupy only six verses and have strangely generic names (they mean “beautiful” and “little girl,” respectively), but tradition remembers them as literal saviours of the whole Jewish people. We should not overlook the significance of their inclusion as heroic women in the Book of Exodus. While white patriarchal Christianity often makes reference to women as crafty deceivers, the story of the midwives complicates the idea of female cunning being solely or even inherently negative.

If that notion seems conveniently modern to you, know that Shiphrah and Puah are not the only crafty women who will use their wiles to become heroes of faith in the Bible. We will learn about many more as we continue our journey through the Resistance Lectionary.

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