Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-

 An Innocent Lie? 

Exodus 1:15-21
v19 The midwives answered Pharaoh, “Hebrew women are not like Egyptian women; they are vigorous and give birth before the midwives arrive.” 
 

When is it okay to tell a lie? When is it okay to stretch the truth just a little bit? I find that when needed, we can convince ourselves that any lie, had a purpose and was necessary in the given moment. We know that we should not lie – that lies are not rewarded. But what if a lie is absolutely necessary? What if it’s a matter of life and death?
 
The days of Joseph and his favor with Pharaoh were long gone, however his descendants, the descendants of Jacob and Isaac and Abraham continued to grow. While God’s promise to Abraham was being fulfilled, the new Pharaoh saw only a threat. He made various attempts at oppressing the Israelites in the hope of deterring them and discouraging them, and yet they continued to grow and thrive. Pharaoh ordered the Hebrew midwives to murder any male babies that were born to Hebrew women. This would prevent future warriors from being born and future fathers who could aide in producing more children.
 
In the Moody Bible Commentary, we are reminded that “When the laws of man are in conflict with the commandments and will go God, the faithful must obey God rather than men” as seen in Acts 5:29. Shiphrah and Puah, the two women overseeing the midwives, feared God. They trusted in God over the words of Pharaoh. They knew that what Pharaoh asked did not align with God’s Command – and so – they trusted in God and trusted that He, being a just God, would take care of the rest. They were willing to face the consequences for the sake of saving God’s children.
 
These women feared God and were willing to lie to a Pharaoh who would stop at nothing– even murdering newborn babies – to ensure that his power reigned supreme. If this Pharaoh took no issue in murdering innocent babies – his wrath probably made very little exceptions.
Do we have this kind of boldness in our own faith? Are we willing to do something that makes us vulnerable in order to stand by what is truly right? Do we trust in God’s justice? Shiphrah and Puah were two women who despite telling a lie to Pharaoh obeyed God – no question, no hesitation.

PRAYER 
Dear Lord, please help me to trust in You, in Your justice and Your promise of hope. Let me always do what is right, even when it is hard or scary, and trust that You will see me through every challenge. 

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
When it comes to choosing between standing for God's kingdom and human evil, we must not hesitate to stand for God.

Mrs. Rena Titus, St. John’s MTC, New York
Christian Education Forum, Diocese of NAE of the Mar Thoma Church

Popular posts from this blog

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
  Constant, patient and welcoming love of God   St. Luke 15: 11-32  V.21: And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ The parable of the ‘Prodigal son’ is one of the most frequently quoted parables that Jesus told His disciples. The parable contains the rich mine of human virtues and emotions. This parable is lived and re-lived in progressing civilizations from time immemorial and continuing. It brings out in vivid detail the pathetic depth of human sinfulness and the glorious heights of God’s forgiveness.      As a story of human nature, fathers are generally merciful to their children in any circumstance. They are very protective and are eager to provide for and secure the lives of their offspring. Jesus is telling this parable to underscore the superlative love of God to His children. The nature of such love is reiterated by Jesus in Matthew 7:11. Humankind wh...
Read more

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
Revelation for Liberation Acts 27:18-26 Sherine Thomas Long Island MTC, NY 20  When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest raged, all hope of our being saved was at last abandoned. “After winter comes the summer.  After night comes the dawn.  And after every storm, there comes clear open skies” so said a Scottish clergyman from the 1600s. It’s been said, that hope can sometimes be the most dangerous weapon.  However, it’s sometimes the hardest weapon to carry when you’re living with the loss of a loved one, something that almost feels like a terrible nightmare that’ll never go away.  It’s a weapon difficult to carry when day in and day out no one seems to hear or see those tears that are shed or silent cries that are made during a heartfelt prayer. It’s a weapon difficult to carry as you see your loved one lying on that hospital bed.  It’s a weapon difficult to carry as you search and seek out answers to tel...
Read more

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
PRIESTHOOD: THE ANOINTED MINISTRY Exodus 40:12-16 Bring Aaron and his sons to the entrance to the Tent of Meeting... wash them with water. Then dress Aaron in the sacred garments, anoint him and consecrate him so he may serve me as priest (Exodus 40: 12-13). Priesthood among the people of God was a divine command and initiation. God wanted some people to be separated for the special ministry among his people. God appointed Aaron and his descendants to take up this kind of ministry among the people of God. Priests are always separated and appointed as channels that connect God with his people. All throughout the history of Israel, priests played an important role in connecting people with God and to lead and guide them in the statutes of God. But there are incidents in the Bible where the priests failed in their duties and that led the people to go away from God. So the priests have a special and significant ministry to perform in this world among his people. Two important things...
Read more