Deliverance Through the Faithfulness of the Overlooked
Summary
Growing up, stories of resistance and hope like Star Wars captured my imagination, but the real story of deliverance is found in the pages of Scripture. Before Moses ever led the Israelites out of Egypt, there were two unsung heroes: Shipra and Pua, Hebrew midwives who defied Pharaoh’s genocidal decree. Their story, tucked away in Exodus 1, is a powerful reminder that God often works through the weak and overlooked to bring about his purposes. These women, facing the full force of imperial power, chose to fear God rather than man, risking their lives to protect the vulnerable. Their courageous civil disobedience is not just a historical footnote—it’s the very foundation upon which the deliverance of Israel is built.
The passage highlights a recurring biblical theme: God’s deliverance from death to life through the faithfulness of the lowly. The multiplication of the Israelites, despite Pharaoh’s oppression, echoes God’s creation mandate and his covenant with Abraham. Human rulers may hoard power and perpetuate injustice, but God’s purposes are fulfilled through those who seem insignificant. Whether Shipra and Pua were Hebrew or Egyptian, their social position as women in a patriarchal society made their resistance all the more remarkable. God honored their faithfulness, blessing them with families and using their actions to set the stage for Moses’ birth and the eventual exodus.
This pattern of salvation—deliverance through the waters, from Noah to Moses to the Red Sea—culminates in Jesus, the ultimate deliverer who brings us from death to life. Just as Mary protected Jesus from a murderous king, Shipra and Pua protected the future of Israel. Their stories challenge us to consider our own role in God’s redemptive work. We are called not only to receive deliverance but to participate in it, standing against injustice and embodying hope, even when it costs us our comfort or safety.
In our own context, this means listening to the stories of the marginalized, standing with those who suffer, and using whatever influence we have to seek justice and righteousness. God doesn’t require us to fix everything, but to be faithful where we are. Even when we feel weak or insignificant, God delights in using us to display his power and bring liberation. The invitation is to trust in God’s deliverance and to take tangible steps—however small—to love, serve, and stand with those in need.
Key Takeaways
- God’s Power Is Perfected in Weakness
Throughout history, God has chosen to work through those whom society deems weak or insignificant. Shipra and Pua, as lowly midwives, stood against the might of Pharaoh, demonstrating that true strength lies in faithfulness to God rather than worldly power. Their story reminds us that our limitations are not obstacles but opportunities for God’s power to be revealed. [12:46]
- Faithful Resistance Is an Act of Worship
The midwives’ refusal to obey Pharaoh’s command was not just an act of civil disobedience; it was a profound expression of their reverence for God. Their fear of God outweighed their fear of man, and in choosing righteousness over compliance, they became instruments of deliverance. Our own acts of resistance against injustice, no matter how small, are sacred when rooted in a desire to honor God. [05:19]
- God’s Covenant Purposes Prevail Despite Oppression
Pharaoh’s attempts to suppress and destroy the Israelites only accelerated their growth, fulfilling God’s promise to Abraham. Oppressive systems may seem overwhelming, but God’s purposes cannot be thwarted. Even in the darkest circumstances, God is at work, multiplying hope and life through the faithfulness of his people. [09:35]
- Deliverance Is Both Personal and Communal
God’s deliverance is not just about individual salvation but about the liberation of entire communities. The midwives’ actions paved the way for Moses, who would lead a nation to freedom. Likewise, our faithfulness can have ripple effects far beyond our own lives, contributing to the restoration and flourishing of others. [13:36]
- Faithfulness Begins with Small, Courageous Steps
We are all invited to participate in God’s work of justice and restoration, regardless of our social position or perceived influence. This may look like building relationships with those who are suffering, standing up against injustice, or simply being present and generous. God honors even the smallest acts of faithfulness, using them to bring about his deliverance in the world. [22:46]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:30] - Star Wars and the Power of Origin Stories
[02:10] - Introducing Shipra and Pua: The Prequel to Moses
[03:10] - Pharaoh’s Genocidal Decree
[04:10] - The Midwives’ Fear of God
[05:19] - Civil Disobedience and Divine Favor
[06:22] - Multiplication Amidst Oppression
[07:35] - Pharaoh’s Flawed Strategies
[08:44] - Power Reversal: Weakness as Strength
[10:20] - Who Were Shipra and Pua?
[12:46] - Embodied Hope in the Face of Injustice
[13:36] - Salvation Through the Waters: Moses, Noah, and Baptism
[14:32] - Parallels with Mary and Jesus
[16:17] - The Call to Stand Against Injustice
[17:58] - Listening to the Marginalized
[19:21] - Faithfulness Over Fear
[20:24] - Justice, Righteousness, and Social Location
[21:46] - Using Your Position for God’s Purposes
[22:46] - Tangible Steps Toward Justice
[23:32] - God’s Deliverance Through the Weak
[24:29] - Prayer and Response
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: “Deliverance Through the Faithfulness of the Overlooked”
---
### Bible Reading
- Exodus 1:15-22
The king of Egypt said to the Hebrew midwives, whose names were Shiphrah and Puah, “When you are helping the Hebrew women during childbirth on the delivery stool, if you see that the baby is a boy, kill him; but if it is a girl, let her live.” The midwives, however, feared God and did not do what the king of Egypt had told them to do; they let the boys live... (read full passage)
- Genesis 1:28
God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it…”
- Genesis 17:4-6
“As for me, this is my covenant with you: You will be the father of many nations... I will make you very fruitful; I will make nations of you, and kings will come from you.”
---
### Observation Questions
1. According to Exodus 1:15-22, what specific command did Pharaoh give to the midwives, and how did they respond?
[[03:10]]
2. What reason did the midwives give Pharaoh for not following his order, and how did God respond to their actions?
[[05:19]]
3. In the sermon, what is the repeated word or theme in Exodus 1 that connects back to God’s promises in Genesis?
[[09:35]]
4. What does the passage say happened to the Hebrew people as a result of Pharaoh’s oppression?
[[06:22]]
---
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does the sermon highlight the fact that Shipra and Pua are named, while Pharaoh is not? What does this say about how God values people?
[[05:19]]
2. The sermon mentions that the midwives’ fear of God was greater than their fear of Pharaoh. What does it mean to “fear God” in this context, and how did it shape their actions?
[[12:03]]
3. How does the multiplication of the Israelites, even under oppression, show God’s faithfulness to his promises in Genesis?
[[09:35]]
4. The sermon draws a connection between the deliverance of Moses, the crossing of the Red Sea, and the story of Jesus. What is the significance of this pattern of “salvation through the waters”?
[[13:36]]
---
### Application Questions
1. The midwives risked their safety to do what was right, even though they were “weak” in the eyes of society. Is there a situation in your life where you feel powerless, but sense God calling you to act faithfully anyway? What might a small step of faithfulness look like for you?
[[12:46]]
2. The sermon challenges us to listen to the stories of the marginalized and stand with those who suffer. Who in your community or circle might feel overlooked or oppressed? What is one practical way you could listen to or support them this week?
[[17:58]]
3. Shipra and Pua’s resistance was an act of worship rooted in their reverence for God. Are there areas where you are tempted to “go along” with something unjust or wrong because it’s easier? What would it look like to choose faithfulness over comfort?
[[21:09]]
4. The sermon says God’s deliverance is both personal and communal. How have you experienced God’s deliverance in your own life? How might your story encourage or help someone else?
[[21:46]]
5. The pattern in Scripture is that God uses the weak and overlooked to accomplish his purposes. How does this challenge the way you view your own limitations or weaknesses?
[[23:32]]
6. The sermon encourages taking tangible steps toward justice, even if they seem small. What is one specific action you can take this week to love, serve, or stand with someone in need?
[[22:46]]
7. The midwives’ story began the chain of events that led to Israel’s deliverance. Who might be impacted by your faithfulness, even if you never see the results? How does this perspective affect your willingness to act?
[[13:36]]
---
Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Invite the group to pray for courage to be faithful in small things, to listen to the stories of those who are suffering, and to trust God’s power to work through their weakness.
Devotional
Day 1: Faithful Resistance in the Face of Injustice
Shipra and Pua, two Hebrew midwives, courageously defied Pharaoh’s genocidal command because they feared God more than they feared the king. Their act of civil disobedience was not just a refusal to participate in evil, but a bold stand for life and justice, even at great personal risk. God honored their faithfulness, blessing them with families and using their obedience to further His purposes for His people. Their story reminds us that even those considered weak or insignificant by society can be powerful agents of God’s deliverance when they choose faithfulness over fear. [05:19]
Exodus 1:15-22 (ESV)
Then the king of Egypt said to the Hebrew midwives, one of whom was named Shiphrah and the other Puah, “When you serve as midwife to the Hebrew women and see them on the birthstool, if it is a son, you shall kill him, but if it is a daughter, she shall live.” But the midwives feared God and did not do as the king of Egypt commanded them, but let the male children live. So the king of Egypt called the midwives and said to them, “Why have you done this, and let the male children live?” The midwives said to Pharaoh, “Because the Hebrew women are not like the Egyptian women, for they are vigorous and give birth before the midwife comes to them.” So God dealt well with the midwives. And the people multiplied and grew very strong. And because the midwives feared God, he gave them families. Then Pharaoh commanded all his people, “Every son that is born to the Hebrews you shall cast into the Nile, but you shall let every daughter live.”
Reflection: Where in your life are you being called to stand up for what is right, even if it means risking your comfort or reputation?
Day 2: God’s Power in Weakness
Throughout the story, God chooses to work through those who are overlooked and considered powerless—midwives, mothers, and sisters—to bring about His deliverance. The multiplication of the Israelites in the face of oppression is a testament to God’s faithfulness and His ability to use the weak to shame the strong. This paradoxical reversal of power is a recurring theme in Scripture, showing that God’s strength is made perfect in our weakness and that He delights in using humble, ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary things. [10:20]
1 Corinthians 1:27-29 (ESV)
But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God.
Reflection: What area of your life feels weak or insignificant, and how might God be inviting you to trust Him to work through it?
Day 3: From Death to Life—The Waters of Deliverance
The motif of salvation through water runs throughout the Bible: Moses is saved from the Nile, Israel is delivered through the Red Sea, Noah survives the flood, and believers are brought from death to life through baptism. Each story points to God’s power to deliver His people from death and oppression, culminating in the ultimate deliverance through Jesus. These acts of salvation are not just historical events but living reminders that God is still in the business of bringing hope and new life out of places of despair. [13:36]
Romans 6:3-4 (ESV)
Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.
Reflection: Where do you need to experience God’s deliverance from “death to life” in your own story today?
Day 4: Justice and Righteousness Go Hand in Hand
The story of Shipra and Pua reveals that justice and righteousness are inseparable in God’s eyes. Their fear of God led them to act justly, even when it meant opposing the most powerful ruler of their time. God calls His people not only to personal piety but to active participation in His work of justice—defending the oppressed, standing with the marginalized, and using whatever influence or position we have to seek restoration and wholeness for others. [20:24]
Micah 6:8 (ESV)
He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?
Reflection: What is one concrete step you can take this week to seek justice or stand with someone who is suffering?
Day 5: Trusting God’s Deliverance and Responding in Faith
God is a deliverer who sees, hears, and responds to the cries of His people. He invites us not only to receive His deliverance in our own lives but also to become agents of hope and restoration for others. No matter your social position or how small your actions may seem, God can use your faithfulness to bring about His purposes. The invitation is to trust in His power to deliver and to courageously step into the roles and relationships He has given you, embodying His love and justice in tangible ways. [23:32]
Psalm 34:17-18 (ESV)
When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.
Reflection: Who in your life needs to experience God’s hope and deliverance, and how can you be present with them or intercede for them today?
Quotes
Throughout the Bible, particularly in this passage, we see a theme of God delivering his people from death to life through the God-fearing faithfulness of the weak and lowly. This is the heart of the passage, and really this is the heart of the gospel. [00:06:07] (15 seconds)
Regardless of the ethnic background of these women, it's inarguable that given their lowly social position as women in the ancient Near East, their resistance is this incredible display of defiant courage and faith. And God honors their faithfulness. He shows kindness to the midwives and not only blesses the whole Hebrew community through these women, but on a personal level, God gives them families of their own. [00:12:20] (25 seconds)
Similar to the God-fearing faith of the midwives, Noah was found righteous in God's sight and became this instrument for God's deliverance for all of creation. This death of life through the waters, right? We symbolically reflect this through the practice of baptism. [00:14:06] (15 seconds)
In the New Testament, I find Mary's experience as a mother who delivers our Messiah Jesus is a profound parallel to Shifra and Pua. In both stories, these women who work to protect the lives of baby boys from a genocidal decree of power-hungry oppressive rulers. They're celebrated for their faithfulness to God, even when their own lives are at stake. [00:14:40] (23 seconds)
Jesus is the greatest deliverer, who ultimately brings us all from death to life through his sacrifice on the cross. Our Savior King is a slain lamb. Yet again, God demonstrates his power and deliverance through the weak and lowly, defeating the enemy. [00:15:19] (22 seconds)
Some of you need to simply be reminded that Jesus came to deliver you from your pain, from your suffering, from the brokenness in this world. Not only that, but to deliver you from your own sin and the ways that you contribute to the suffering of others. [00:15:48] (16 seconds)
Shipra and Pua offer us a biblical example of righteous resistance against oppressive powers that perpetuate systems of injustice. See, justice and faith go hand in hand. In fact, justice and righteousness are often used interchangeably in scripture. [00:20:52] (17 seconds)
Chatbot
-
I'm an AI bot trained specifically on the sermon from May 19, 2025. Do you have any questions about it?