The Women of the Exodus: Heroes of Faith and Courage

The Book of Exodus is a profound narrative that not only chronicles the escape of the Israelites from Egypt but also reveals the extraordinary roles played by women in this pivotal moment of history. As we delve into the stories of these remarkable women, we uncover the moral courage and compassion that shaped the very foundations of a culture rooted in freedom and justice. Through their actions, these women defied tyranny, exemplified faith, and ultimately paved the way for a new generation of leaders.

The Context of the Exodus

Today, many people are aware of the trends in society that threaten to lead us toward a culture of inhumanity and oppression. The cry for justice resonates deeply, and while the solution is fundamentally rooted in Jesus Christ, the challenge lies in how to cultivate a community that embodies the values of the Kingdom of God. The promised land, often perceived as a distant future or a metaphor for heaven, must also be understood as a present reality where we actively seek to live out God’s will in our lives and communities.

Understanding the Promised Land

For the Jewish people, the promised land was not just a geographical location; it symbolized a life lived in covenant with God. This relationship is at the heart of the community formed around the Word of God, where individuals gather to seek His presence and guidance. As we reflect on the lessons from Exodus, we recognize that it not only teaches us about deliverance from oppression but also provides a roadmap for establishing a culture of life and liberty.

The Role of Women in the Exodus

As we explore the Book of Exodus, it becomes clear that the narrative is rich with examples of women whose bravery and moral courage were instrumental in shaping the course of history. Rabbi Jonathan Sacks highlights the significance of six women whose actions were vital to the story of Moses and the Exodus. Their stories remind us that before Moses emerged as a leader, these women displayed profound faith and compassion in the face of overwhelming evil.

1. The Midwives: Defying Pharaoh’s Orders

The first examples of courage come from the Hebrew midwives, Shiphrah and Puah. They were ordered by Pharaoh to kill all male Hebrew babies at birth. Instead of complying, they chose to fear God and protect the lives of these infants, knowing full well the grave consequences they might face. Their refusal to obey such a tyrannical command demonstrates an unwavering commitment to justice and the sanctity of life.

When confronted by Pharaoh, the midwives cleverly explained that Hebrew women were vigorous and gave birth before they could arrive. Their quick thinking not only saved countless lives but also showcased their profound faith. God rewarded their bravery by blessing them with families of their own, proving that righteousness is ultimately rewarded.

2. Moses’s Mother: A Mother’s Love

Following the midwives’ courageous act, Moses’s mother also demonstrated incredible bravery. After hiding her son for three months, she placed him in a basket and set him afloat on the Nile, trusting in God’s providence. This act of faith was not just an act of desperation; it was a profound statement of hope and trust in God’s plan for her child.

Her actions allowed for Moses to be raised in the palace of Pharaoh, setting the stage for his future leadership. The courage displayed by Moses’s mother exemplifies the deep love and sacrifice that mothers often make for their children, reflecting the heart of God in protecting His people.

3. Pharaoh’s Daughter: Compassion Across Borders

Pharaoh’s daughter emerges as another remarkable figure in this narrative. When she discovered Moses in the basket, she felt compassion for him, despite knowing he was a Hebrew child. This moment of empathy transcended the racial and social barriers of her time. Her decision to save Moses and raise him as her own not only challenged the oppressive norms of her society but also illustrated the power of compassion in the face of tyranny.

Pharaoh’s daughter defied her father’s orders and took on the responsibility of motherhood, demonstrating that love and compassion can triumph over hatred and oppression. This act of courage highlights the importance of empathy in creating a just society.

4. Miriam: The Bold Sister

Miriam, Moses’s sister, played a crucial role in the narrative as well. After Pharaoh’s daughter rescued Moses, it was Miriam who boldly approached her and offered to find a Hebrew nurse for the child. This act of leadership and initiative not only ensured that Moses was cared for by his biological mother but also showcased the importance of women in positions of influence.

Miriam’s actions reflect the qualities of a true leader—courage, resourcefulness, and a commitment to doing what is right, even in difficult circumstances. Her story serves as a reminder that women have always played vital roles in shaping the course of history.

Lessons from the Women of the Exodus

The stories of these women teach us valuable lessons about courage, compassion, and the importance of standing up for what is right. In a world that often seems dominated by oppression and injustice, their examples serve as a beacon of hope and inspiration. Here are some key lessons we can draw from their experiences:

• Courage in the Face of Adversity: The midwives, Moses’s mother, and Pharaoh’s daughter all displayed incredible courage when faced with life-threatening situations. They chose to stand up for justice and protect the innocent, reminding us that we too must be willing to act in the face of injustice.
• The Power of Compassion: Compassion transcends boundaries and societal norms. Pharaoh’s daughter’s decision to save Moses illustrates how love can overcome hatred and prejudice, teaching us to see the humanity in every individual.
• Leadership and Initiative: Miriam’s boldness and resourcefulness highlight the importance of women in leadership roles. We should encourage and empower women to take on leadership positions and advocate for justice in our communities.
• Faith in God’s Plan: Each of these women acted out of faith, trusting that God had a purpose for their actions. We are reminded to seek God’s guidance and trust in His plan, even when the future seems uncertain.

Conclusion: Building a Culture of Life and Justice

As we reflect on the stories of the women of the Exodus, we are called to cultivate a culture that values humanity, compassion, and justice. In a world increasingly marked by division and inhumanity, we must strive to embody the principles exemplified by these women.

By seeking God’s guidance and empowering one another, we can create communities that reflect His love and grace. Let us remember that the battle we face is not merely against evil but for the restoration of dignity, justice, and truth. Together, we can build a culture where compassion reigns, and the presence of God dwells among us.

Photo by Library of Congress on Unsplash

The Women of Exodus

(Sermon Outline)

1. Many people are seeing trends in society that they know are leading us toward a culture of inhumanity and oppression, but few have a clear vision of how to turn the situation around.
   1. I have a passion to develop a clear vision of how to turn things around and have found the book of Exodus provides a map to do so.
   1. The book teaches how deliverance from tyranny and totalitarianism is accomplished, but also how a culture of freedom and life is created. – Life Springs
   1. It is both a book of hope for those confronting a world governed by the will to power and a map of how to move toward the promised land.
   1. The first part of the book of Exodus has imparted the hope of liberty to the oppressed throughout the ages but it is the second part that teaches us how to build a culture of liberty.
   1. In the next couple of weeks, we are going to look at some principles from the book of Exodus that give us a map to the promised land – to make free people from slaves.
   1. What is at stake is a culture of humanity or inhumanity.
   1. The Book of Exodus teaches us how to create a home for the divine presence.
   1. Since it is Mother’s day, we are going to look at the divine setup in the book of Exodus.
2. I think people often consider the burning bush the beginning of Exodus.
   1. We also probably think of Moses as the big human hero of the book.
   1. God began working before he showed up in the burning bush.
   1. One other feature of Moses’ early life should not be overlooked. Though he is the central figure in the drama of the exodus, there is a striking emphasis on the roles of six women, without whom there would not have been a Moses.[1]
   1. These are six stories of outstanding moral courage and they are all about women, at least two of whom, Zipporah and Pharaoh’s daughter, are not Israelites (the identity of the midwives is left uncertain, perhaps deliberately so). It is the women who recognise the sanctity of life and refuse to obey orders that desecrate life. It is the women who, fearing God, are fearless in the face of human evil. It is the women who have compassion – and justice without compassion is not justice. It is as if the Torah were telling us that Moses, the supreme embodiment of the passion for justice, is not enough. There must be, in Carol Gilligan’s phrase, “a different voice,” the voice of empathy, sympathy and attachment, the values that make us human, if we are to create a society in which justice has a human face.[2]
   1. Exodus 2:5–10 (NKJV) — 5 Then the daughter of Pharaoh came down to bathe at the river. And her maidens walked along the riverside; and when she saw the ark among the reeds, she sent her maid to get it. 6 And when she opened it, she saw the child, and behold, the baby wept. So she had compassion on him, and said, “This is one of the Hebrews’ children.” 7 Then his sister said to Pharaoh’s daughter, “Shall I go and call a nurse for you from the Hebrew women, that she may nurse the child for you?” 8 And Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Go.” So the maiden went and called the child’s mother. 9 Then Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Take this child away and nurse him for me, and I will give you your wages.” So the woman took the child and nursed him. 10 And the child grew, and she brought him to Pharaoh’s daughter, and he became her son. So she called his name Moses, saying, “Because I drew him out of the water.”
   1. Instead of “Pharaoh’s daughter” read “Hitler’s daughter” or “Stalin’s daughter” and we see what is at stake. Tyranny cannot destroy humanity. Moral courage can sometimes be found in the heart of darkness.[3]
   1. Pharaoh’s daughter took responsibility and became a mother.
3. A Battle between humanity and inhumanity
   1. When we understand what the battle is that we are facing, a battle that is not new under the sun, it helps us discern whether we are part of the problem or the cure.
   1. Generalization, demonization are two areas where we become part of the problem.
   1. Life is complex and nuanced
   1. Faith in our fears or of an evil report.
   1. The word of God is a measuring rod to evaluate the values and opinions that are proposing directions to the promised land.
4. God’s word brings us hope
   1. When evil seems to be embedded in the institutions of society.
   1. The sovereignty of God who is always at work.
   1. A battle over how we see the world: (David) Psalm 11:1–4 (NKJV) — 1 In the Lord I put my trust; How can you say to my soul, “Flee as a bird to your mountain”? 2 For look! The wicked bend their bow, They make ready their arrow on the string, That they may shoot secretly at the upright in heart. 3 If the foundations are destroyed, What can the righteous do? 4 The Lord is in His holy temple, The Lord’s throne is in heaven; His eyes behold, His eyelids test the sons of men.
   1. The good news is that once we see the principles to transform people (transform people and transform the world) we are able to build a house for the divine presence.
5. The law of liberty and the power of the gospel – an example of a law:
   1. Deuteronomy 23:7 (NKJV) — 7 “You shall not abhor an Edomite, for he is your brother. You shall not abhor an Egyptian, because you were an alien in his land.
   1. Love and forgiveness
   1. The great commission and the power of the gospel to change lives.
   1. Many problems arise from seeking fulfillment outside of God – even among believers
   1. Parents on Mother’s day
      1. Our love for our children – yet we can never meet their needs
      1. We always fall short of what people deserve but God never does.
      1. We can introduce them to the only person who can.
      1. Husbands and wives.
      1. Genesis is the foundation of the Exodus – walking with God personally before the nation walks with God.
      1. How we should live and relate to one another and the power to do so.
6. Put on love
   1. God’s law brings life, blessing and liberty.
   1. Colossians 3:12–17 (NKJV) — 12 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. 14 But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. 15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
   1. The closer we walk with God the more we want to love people and for people to experience love, but the more we realize how much we fall short of what people need and deserve. 
   1. That is why we preach the gospel.

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[1] Sacks, Jonathan. Exodus: The Book of Redemption (Covenant & Conversation 2) (p. 9). Kindle Edition.

[2] Sacks, Jonathan. Exodus: The Book of Redemption (Covenant & Conversation 2) (pp. 9-10). Kindle Edition.

[3] Sacks, Jonathan. Exodus: The Book of Redemption (Covenant & Conversation 2) (p. 28). Kindle Edition.