Author: meghanewhite

Women in the Bible

The Heroic Hebrew Midwives

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Pharaoh and the Midwives, James Tissot, C. 1900 WikiArt

When admired women of the Bible are discussed, names like Esther, Ruth, and Deborah are mentioned. These faithful women were used by God mightily. But these aren’t the only Godly women in the Bible. There are many women who obeyed God and impacted history. Some were named, and some remain nameless in the Word of God. 

Shiphrah and Puah are heroes of the faith. Two ordinary Hebrew women used by an extraordinary God. Shiphrah and Puah were Hebrew midwives. Puah means “splendid or radiant” in Hebrew. Shiphrah means “beauty or harmony” in Hebrew. What beautiful names for two Godly women. 

In the first chapter of Exodus we learn about the oppression of the Israelites by the Egyptians. The king of Egypt did not like that the Israelitess had grown to such a large number. He feared that if war broke out, the Israelites would join an enemy army, fight against Egypt, and leave the country. So Pharaoh put slave masters over the Israelites and forced them into hard labor.

Pharaoh’s oppression backfired. The more the Israelites were oppressed, the more their numbers multiplied. The Egyptians dreaded the Israelites and worked them ruthlessly. The Israelites had to make bricks, and work in the fields. This was hard backbreaking labor.

Pharaoh came up with another plan to decrease the numbers of the Israelites since harsh labor was not working. 

The Hebrew Midwives obey God.

15 The king of Egypt said to the Hebrew midwives, whose names were Shiphrah and Puah, 16 “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.”17 The midwives, however, feared God and did not do what the king of Egypt had told them to do; they let the boys live.18 Then the king of Egypt summoned the midwives and asked them, “Why have you done this? Why have you let the boys live?”  Exodus 1:15-18, NIV 

Pharaoh vastly underestimated these women by thinking they would follow his orders. Shiphrah and Puah took an enormous risk by refusing to kill the male babies. They were just lowly midwives, yet what they did was daring. Because of their fear of God they protected the Hebrew baby boys. 

19 The midwives answered Pharaoh, “Hebrew women are not like Egyptian women; they are vigorous and give birth before the midwives arrive.” Exodus 1:19, NIV 

It’s assumed that Shiphrah and Puah lied when answering Pharaoh. This may not be the case. Many Bible commentators say the midwives lied, and some say they did not. Verse 19 gives their answer, and we are not told anything further on whether or not what they said was true. Maybe it was partly true. If the midwives did lie, was it justified?

20 So God was kind to the midwives and the people increased and became even more numerous. 21 And because the midwives feared God, he gave them families of their own. Exodus 1:20-21, NIV 

God blessed the midwives because they feared Him and obeyed Him. God did not bless them for lying. He blessed them for their faithfulness. God always knows our heart and what is motivating our actions. Shiphrah and Puah were rewarded for their incredible faith with families of their own. 

And so the Israelites just kept increasing. God blessed the Israelites during harsh oppression by continually multiplying their numbers. When Pharaoh’s oppression increased, God’s goodness increased more. These two incredible ordinary midwives were a part of God’s extraordinary plan. 

Shiphrah and Puah stood up to evil because they loved God. As a result, the Israelites grew in great numbers, and the groundwork was laid for Israel to be set free from the Egyptians. The stage was also set for the birth of Moses, the prophet who would lead his people out from Pharaoh’s enslavement.

God used two seemingly insignificant regular women to participate in His perfect plan for Israel. 

These precious women inspire me to fear God, not man.

Love you all,

Meghan 

If you need prayer send your prayer request to meghanewhiteauthor@gmail.com

References

https://www.abarim-publications.com/Meaning/Puah.html

https://www.abarim-publications.com/Meaning/Shiphrah.html

https://jwa.org/encyclopedia/article/shiphrah-midrash-and-aggadah

https://www.chabad.org/parshah/article_cdo/aid/3555182/jewish/Who-Were-Shifra-and-Puah-the-Hebrew-Midwives.htm

How Two Midwives Tricked Pharaoh

Guest Post

Check Out This “Good News” Newspaper

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red framed eyeglasses on newspapers
Photo by Suzy Hazelwood on Pexels.com

Roaring Wind Tribune is a Christian newspaper based out of Maryland. It all began with one man’s dream to bring the love of God to his local community. His dream became a reality in September 2019 with the very first edition.

“We believe that the door to salvation is always open and so are the doors to the churches in our community. Our mission is to be fully devoted to Jesus by opening our arms to those in search of the truth. We show God’s love and concern for our fellow man at every opportunity. Through works of charity and opening our doors to listen and love, we feel that we are walking in the footsteps of Jesus.” –Roaring Wind Tribune

20,000 newspapers are printed each month and distributed to local business, churches, and ministries. Roaring Wind Tribune is filled with uplifiting articles, and columns like Hometown Heroes and Dear Abba. They even have a crossword puzzle.  

The electronic version is available at their site for free, or you can subscribe and receive a newspaper in your mailbox each month. Subscriptions are $30 a year. 

Unbeknownst to me, someone from Roaring Wind Tribune came across my article The Narrow Path and invited me to contribute to their publication. I was so surprised and honored. I didn’t know anything about them at the time but now I do. I’m thrilled to be able to participate in spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ with this awesome newspaper.

The link will take you to all of their electronic editions. If you open the current issue, July 2021, you can find my article, The Narrow Path, on page 6. You can also read all of the other great articles and resources.

https://www.roaringwindtribune.com/april-2021

Thanks for stopping by! God bless and keep you.

Love you all, 

Meghan 

This link will take you directly to the home page of Roaring Wind Tribune.

https://www.roaringwindtribune.com

Joey Flynn's Extraordinary Tale

Book Review! —

meghanewhite

Welcome back to… arielaonthego! It means that I am officially off hiatus! School is over and I’m going for a summer vacation. Yay! Today I’m going to be reviewing the book by Meghan E. White, Joey Flynn’s Extraordinary Tale. You can purchase this book on Amazon.com. Ms. Meghan very kindly sent me a free copy […]

Book Review! —

Persecution

Day of the Christian Martyr

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June 29th is the anniversary of the Apostle Paul’s martyrdom according to church tradition. To remember the many who have lost their lives for the cause of Christ, Voice of the Martyrs honors a martyr each year by telling their incredible story.

Most of these martyrs will never get talked about on any news media. They aren’t Christian celebrities. Many are missionaries who have laid down their lives because of their love of Jesus.

This year Voice of the Martyrs is honoring Rocio Pino. In 2011 Rocio was gunned down by Marxist Guerrillas on the doorstep of her house. She left behind a husband and two daughters. Rocio’s family lived in Columbia’s Guerrilla controlled Red Zone. Rocio faithfully shared the love of Christ with the Guerrillas.

“All who come here will hear about Christ.” Rocio Pino

Learn more about Rocio’s story and many other honored martyrs at Voice of the Martyrs. Click on the link to register and Voice of the Martyrs will send you all kinds of resources including prayer slides, discussion guides, and short videos all related to Day of the Christian Martyr. https://www.persecution.com/martyr/?_source_code=EM21F8

Around the world, more than 340 million Christians live in places where they experience high levels of persecution, just for following Jesus. That’s 1 in 8 believers, worldwide. (Open Doors USA)

An average of 13 Christians killed every day. That’s nearly 400 Christians dying every month. Just because they follow Jesus. (Open Doors USA)

May we always remember the persecuted church, our brothers and sisters in Christ, in our daily prayers.

Today we honor the martyrs. We are grateful and inspired by their faith, dedication, and love for Jesus and others. God bless their legacy and the families they left behind. God will keep blessing the advancement of the Kingdom until the return of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Amen.

Love you all,

Meghan

Link to Open Doors USA. They support persecuted believers in more than 60 countries.

Home

Link to Voice of the Martyrs. They serve persecuted Christians around the world.

https://www.persecution.com

joy

JOY

meghanewhite

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I’ve got the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart.

Do you have joy? Deep down in your heart? 

If you answered no please be assured you can get your joy back because it’s there. It just got buried in trials, heartache, and stress. If you’ve got Jesus then you’ve got joy.

What is joy?

Joy is an abstract noun so it can be difficult to describe because it’s not something we can physically touch or see. It is a feeling or an emotion by definition. But what emotion is it? How can we define it?

According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, joy is “the emotion evoked by well-being, success, or good fortune or by the prospect of possessing what one desires”. This description of joy is based on circumstances. Good things take place resulting in our happiness. But this joy is circumstantial and temporary. 

What is joy to the Christian?

Joy is not just a mood or a feeling to the Christ Follower, and is not dependent upon our circumstances. Joy is deeply rooted in every Believer. We cannot conjure it up or fake it. Joy is knowing who we are in Christ. Joy is delighting in God. Joy is constant, unshakeable confidence in God the Father. Joy is a gift from God to every Believer in Jesus Christ.

Joy in the New Testament 

Chara is a Greek word for joy that’s used often in the New Testament. Chara describes “a feeling of inner gladness, delight or rejoicing”. 

The birth of Jesus Christ is announced with joy.

But the angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people: Luke 2:10, HCSB 

Jesus gives us His joy.

“These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. John 15:11, NKJV 

One of the fruits of the Holy Spirit is joy.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, Galatians 5:22, NASB 

Prayer brings joy.

Until now you have asked for nothing in My name. Ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete. John 16:24, HCSB 

Trials bring joy. 

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, James 1:2, NIV 

Loving Jesus brings joy.

and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, 1 Peter 1:8, NASB 

Joy in the Old Testament

There are many Hebrew words for joy. Simchah is used frequently in the Old Testament and means “joy, mirth, pleasure, or exceeding gladness”. 

Strength comes from the joy of the Lord.

“For the joy of the LORD is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:10b, NKJV

There is joy in God’s presence.

You will make known to me the way of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forever. Psalm 16:11, NASB 

God can restore our joy.

Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. Psalm 51:12, NIV 

Joy results in praise. 

Shout for joy to God, all the earth! Psalm 66:1, NIV 

Wise words bring joy.

To make an apt answer is a joy to a man, and a word in season, how good it is! Proverbs 15:23, ESV 

God gives joy to the righteous.

For God gives wisdom and knowledge and joy to a man who is good in His sight; Ecclesiastes 2:26a, NKJV

Can we choose joy?

I say yes. Because the choice is not for a phony temporary happiness. You can’t just plaster on a fake smile, and voila you’ve got joy. Real joy is authentic, and is deep inside of every Christian. Joy is from God and part of who He is. We’ve got the Holy Spirit living inside of us as Believers, so we’ve got access to joy all the time. 

It’s easy to lose our joy because we are being bombarded with a million things that take our joy away. When we take our eyes off of Jesus our joy diminishes. It’s still there but we covered it up unknowingly. The good news is our beautiful Savior, Jesus, is unrelenting in loving us and reminding us of who we are in Him. That’s real joy.

Some things you can do to get your joy back.

Ask the Father to reignite your joy in Him.

Spend some time just worshipping God.

Write down Bible verses on joy and place them around your home.

Take social media breaks.

Turn off the news.

Take a day to fast and pray.

Some things to remember to help get your joy back.

Jesus is your Savior, and intercedes for you day and night.

The Holy Spirit indwells every Believer.

Heaven is the perfect eternal home waiting for those who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ.

Today is a new day with new mercies.

Jesus paid our sin debt in full.

Jesus will help you in all of your troubles.

Joy is a heart full of Jesus.

I just barely scratched the surface on the large subject of joy. God gave us the amazing gift of joy, His joy. What an awesome loving God we serve.

Love you all,

Meghan

If you need prayer email me at meghanewhiteauthor@gmail.com