The meaning of their names are similar. Shiphra means “fair, clear, like the brightness of sky” and comes from a verb meaning “to glisten.” Puah means “splendid” and comes from a word that means “to glitter, or brilliancy.” Mentioned by name only once, these women (Glisten and Glitter) played a crucial role in the Exodus story.

Their story: Exodus 1:8-22

Shiphrah and Puah were midwives for Israelite women in Egypt. There was a new king who did not know about Joseph and the blessings that came through him. This king was concerned that the Israelites were more numerous and more powerful than the Egyptians. He forced the Israelites to build supply cities for him. The more he oppressed them, the more they multiplied and became stronger. Maintaining his course of actions, he created even more hardships and removed necessary resources to do the work he commanded. He also summoned Shiphrah and Puah and commanded these midwives to kill all the baby boys born to the Israelite moms – at the moment they were born. Shiphrah and Puah feared God and killed none of the children born to Israelite families. When the king summoned them back to explain their actions (or inaction), they told the king the Israelite moms delivered their babies before the midwife could get to them. Because they had not followed the king’s order, God gave both Shiphrah and Puah their own families. These two midwives stood between the king and God’s people and protected the most vulnerable and innocent of the Israelites.

Their story: Exodus 1:8-22

Shiphrah and Puah were midwives for Israelite women in Egypt. There was a new king who did not know about Joseph and the blessings that came through him. This king was concerned that the Israelites were more numerous and more powerful than the Egyptians. He forced the Israelites to build supply cities for him. But the more he oppressed them, the more they multiplied and became stronger. Maintaining his course of action, he created even more hardships and removed necessary resources to do the work he commanded. He also summoned Shiphrah and Puah and commanded these midwives to kill all baby boys born to Israelite moms at the moment they were born. Shiphrah and Puah feared God and killed none of the children born to Israelite families. When the king summoned them back to explain their actions (or inaction), they told the king the Israelite moms delivered their babies before the midwife could get to them. Because they had not followed the king’s order, God gave both Shiphrah and Puah their own families. These two midwives stood between the king and God’s people and protected the most vulnerable and innocent of the Israelites.

Their legacy for us: In Acts, we read about Peter and John who were commanded not to talk about God and they ask, “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to Him? You be the judges!” Shiphrah and Puah were shining examples of a living response to the same question and to the question, “Who do I ultimately trust?”

Our response to Him:  Am I courageously following Your instructions when it is hard as quickly as when it is easy? When others look at my life, do they know my first response will be to follow You?