Introduction
Don’t destroy destiny, but deliver it. This statement holds that children are the future of a nation; eliminating them, whether through omission, active participation, or policy, is destructive to the family and the nation’s destiny. The moral universal law is that humans are not allowed to kill innocent life.
Humanity’s chief enemy, as Jesus describes, is the father of lies and a murderer, whose sole purpose is to steal, kill, and destroy. This enemy of God and humankind, Satan, likes to destroy small things because they hold future potential, as he fears their growth and impact on humanity.
Looking in the second book of the Bible, Exodus chapter 1, and continuing to chapter 2, which details the story of the two midwives and their defiance of Pharaoh’s order of male infanticide, as well as the roles of Moses’s biological mother and sister, along with the adoptive mother — Pharaoh’s daughter — in saving Moses’s life as a baby.
The biblical passages in Exodus chapters 1 and 2 highlight this subject, showing how we can discourage ourselves and our society from aborting children and instead encourage support for fulfilling a child’s destiny from infancy.
One of the most common social ills of the past, and it is still present in our world today, is abortion. For example, in Egypt, when a new king arose who didn’t know Joseph, he decreed male infanticide. However, two Hebrew midwives disobeyed the king’s command and saved the lives of the Hebrew male infants.
This act of defiance resulted in the birth of a child who was kept alive and was destined to lead the children of Israel out of Egypt. The account also highlights the roles of three women in saving and shaping the destiny of Moses, a child born under Pharaoh’s order of male infanticide, who would later become the deliverer of the Israelites from Egypt.
Before we discuss this subject, the abortion of life is an abortion of destiny. Let’s look at a brief background history of the children of Israel’s presence in Egypt.
The State of the Children of Israel: Many & Mighty
Exodus 1:1–5 (NKJV) Now these are the names of the children of Israel who came to Egypt; each man and his household came with Jacob: 2 Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah; 3 Issachar, Zebulun, and Benjamin; 4 Dan, Naphtali, Gad, and Asher. 5 All those who were descendants of Jacob were seventy persons (for Joseph was in Egypt already).
There was a worldwide famine in the ancient Near East. The entire family of Jacob moved to and lived in Egypt, numbering 70 people in total (see Genesis 46:26–27; Deuteronomy 10:22; Acts 7:15–16). One of Jacob’s sons, Joseph, whom his own brothers sold as a slave, rose from prison to become the Lord of all of Pharaoh’s house (Chief Steward of the King), essentially the second in command of Egypt under Pharaoh.
Exodus 1:6 (NKJV) And Joseph died, all his brothers, and all that generation.
In times past, Jacob, the patriarch, had already passed away. Now, it was Joseph (see Genesis 50:26), along with all his brothers, who had died in their own time. And all that generation also died.
Exodus 1:7 (NKJV) 7 But the children of Israel were fruitful and increased abundantly, multiplied and grew exceedingly mighty; and the land was filled with them.
The children of Israel became many and mighty in a land of Egypt that was not their promised land, Canaan, but they possessed a foreign land. The children of Israel were initially few in number compared to the Egyptians when they arrived, but God’s promise made them numerous, populous, mighty, and a great nation in Egypt (See Deuteronomy 26:5–9).
This is the promise God has fulfilled to Abraham, Isaac, and now to Jacob and his children. Initially, God blessed Abraham and Sarah with their only son, Isaac (see Genesis 12:2). Isaac and Rebekah then had two children, Esau and Jacob (see Genesis 28:3–4). Jacob fathered twelve children with his two wives, Leah and Rachel (see Genesis 35:11; Genesis 48:3–6). From Jacob’s descendants, the nation of Israel was formed, comprising his twelve sons: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, Benjamin, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher & Joseph.
As Jacob considered whether to go to Egypt, he was in the promised land when God appeared to him and told him not to be afraid. In Egypt, God promised Jacob that he would become a great nation and would bring the children of Israel back to their promised land from Egypt (see Genesis 46:3–4). Here, we see a promise made by God to Abraham, passed down to Isaac, and fulfilled in Jacob, concerning a great nation for God.
There are words that describe how many and mighty the children of Israel were, as these were promises made to their ancestors, from Abraham, Isaac, to Jacob, and here we see the fulfillment of the prophecy of God’s promise made to Abraham, passed down to Isaac and fulfilled in Jacob and his twelve sons.
- They were fruitful (Gen. 17:6; 26:22; 28:3; 35:11; 41:52; 48:4; 49:22).
- They multiplied (Gen. 16:10; 17:2; 22:17; 26:4,24; 28:3; 35:11; 47:27; 48:4).
- They became mighty (Gen. 18:18).
- They filled the land (Ex. 1:7).
The Slavery of the Children of Israel: The New King of Egypt, Pharaoh
Exodus 1:8–14 (NKJV) 8 Now there arose a new king over Egypt, who did not know Joseph. 9 And he said to his people, “Look, the people of the children of Israel are more and mightier than we; 10 come, let us deal shrewdly with them, lest they multiply, and it happen, in the event of war, that they also join our enemies and fight against us, and so go up out of the land.” 11 Therefore, they set taskmasters over them to afflict them with their burdens. And they built supply cities for Pharaoh, Pithom and Raamses. 12 But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew. And they were in dread of the children of Israel. 13 So the Egyptians made the children of Israel serve with rigour. 14 And they made their lives bitter with hard bondage — in mortar, in brick, and in all manner of service in the field. All their service in which they made them serve was with rigour.
Under the old king(s) of Egypt during the time of Joseph, his brothers, and that generation, the children of Israel were favoured by Pharaoh, who knew Joseph, his brothers, and all that generation.
Let’s examine how the future landscape of the children of Israel changed after the old king of Egypt, Pharaoh, was no longer in power. The Bible states in Exodus 1:8 that a new king arose in Egypt who did not know Joseph.
Who was this new Pharaoh? He became the king of Egypt after the generation of Joseph, his brothers, and everyone from that era had died. This new king didn’t know Joseph (see Acts 7:18).
Maybe this new king didn’t really know the history of a great Hebrew man named Joseph, or was dismissive of what he knew about Joseph’s past service to Egypt — how he saved Egypt from a devastating famine because of his hatred of Joseph’s people, the Hebrews.
It could also relate to his ignorance of Joseph’s position and authority as second-in-command under Pharaoh during his tenure, and how God made Joseph a father to Pharaoh, a lord of all his house, and a ruler throughout the land of Egypt (see Genesis 45:8).
Genesis 45:8 (NKJV) 8 So now it was not you who sent me here, but God; and He has made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt.
When was the new Pharaoh? It was before and around the time Moses was born (see Acts 7:20). This new king, who began enslaving the children of Israel, was already reigning before Moses was born, because his policies were in place, and it was his daughter who raised Moses.
Why did this new Pharaoh act as he did? Two reasons can be stated: fear and hatred that stems from jealousy. The new king of Egypt, out of fear, saw the children of Israel as a potential threat to the nation. We could believe false reasons are used to manipulate the masses into backing his fearful decisions and actions against the children of Israel, seeking their approval with future fake news and gaining support for his fear-driven and hateful conduct.
Exodus 1:9–10 (NKJV) And he said to his people, “Look, the people of the children of Israel are more and mightier than we; 10 lest they multiply, and it happen, in the event of war, that they also join our enemies and fight against us, and so go up out of the land
This new king speculated out of fear that the children of Israel might betray them. When war breaks out, the king worries that the children of Israel might join forces with Egypt’s enemies to fight against them, rather than fight on their side or abandon the land.
What did this new Pharaoh do? Now, let’s look at some of the actions of this new king of Egypt, Pharaoh, against the children of Israel. Keep in mind that the wicked acts of the new king of Egypt against the children of Israel will serve God’s purpose, as it was prophesied to Abraham about the suffering and servitude of his people (see Gen. 16:13).
- This new king rallied his people against the children of Israel out of fear because the children of Israel were many and mightier than the Egyptians in their own land. Indeed, God increased the children of Israel, not only that, but also made them stronger than the Egyptians (see Psalms 105:24). The Egyptians were afraid of the children of Israel.
- This new king united his people to deal shrewdly (cunning self-interest or craftiness, often with malicious intent) and treacherously with the children of Israel, driven by the new king of Egypt’s fear and hatred for them. He devised evil schemes to oppress the children of Israel (see Psalms 105:25; Acts 7:19).
- This new king of Egypt and the Egyptians appointed taskmasters who were chiefs of tribute or works. They were in their positions in delegating work and reporting. The taskmasters were to oversee, supervise, and carry out the king’s wicked commands against the children of Israel. One of Pharaoh’s orders to the taskmasters was to oppress and burden the children of Israel with heavy loads that would cause them to cry as they built for Pharaoh’s supply cities, Pithom and Rameses (see Exodus 3:7; Numbers 20:15; Acts 7:19).
- This new king of Egypt and the Egyptians imposed harsh conditions on the children of Israel — extreme demands designed to make their lives bitter through harsh bondage as they worked in mortar, brick, and various field services, all to ensure their labour was rigorous and difficult to break and crush them physically and mentally.
Exodus 1:12 (NKJV) 12 But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew. And they were in dread of the children of Israel.
The more the Egyptians dealt shrewdly and treacherously, afflicted, oppressed, mistreated, and laid heavy burdens on the children of Israel (see Deuteronomy 26:6), the more they multiplied and grew. Such decrees and acts of Pharaoh and the Egyptians could not stop the children of Israel from becoming many and mighty.
We can learn that in times of affliction and persecution, the positive takeaways from them can strengthen a people, a nation, a church, or a family. Characters are being refined and nurtured in demanding circumstances where resilience, courage, perseverance, patience, longsuffering, and faith are exercised beyond measure.
The more the affliction, the greater the blessing. Persecution against the church, just like against the children of Israel, causes the church to grow (see Acts 2:13,41; 4; 5; Acts 7:54 — Acts 8:3; 9:21). During times of affliction, oppression, and persecution, God’s purpose is served, and His power is at work to strengthen His people, making blessings and prosperity evident.
The Slaughter of the Children of Israel: Male Infanticide
Satan has been trying to kill the woman’s seed (see Genesis 3:15; Romans 16:20 and this time around used Pharaoh to attempt to destroy God’s kingdom plan, knowing that through the children of Israel, the seed who is the coming Messiah could bruise his head.
The covenant of Abraham and the coming of the Messiah are based on Abraham’s lineage and that of his descendants, as the covenant’s promises hinge on it — Christ had to be born under the Abrahamic covenant. This was a deliberate attempt by the devil to prevent Christ from coming among the Children of Israel.
Saving the girls and killing the boys. This new king is not worried about allowing the daughters of the children of Israel to live, but his primary concern is about the sons of the children who are potentially and possibly capable of fighting, just in case anything happens. So basically, the girls were not the threat; the boys were. Saving girls when they grow up will also be forced to marry Egyptians.
Why the killing of the male newborn? Because these babies will grow up to be strong and capable men. Men are needed to protect a nation. Men are seen as threats in battle and in the workforce. Might join forces with enemies to fight Pharaoh and Egypt. An essential part of Egypt’s economy, this new king could not afford to ignore them.
Aborting a destiny refers to ending the lives of children. Abort means to prematurely terminate something because of a problem or fault, which can now be done through medical procedures and self-inflicted means.
The type of abortion discussed here targets male children, a practice known as male infanticide. The king of Egypt attempted two methods: one was through abortion at the moment of birth of a male child, and the other involved abandoning a male newborn to die in the river.
Exodus 1:15–16 (NKJV) 5 Then the king of Egypt spoke to the Hebrew midwives, of whom the name of one was Shiphrah and the name of the other Puah; 16 and he said, “When you do the duties of a midwife for the Hebrew women, and see them on the birthstools, if it is a son, then you shall kill him; but if it is a daughter, then she shall live.
Abortion at the moment of birth, when midwives are responsible during delivery, involves immediately determining the gender and killing male babies while allowing female babies to live.
The midwives, who were the head midwives in Israel responsible for overseeing and reporting on childbirth operations, were directly addressed by the king of Egypt as representatives of other midwives to communicate with them and carry out the king’s command nationwide.
Exodus 1:22 (NKJV) 22 So Pharaoh commanded all his people, saying, “Every son who is born you shall cast into the river, and every daughter you shall save alive.”
When the attempt to abort the male newborns of the children of Israel failed, the new king ordered all the Egyptians to go after the boys and throw them into the River Nile to be drowned or eaten by sea creatures. This is where the abandonment of the male newborn played a role. Abandonment, referring in this context to completely forsaking a child and leaving them alone to be drowned or eaten in the River Nile.
The new king’s decree that every newborn son be cast into the river means exposing the babies to death by drowning, or being eaten by alligators, wild sea animals, or other creatures (see Acts 7:19). Pharaoh’s new decree now extends beyond the Hebrews to all Egyptians, instructing them to carry out this task instead of relying on the Hebrew midwives. He commands that all male Hebrew infants be thrown into the Nile at birth.
The Salvation of the Children of Israel: The Two Hebrew Midwives, Mose’s Biological Mother, Sister & Adoptive Mother: The Daughter of Pharaoh
Aiding destiny in this context means saving children’s lives and supporting them in fulfilling their life’s purpose. Aid refers to a person or thing that provides help or assistance to those who are most weak, innocent, and vulnerable, such as children for example.
Exodus 1:17 (NKJV) 17 But the midwives feared God, and did not do as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the male children alive.
The Salvation of the Children of Israel from Abortion.
The two Hebrew midwives, named Shiphrah and Puah, because of their fear of God and their courageous act of standing up against Pharaoh, saved the lives of all the Israelite male children to allow the descendants of Israel to continue to live — despite the new Egyptian king’s decree to abort male newborns at birth — by faithfully performing their roles as midwives, whose duty is to assist women in childbirth, not to kill their babies. They understood that the murder of innocent lives is an act of sin and outright wickedness.
Their defiance of Pharaoh’s order and obedience to God showed whose side they were on. They feared God more than the king of Egypt and were even willing to risk their lives to save God’s people and uphold God’s covenant of nationhood so it could continue and flourish.
Just as we can experience God’s blessings during times of persecution and oppression, we can also encounter God’s power when civil disobedience is permitted against authorities and positions that oppose God. Yes, Christians are called and commanded to pray and respect those in power and positions of authority (see Rom. 13:1–7; 1 Tim. 2:1–2; 1 Pet. 2:13–17), but when the government’s decrees and demands contradict the Lord’s, we have the right to engage in civil disobedience (Dan. 3:6; Acts 4–5).
Exodus 1:20–21 (NKJV) 20 Therefore God dealt well with the midwives, and the people multiplied and grew very mighty. 21 And so it was, because the midwives feared God, that He provided households for them.
As a result of the actions of the two Hebrew midwives, Shiphrah and Puah, they feared God. God blessed their household and provided for them.
The fear of God and obedience to God can lead to His blessings. When you do the right thing, you will receive a reward in this life or the next.
The Salvation of a Hebrew Child from Abandonment
Three women mentioned in the Bible entered history to protect and ensure a future deliverer for a nation in bondage. Moses’s biological mother, sister, and adoptive mother each played crucial roles in saving the life of the baby Moses, a newborn male child, during the new Egyptian king’s decree to kill all male infants.
Moses’s mother tried to hide him, but she could no longer conceal him. Her strategic courage, exercised through faith and action, paves the way for a child of purpose to enter a palace — destined to become a leader who will someday deliver his own people.
The adoptive mother of Moses, Pharaoh’s daughter, saw the baby, and her compassion was so strong that it overrode a royal command from her father, the new king.
Moses, who was raised in the palace of Egypt by Pharaoh’s daughter, would become the future deliverer and liberator of the people oppressed by the new king of Egypt.
Conclusion
To prevent the children of Israel from becoming a many and mighty nation, the new king of Egypt, Pharaoh, imposes forced labour and restricts their population growth.
The opposition of this new king to the children of Israel becoming numerous and mighty is threefold: forcing vigorous labour to drain their strength and cause fatigue, instructing the midwives to kill male infants at birth, and issuing a public decree to drown Hebrew male infants in the Nile River.
The common theme here is fear, as the passage is dominated by it — fear of the king, Pharaoh. The Egyptians also feared the children of Israel, but the Hebrew midwives did not fear Pharaoh; instead, they had the right fear of God. Even though Pharaoh was regarded as a god, it was of no concern to these two Hebrew midwives, who knew the God of their ancestors — Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob — the God of all creation and covenants.
These two Hebrew women, who led all the other midwives, along with Moses’s mother and sister, and Pharaoh’s daughter, played vital roles in God’s plan to preserve the nation of Israel and safeguard a child destined to become Israel’s future deliverer from Egypt. This story sets the stage for God’s call on Moses as a baby, highlighting that this child was destined for greatness and was well-pleasing to God.
The lessons we can learn from the two midwives, Moses’s biological mother, sister, and adoptive mother, Pharaoh’s daughter, are:
- Fear of God: We see the fear of God displayed by the two midwives, Shiphrah and Puah, as they defied the Egyptian king’s decree to kill male infants. The fear of God is shown in their obedience to God rather than to men, and in listening to God rather than to the king.
- Faith in God: We see the faith in God from Moses’s biological mother and sister. Moses’s mother believed that God would protect baby Moses from wild sea creatures as she built an ark, hoping it would be found by the king’s daughter, and it was. She trusted and hoped in God that the child would be returned to her care.
- Favour of God: We see the favour of God in Pharaoh’s daughter’s compassion when she saw baby Moses crying and took responsibility for caring for him, ensuring his well-being. She raised him in the palace of the new King, who had intended to kill baby Moses all along.
Fear God and fight for your destiny because that destiny could be your deliverance and the deliverance of others that God may use you in the future. Don’t kill your destiny; instead, keep your destiny alive within you and others.
Contributor: Brahim M. Kallon (Wisdom Grace)
