Text: Exodus 1:11-22
Topic: How the fear of God should enter into our decision-making

Introduction:
• The Exodus story does not begin with Moses.
• Pharaoh instructs the midwives to kill all the male Hebrew babies.

Oppressors fear the people they oppress.
• The midwives were slaves, under legal authority of Pharaoh.
• The midwives refuse the order and were summoned by Pharaoh for an explanation.
• The midwives did not lie; they answered Pharaoh recognizing he was less powerful than God.

We need to take the fear of God seriously.
• God is more than just our friend—he is our judge as well.
• Without fear of God, our decisions are motivated by self-gain.

The courage of the midwives came from two sources.
• They were convinced there was a God to whom they would give account.
• They drew courage from each other.