Most Christians are familiar with Romans 13, which calls us to submit to governing authorities. But what happens when those authorities demand that we abandon our godly assignments or violate God’s Word?
The Midwives’ Defiance
In Exodus 1:16-20, Pharaoh gave a horrific decree: the Hebrew midwives were to kill all newborn boys. However, the midwives feared God more than they feared the King of Egypt. Because they chose to preserve life—directly opposing an ungodly command—God did not punish them. Instead, Exodus 1:20 tells us, "God dealt well with the midwives," and the people multiplied.
The Principle of Divine Priority
This isn't a "one-off" story; it is a biblical precedent. We see this echoed in the New Testament:
Acts 5:29: When ordered to stop preaching the Gospel, Peter and the apostles boldly declared, "We must obey God rather than men."
Application: Submission vs. Compliance
This principle applies beyond government—it extends to our personal lives and marriages.
A Crucial Distinction: Submission to authority (whether a government or a husband) is never a license to sin.
If a wife is faced with an abusive situation or a demand to participate in sexual sin—such as a threesome—she is not biblically required to comply. In fact, her "godly assignment" is to honor the sanctity of the marriage bed and her own body as a temple of the Holy Spirit. To refuse an ungodly demand is not "rebellion"; it is higher obedience to the King of Kings.
Final Thought
Christians are called to be model citizens and partners, but we are not called to blind submission. When human authority opposes divine law, our primary allegiance must always remain with God.
Reflection Questions:
Identifying the Line: In your own life, how do you distinguish between a "difficult" authority figure you are called to endure and an "ungodly" command you are required to resist?
The Cost of Conviction: The Hebrew midwives risked their lives to save the Israelite children. What is one area where you feel God calling you to stand firm, even if it carries a social or personal cost?
The "Fear of God" vs. "Fear of Man": Exodus 1 says the midwives thrived because they "feared God." How does focusing on God’s ultimate authority change the way you view the pressures of the world or the demands of others?