Today’s sermon in our COURAGEOUS series explores the quiet but powerful courage it takes to say no in the face of injustice. Centering on the story of the Egyptian midwives, Shiphrah and Puah, we reflect on how these women defied Pharaoh’s violent command to kill Hebrew baby boys. Their refusal was an act of resistance grounded in reverence for God and resulted in the safe birth of baby Moses! Though seemingly powerless in the eyes of empire, their bravery saved lives and subverted evil from within, showing us that sometimes the most courageous action is not what we do, but what we refuse to do.
In a world that demanded silence and obedience, these women chose compassion, truth, and bold action. From these hidden heroes we learn that courage isn’t always loud; it often looks like protecting the vulnerable, disrupting unjust systems, and standing firm in faith when fear says otherwise. Their example challenges us to ask: where in our world is God calling us to say no for the sake of justice, mercy, and hope?