There’s been much discussion lately about civil disobedience. When is it right to disobey the laws of our land? Shouldn’t we obey EVERY ordinance set forth by our lawgivers? The simple answer is “no.” Here we have an example of “proper” civil disobedience provided by two women in scripture.
1. An unjust law
Ex. 1:15-17 “And the king of Egypt spake to the Hebrew midwives, of which the name of the one was Shiphrah, and the name of the other Puah: And he said, When ye do the office of a midwife to the Hebrew women, and see them upon the stools; if it be a son, then ye shall kill him: but if it be a daughter, then she shall live.”
2. A Biblical response
“But the midwives feared God, and did not as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the men children alive.”
LESSON - These women knew that it was wrong to kill babies (I wish America understood this)! They had not yet received the 10 Commandments. Their conscience alone was all they needed to make the right decision (Rom. 2:15) and their motivation was fear of (holy reverence for) God! Our nation has established many laws and we should obey them provided they do not violate God’s word. But as our society becomes more secular and hostile toward the things of God, remember to whom your first allegiance should be. Dan. 3:16-18 “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter. If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up”
~Mike