Beyond Sunday: Only One Fear

[Editor's note: Beyond Sunday is a Monday refresher to carry you through the week.]

Focus Verse of the Week

The midwives, however, feared God and did not do what the king of Egypt had told them to do; they let the boys live. (Exodus 1:17)

Classic Commentary

The Hebrew midwives were probably Hebrews themselves(for surely Pharaoh could never expect they should be so barbarous to those of their own nation), but were generally made use of by the Hebrews. Being Egyptians, Pharaoh hoped to prevail with them. However, note their pious disobedience to this impious command. They feared God, regarded his law, and dreaded his wrath more than Pharaoh's and therefore saved the men-children alive. If men's commands be any way contrary to the commands of God, we must obey God and not man (Acts 4:19). No power on earth can warrant us, much less oblige us, to sin against God, our chief Lord. Where the fear of God rules in the heart, it will preserve it from the snare which the inordinate fear of man brings.

The enemies of the church have been restless in their endeavours to wear out the saints of the Most High, Daniel 7:25. But he that sits in heaven shall laugh at them. See Psalms 2:4.

(Adapted from Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible, Exodus 1:15-22)

A Thought to Keep

We choose to fear God or to fear man every day in little ways. Do you have a holy fear today?