Skip to Main Content
Women of the ELCA
  • Donate
  • Shop
  • Tools For Leaders
  • Publications
  • Daily Grace
  • Contact
  • Ministry & Action
    • Discipleship
    • Justice
      • Human Trafficking
      • Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women
      • Racial Justice Advocacy
      • Racial Justice Advocacy Network resources
      • Domestic Violence
    • Membership
    • Stewardship
      • Thankofferings
      • Faithful Friends
      • Katie’s Fund
      • Gift Planning
    • Special Initiatives
      • Rachel’s Day
      • Raising Up Healthy Women & Girls
    • Scholarships
      • Lutheran laywomen
      • Lutheran Ordained Ministry
  • Resources
  • About
    • History
    • Executive Board
    • Staff
    • Get Involved
  • Events
  • Belong
  • Donate
  • Shop
  • Tools For Leaders
  • Publications
  • Daily Grace
  • Contact
« Back to All Daily Grace

Disobedience can be a holy choice

11.19.2021
|
Daily Grace

Pharoah underestimates the power of women – especially that of Shiphrah and Puah. The biblical story captures their bold decision in one sentence: “But the midwives feared God; they did not do as the king of Egypt demanded them, but they let the boys live” (Exodus 1:17). Following God’s way was more important to these midwives than following Pharoah’s way.

Shiphrah and Puah remind us that disobedience can be a holy choice. Just love sometimes demands defiance. When we know in our hearts that the mandates of the powerful will do harm, especially to the most vulnerable among us, God calls us to a different path. When unquestioning obedience leads to injustice, it’s time to try something else.

History is filled with examples of people who have defied orders of the powerful in support of the vulnerable. Those people chose to follow God’s way and reject the ways of human cruelty.

This excerpt is from the Bible study “Just Love” by Christa Compton and Gladys Moore in the July/August 2020 Gather Magazine.


If you enjoy this resource, Donate Now.

Share this post

Sign up for Daily Grace

Daily Grace is an on-the-go companion for your journey, offering a faith reflection every day. Encounter God’s extravagant, boundless and often surprising grace by signing up for a daily email message.

Back to home

8765 W. Higgins Rd.

Chicago IL 60631

800-638-3522

[email protected]

Stay In Touch

Sign up for the WELCA Newsletter

Explore WELCA
  • Ministry & Action
  • Daily Grace
  • Resource Library
  • Events
  • Blog
  • News
  • About WELCA
  • Tools For Leaders
  • Publications
  • Donate
  • Shop
  • Photos
Explore Publications

Bold Cafe

A Lutheran perspective for women of Christian faith or any woman who is interested in how faith relates to the issues facing women today.

Gather Magazine

A mix of articles, theological reflections, devotions and stories of comfort and challenge that help readers grow in faith.

Cafe Podcast

Subscribe to our podcast:

Click to subscribe

© Copyright 2025 Women of the ELCA. All Rights Reserved.
  • Privacy Policy
  • Sitemap
  • Contact
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • YouTube
© Copyright 2025 Women of the ELCA. All Rights Reserved.