When I see someone’s name mentioned in the Bible, I pay attention. That’s because the Bible is not a blog. Moses didn’t grab his iphone out in the desert and type: Had manna for breakfast this morning. Eleazar wanted to sleep in, so he snagged an extra basketful yesterday. But when he woke up at noon today, it was full of maggots!!!! LOL. I guess God meant that daily bread thing.

No. It wasn’t like that. Instead, the true stories of God’s relationship with man were handed down from generation to generation until someone recorded them on scrolls or rocks or something. Every detail had to be breathed upon by the Holy Sprit and then repeated over and over. So, I’m intrigued by the fact that two women’s names survived the oral traditions.

Shiphrah and Puah were Hebrew midwives. That is not a job description that should get them into the Bible. Not like David’s Mighty Men or something. And yet…

The king of Egypt (Pharaoh) wanted to control the Hebrew slaves, and he was worried about their population explosion. So, he ordered the midwives to kill any baby boys at birth. The first legalization of partial-birth abortion, if you will.

But! The midwives wouldn’t do it.

Pharaoh believed their excuse about Hebrew women being “lively” and delivering before the midwives could get there. And God honored their stand. The Bible says He established households for them. And, He recorded their names. Forever.

I have never had to face such a serious moral dilemma. No one has ever ordered me to obey a man-made law that violates a God-ordained law. Even so, this November, I have a chance to follow the brave example of Shiphrah and Puah in my own small way.

When I walk into the voting booth of our little town, I will scan the names of candidates. I will review in my mind their voting records. And then, I will choose life.