In the rich tapestry of biblical history, certain figures stand out not for their fame but for their quiet acts of courage. Puah, a lesser-known yet remarkable woman, is one such figure. Alongside Shiphrah, she defied the orders of Pharaoh, choosing to save innocent lives rather than comply with a decree of death. Her story is brief but powerful, leaving readers to wonder about her faith and motivations.
Was Puah a Christian deliverer, or does her role transcend religious labels? While Christianity as a faith hadn’t yet emerged during her time, her actions resonate deeply with principles of compassion, justice, and courage that many associate with Christian values. Exploring her story offers a chance to reflect on the timeless nature of moral conviction and the strength it takes to stand up for what’s right, even in the face of great danger.
Historical Context Of Puah
The story of Puah is set in a turbulent period of ancient Egyptian history, a time when the Hebrews lived under oppressive conditions. Her actions, documented in the book of Exodus, reflect a pivotal moment of resistance and moral courage.
Who Was Puah?
Puah was a Hebrew midwife mentioned in Exodus 1:15-21, noted for defying Pharaoh’s command to kill Hebrew male infants at birth. Alongside Shiphrah, she risked her life to preserve the lives of innocent children. Scholars suggest Puah’s name reflects her Hebrew identity, meaning “splendid” or “brilliance.” Some traditions associate her with Jochebed, Moses’ mother, although the link remains speculative.
Role In The Biblical Narrative
Puah’s critical role lies in her choice to fear God over Pharaoh, prioritizing moral obedience above political authority. When questioned by Pharaoh, midwives attributed survival of Hebrew males to the vigor of Hebrew mothers (Exodus 1:19). By standing firm, Puah and Shiphrah preserved the lineage through which God’s covenant promise moved forward. Her faith-driven actions set the stage for the eventual rise of Moses as Israel’s deliverer.
Exploring The Term “Christian Deliverer”
Exploring The Term “Christian Deliverer”
The concept of a “Christian deliverer” sparks questions about figures like Puah, who demonstrated unwavering courage and moral strength. Though the term didn’t exist during Puah’s lifetime, examining its meaning helps clarify her legacy and connection to Christian values.
Understanding The Term “Christian”
The term “Christian” originates from followers of Jesus Christ, identified in Acts 11:26. It signifies those devoted to Christ’s teachings, such as love, mercy, and righteousness. Christianity began after Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection, distinguishing individuals aligning with His message.
Puah lived centuries before Christianity’s establishment. However, her fear of God and protection of innocent lives align with Christ-centered principles. Her actions reflect obedience, compassion, and justice, values prominent in both the Old and New Testaments.
Deliverance In A Biblical Sense
In the Bible, deliverance often refers to saving others from harm or oppression. Figures like Moses, Joseph, and even Jesus embody this theme, acting as vessels of God’s saving power. For example, Moses delivered the Hebrews from Egyptian slavery in Exodus, while Jesus provided spiritual deliverance through salvation.
Puah acted as a deliverer by saving Hebrew infants from death. Although not a formal “Christian” deliverer, her defiance of Pharaoh reflected trust in divine authority. For believers, her story demonstrates how God works through individuals to protect and fulfill His purposes.
In the book of Exodus, there’s a character who often goes unnoticed but left a significant mark—Puah. Her courage and faithfulness came during a time of brutal oppression when Pharaoh ordered the killing of all Hebrew baby boys. Alongside Shiphrah, she defied those commands, preserving life and honoring God. Why does her story still resonate today? And what can people learn from her example? Let’s dig into her actions, impact, and lessons for faith-filled living.
Analyzing Puah’s Actions
Puah’s courage wasn’t passive—it was active and deliberate. The law of the land, imposed by Pharaoh himself, demanded that Hebrew midwives kill all male newborns. But both Puah and Shiphrah feared God more than Pharaoh (Exodus 1:17). They chose to obey a higher authority, placing their trust in God rather than submitting to unjust commands.
When questioned by Pharaoh, they cleverly responded by attributing the survival of the male babies to the vigor of Hebrew women. This act not only protected countless lives but also revealed their wisdom and resourcefulness. Their faith outweighed their fear of potential consequences from human power.
Do modern believers approach challenges with the same boldness? Adam Phillips might point out that standing strong in faith often means making difficult decisions that align with God’s principles—even when risks are involved. Obedience like this isn’t always about a grand gesture; sometimes it’s about small, faithful choices that no one else may notice.
Impact On The Israelite Community
Puah’s defiance didn’t just stop at preserving lives—it had generational implications. By ensuring the survival of Hebrew boys, she and Shiphrah helped secure the future of the Israelites as a people. Without their bravery, Moses, who later delivered Israel from bondage, wouldn’t have been born. Exodus 1:20-21 notes that God blessed these women for their faithfulness, giving them families of their own.
For the Israelites, this act of deliverance echoed the hand of God’s protection over His people. It reminded them of His covenant, showing how He works through individuals to fulfill His promises. For generations, Puah’s choice would have stood as a beacon of integrity and faith in the face of tyranny.
Her story teaches that even when a situation seems overwhelming, a single act of faithfulness can have ripple effects far beyond what’s immediately visible. From saving lives to inspiring others, Puah’s actions encourage believers today to trust in God’s ultimate plan—even when the outcome isn’t apparent.
Puah’s life may not be one of the most celebrated in Scripture, but what she did demonstrates profound bravery and deep trust in God. As Adam Phillips might remind his youth groups, it’s not about earthly recognition but about eternal impact. Wouldn’t Puah’s story inspire anyone to act in faith, even when the odds seem stacked against them?
Was Puah A Christian Deliverer?
Puah’s story raises fascinating discussions about faith, obedience, and the nature of deliverance. While Christianity as a belief system didn’t exist during her time, her actions resonate deeply with values championed in the Bible. To understand this connection better, let’s explore the arguments that support her as a deliverer and alternative perspectives that challenge this view.
Arguments Supporting The Claim
Puah demonstrated extraordinary courage and moral integrity. According to Exodus 1:17, she and Shiphrah “feared God and did not do as the king of Egypt commanded them, but let the male children live.” This decision was bold, given the stakes. By acknowledging God’s authority above Pharaoh’s, Puah directly contributed to the survival of Hebrew boys, including the future deliverer Moses. Her choice to prioritize divine principles—preserving life and rejecting unjust orders—aligns with values central to Christian teachings.
Her actions echo a Christ-centered understanding of deliverance. The Bible repeatedly highlights protecting the vulnerable as a divine mandate. Proverbs 31:8-9 calls for defending the voiceless and upholding the rights of the oppressed. Similarly, Jesus’ ministry emphasized compassion and justice, as seen in His own deliverance of the spiritually and physically oppressed (Luke 4:18-19). Puah’s lifesaving intervention places her within this broader framework of deliverance that reflects God’s heart for justice.
Many see her as a vessel of God’s will. If God directs human history to fulfill His covenant promises, Puah’s refusal to comply with Pharaoh’s murderous edict can be viewed as divinely inspired. Her obedience to God foreshadowed themes of faith and deliverance found in the New Testament, where individuals act under divine prompting to further God’s plans.
Counterarguments And Alternative Perspectives
Christianity didn’t emerge as a separate faith until after Jesus’ life and resurrection. Recognizing this historical context, it’s more accurate to describe Puah as a devout follower of Yahweh rather than a “Christian deliverer.” Some might argue that assigning Christian identity to her could blur distinctions between Old and New Testament frameworks of faith.
Critics might point to the collaborative nature of her work with Shiphrah. While Puah indeed played a key role in defying Pharaoh, their partnership suggests shared responsibility. This raises the question of whether deliverance should be viewed as a shared act rather than an individual title. Assigning such a title could inadvertently diminish Shiphrah’s equal involvement.
Her role wasn’t public or prophetic. Unlike Moses or other deliverers who publicly called for freedom, Puah operated quietly in her sphere of influence. This distinction might make her less of a deliverer in the traditional biblical sense. Instead, her contribution represents faithful obedience in smaller yet significant ways.
Puah’s story challenges readers to reflect on the different ways God works through individuals. Whether seen as a deliverer or a faithful servant, her actions highlight the power of trust in God to overcome fear and injustice.
Conclusion
Puah’s story is a powerful reminder of the courage it takes to stand for what is right, even when the stakes are life and death. Her unwavering faith and moral strength continue to inspire, showing how one act of obedience to God can ripple through history.
While debates about her role as a “Christian deliverer” may persist, her actions undeniably align with timeless values of justice, compassion, and faith. Puah’s legacy encourages believers to trust in God’s plan and to act boldly in the face of fear, knowing that even quiet, faithful acts can shape the future.
