Authority

Last night Pastor chose verses from the first two chapters of Exodus to close our Mothers Day recognition, speaking to us of Moses and the care his mother took to save his life. The actions of the Hebrew midwives caught my attention.

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. But the midwives feared God, and did not as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the men children alive. [Exodus 1:15-17 KJV]

The actions of theses two women went against the highest authority, negating another verse we’ve been given.

Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. [Romans 13:1 KJV]

Is there a conflict between the two situations? Should Shiphrah and Puah have subjected themselves to the king of Egypt because God allowed him to rule?

There are those today who would say we must follow all the laws of our land, except the ones with which the speaker disagrees, and those disagreements are many. A pharmacist does not wish to be involved in the transactions of RU482, but loses the job because they discriminated. An illegal immigrant is sheltered from INS, though their status is described by the word “illegal.” An abortionist is killed by a church member – which one is guilty of breaking the commandment “Thou shalt not kill”? [Exodus 20:13, Deuteronomy 5:17, Matthew 5:21-22]

When there appears to be conflict within God’s word, spend more time with it, placing each verse in context, then follow what God has laid out for His people. The answers lie within His Word.

But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. [Acts 4:19 KJV]

When authority, higher powers, conflict with God’s word, each of us must judge our own actions – do we listen to mankind or God?

How can we listen to God if we don’t speak to Him? Jesus gave us the examples in word [Matthew 6:9-13] and in deed [Matthew 26:39-44.]

Paul tells us we can ask God for anything.

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. [Philippians 4:6 KJV]

We are not promised that all our prayers will result in what we want, but we are promised a result for the asking.

And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. [Philippians 4:7 KJV]