In today’s first reading we continue the story of the infant Moses. Pharaoh’s first tactic to enslave the Israelites did not diminish their numbers. The follow-on tactic was to demand that the Hebrew midwives kill all Hebrew male babies (but not female babies, Ex 1:17) as they are born. Ironically, Pharaoh sees no threat from Israelite females, yet it is females (the midwives) who are the very ones who begin Pharaoh’s undoing. The midwives’ vocation from God is to preserve and protect life. Pharaoh demands that they deny their vocation and kill. In the Bible’s first act of civil disobedience and nonviolent resistance for the sake of justice, the midwives refuse to obey Pharaoh’s deathly command. They lie to the authorities, breaking the law for the sake of justice and life. They explain to Pharaoh that the Hebrew women just give birth too quickly before we can arrive (v.19). It is in this time frame that Moses is born. Continue reading →