Several years ago Reader’s Digest published an anecdote about a man who was interviewing for the position of night watchman at an art museum. The interview seemed to go well until the interviewer asked, “If a fire would break out in the museum, which work of art would you save?” The applicant thought for a moment and responded, “The one closest to the exit!”

I can’t honestly say I would have responded much differently. Fear has a way of eliminating competing priorities and helping us focus on a singular objective. In the face of genuine fear, the single goal that often emerges is one of self-preservation. Fear as a motivating factor is woven throughout Exodus 1:8-22.

“Then a new king, who did not know about Joseph, came to power in Egypt” (v. 8). This simple sentence provides a dramatic transition for God’s people Israel.

Joseph had ascended to power by displaying great skill in administration, organization, and leadership. The Pharaoh of his era placed great trust in Joseph. God blessed Joseph’s faithfulness and ultimately used Joseph’s wisdom and insight to sustain the nation of Egypt and rescue his family during a great famine. Pharaoh is pleased with Joseph and provides a place within his kingdom for Joseph and his family to reside. In Genesis 47:6 Pharaoh tells Joseph, “Settle your father and your brothers in the best part of the land.”

The provisions Pharaoh makes for Joseph and his brothers create the perfect conditions for them to flourish in the land. Exodus opens with a genealogical record and a census report noting Jacob’s descendents number 70. Exodus 1:7 says, “But the Israelites were fruitful and multiplied greatly and became exceedingly numerous, so that the land was filled with them.” God’s covenant promise to Abraham in Genesis 15 is being fulfilled.

A New Ruler
This growth does not escape the notice of a new king who comes to power in Egypt. We don’t know all the details concerning this new ruler. Scholars and commentators are somewhat divided over his origins. It is possible this king represents a foreign power that has seized control over Egypt. Others believe it may have been a change in power within Egypt.

Whatever the circumstance, the descendants of Jacob lose favor. The new king perceives them as a threat and liability. According to Exodus 1:10, the king’s fears are twofold. First, he fears this vast people might align with his enemies and fight against him. Second, he is afraid of losing a large workforce. He responds to these fears with a strategic plan to slow their numerical growth. The elements of the plan involve harsh labor and oppression.

This plan does not succeed. Instead, Exodus 1:12 notes, “The more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied.” So the king takes a more direct approach to population control. The Pharaoh instructs two midwives, Shiphrah and Puah, to kill all of the male infants as they are being born. In repeated acts of civil disobedience, the midwives allow the baby boys to live. The motivation for their actions is in verse 17: “The midwives . . . feared God.” God blesses Shiphrah and Puah for their faithfulness by giving them families of their own.

His Fears—And Ours
It is interesting to consider the “fears” present in this passage.

Pharaoh appears to be motivated by a fear of loss. He is afraid of losing a valuable asset and ultimately afraid of losing his kingdom. Driven by self-preservation, Pharaoh is willing to use any and all means necessary, including murder, to negate a potential future danger. Human life is sacrificed on the altar of self-interest. The story has been repeated inestimable times throughout human history and continues today.

In contrast, the Hebrew midwives place themselves in mortal danger because they fear God more than human power and authority. The women hold God in higher esteem than their own lives.

We are faced with the competing agendas every day of our lives: self-sacrifice versus self-interest. The resolution of this conflict might involve answering a couple of questions: “Whom will we fear?” and “What do we value most?”

Consider two verses: In Luke 9:24 Jesus says, “For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it.” And Psalm 27:1 says, “The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?”

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* All Scripture quotations are from the New International Version, unless otherwise indicated.