When to disobey

“But the midwives feared God and did not as the king of Egypt commanded them…” Exodus 1v17

All through the New Testament God makes it clear that we are to obey the government. He tells us that to disobey is the face His judgement. We are to pray for our leaders and submit to their authority. Submission to authority is a key character trait for God’s people.

Here we find women who choose to disobey their government. Ordered by Pharaoh to murder all the male children of Israel as they are born they choose not to do so. This was a very serious decision. Disobeying Pharaoh could result in the death penalty. As it turns out God honours their decision to disobey the king.

What gives here? Surely God must set a double standard?

No, there is an answer. As the apostles told the government authorities when they were ordered to stop giving the gospel, “we ought to obey God rather than men.” In both of these cases there was a direct conflict between obeying God and obeying men. It was impossible to obey both so the choice was made to obey God. This is not a decision to be taken lightly. Government still has the power to punish those who choose to disobey their laws. Sometimes, however, it must be done. God does not support breaking the law, but when it must be done to obey God may He give us the strength to do so and be willing to suffer the human consequences for eternal reward.