Problem: The Bible teaches that we should submit to the government, because they are given as an authority of God (Rom. 13:1; Titus 3:1; 1 Pet. 2:13). It also speaks against lying (Prov. 12:22). And yet, when the midwives lied to Pharaoh and disobeyed him (Ex. 1:17), God blessed them (Ex. 1:20-21).
Solution: This moral dilemma was unavoidable. Therefore, they had no choice but to disobey in one way or another. Either they could lie, or they could commit murder. Since God obviously commands us not to murder (Ex. 20:13), both actions are wrong. In this case, the midwives were obligated to choose the higher good. Saving lives is ethically greater than obeying government. Peter and John chose to preach the gospel, rather than obey the human government (Acts 4:19; 5:29). Likewise, Jesus taught prioritized ethics, when he allowed his disciples to eat on the Sabbath, and he healed on the Sabbath (Mt. 12:1-12; Mk. 2:27-28). In the same way, we are told to honor our parents (Eph. 6:1), but we need to honor God above our parents (Mt. 10:37). For a modern example of Christian civil disobedience, consider Corrie ten Boom. She was a Dutch Christian who helped Jews to escape during World War II.
“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. And the king of Egypt called for the midwives, and said unto them, Why have ye done this thing, and have saved the men children alive? And the midwives said unto Pharaoh, Because the Hebrew women are not as the Egyptian women; for they are lively, and are delivered ere the midwives come in unto them. Therefore God dealt well with the midwives: and the people multiplied, and waxed very mighty. And it came to pass, because the midwives feared God, that he made them houses.
(Ex 1:15-21)”
