(The first recorded Biblical nonviolent direct action)


Call to Worship:
    L:         Lift up your hearts
    P:        We lift them up to the Lord
    L:         The Lord be with you
    P:        And also with you
    
Song:
    "God Give Us Power"

Scripture:
    Exodus 1:7-14; Acts 7:17-19 - A People Oppressed

Reader:
    The Egyptians, once slaves of the Israelites were now the enslavers of two million people and growing.  Even severe oppression by the authorities could not stop the multiplication. Unfortunately, oppression continues since the l3th century BC:  Palestinians, those in Chiapas, Africa, the poor in North America, etc.

Scripture:
    Exodus 1:15-16 - A King's Command

Reader:
    Pharaoh, fearful of their strength, devised an abhorrent scheme to resolve the birth dilemma: he ordered destruction of all newborn Hebrew males.  (Female children seemingly posed no threat.)  The slaughter of the innocents continued after the birth of Jesus; it continues with the 40,000 children who died within the last 24 hours.

Scripture:
    Exodus 1:17 - Divine Obedience for Life

Reader:
    The authorities hadn't counted on the faith of ordinary, God-fearing women.  Brute power did not deter Puah and Shiphrah from allegiance to a higher power.  In their discernment they surely weighed the cost, realizing that by their disobedience they might be risking their own lives.  Or perhaps, as they listened to the inner voice, their consciences led them to obey a higher law – at any price.  At any rate, these midwives and their followers tenderly caught all children as they entered the world and let them live.

Dramatization:
    Puah:            This time Pharaoh has come down with a biggie!
    Shiphrah:    I know.  He wants to Kill!  Imagine that.  Remember all those babies we helped bring into the world?  Must be hundreds.
    Puah:            Right.  Our work is to save life.  All human life is sacred, especially when they are helpless.
    Shiphrah:    What if we don't obey that evil law.  Do you think Pharaoh will kill us for that?
    Puah:            Yeah, probably we're taking a huge risk.  But my conscience says NO to this unjust law and YES to life.
    Shiphrah:    Mine too.  No matter what the consequences, I will not kill those newborn baby boys either.

Scripture:
    Exodus 1:18-22 - Responses


Reader:
        When summoned before the authorities, their daring shrewdness paid off.  Their non-violent direct action (NVDA), their civil disobedience (CD), their divine obedience (DO) may have been indirectly applauded by Jesus centuries later when in the four Gospels, he counsels dependence on the Advocate, when witnessing to truth in the presence of principalities and powers [Matt 10:16-20, etc.]  Amazingly, Pharaoh didn't take vengeance upon the defiant midwives.  Rather, God preserved them, blessing them with families.
        CPT Story:  When Christian Peacemakers in Hebron, West Bank were ordered by the Israeli Defense Force (IDF) at a military check point to leave, they stayed.  Instead, CPTer Wendy Lehman called the police to report yet another injustice toward Palestinian women.  Hannah and Lena were barred by barbed wire for nearly two cold hours from returning to their home.  Dianne immediately sat down by the obstruction and took pictures.  Hedy stood and embraced the five year old daughter, Wisam, who was traumatized by what she saw.  Eventually the women were freed.

Reflections

Prayer:
    Naming of oppressors and oppressed; Communal response – "Lord, have mercy."

Song:
    "God Give Us Power"

Credit: Joyce Holliday, Clothed with the Sun, pp. 93-94.