Protectors of the Innocent

Ephesians 6:14 So stand with the belt of truth around your waist, justice as your breastplate. (CEB)

          Joseph, son of Jacob, had become a ruler in Egypt after experiencing years of difficulty, having been sold into slavery, by his brothers. Despite his situation, God blessed Joseph’s hands with everything that he did and Egypt was consequently blessed because of him. During the time that Joseph was in prison, due to being falsely accused of a crime that he didn’t commit, God gave Pharaoh a dream concerning a famine that would come to the land. This served as a warning, so that he could prepare and store up food prior to the drought. Due to Joseph interpreting the dream for Pharaoh, he placed Joseph as ruler under him in order for Joseph to make the necessary preparations for Egypt to survive what was to come. As a result, Egypt and other countries were saved from starvation that could have been a result of the drought. 

            Unfortunately, another Pharaoh came to power who did not know the history of what Joseph had done, nor did he serve the true God. He feared that the Israelites were growing by the numbers and that they would soon overpower the Egyptians or side with an opposing nation who would come up against them. Therefore, he came up with a plan to rectify what he considered as a problem.  He had his servants to enslave the Israelites and make their lives miserable. Despite his efforts, the Israelites continued to grow in numbers. Pharaoh then came up with the plan to murder any newborn male babies that the Hebrew women would have. He ordered the midwives, Shiphrah and Puah, who helped to deliver the Hebrew women’s babies, to kill all of the male babies upon delivery. Exodus 1:16 When you help the Hebrew women in childbirth and observe them on the delivery stool, if it is a boy, kill him; but if it is a girl, let her live. (NIV) However, the midwives defied Pharaoh’s orders by not doing such an evil deed. 
 

             
             The midwives had a reverence for God and when Pharaoh questioned their defiance, they told him that by the time they arrived to help deliver the babies, the Hebrew women had already delivered. They refused to kill any of the male babies and therefore, God blessed them to be able to have families of their own. They were protectors of the innocent for God hates the shedding of innocent blood. Proverbs 6:16-17 ⁽¹⁶⁾There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him: ⁽¹⁷⁾haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood…(NIV)

            When the Apostle Paul spoke of truth and wearing the breastplate of righteousness that also means that we must be defenders of the innocent. We are to protect those who are unable to defend themselves, We must stand up for right and ensure justice is not tarnished by wickedness.Isaiah 1:17 Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow. (NIV) God does not take pleasure in the sufferings of the defenseless and we as warriors are called to ensure that such injustices do not take place. We are to speak up against wrong when it is popular and when it’s not. When the majority agrees and when they don’t. We must defend the cause of God at all times and never allow the worldly pressure to conform allow us to lower our Godly standards. 2 Timothy 4:2 Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage--with great patience and careful instruction. (NIV) Never compromise, but defend the innocent and stand for God.