In the beginning, the devil deceived the woman in the garden of Eden, convincing her to eat of the forbidden tree (Genesis 3:1–6, Genesis 3:13; see also 1 Timothy 2:14). But here the tables have been turned. The serpent-like Pharaoh is deceived by the women; the deceiver has become the deceived. Not only does this give a sense of poetic justice but, more importantly, demonstrates God’s faithfulness to his word. In Genesis 3:15, God had said to the serpent, “I will put enmity between you and the woman.” That enmity is apparent in the actions and words of the midwives. (In light of Genesis 3:15, it is striking how God repeatedly uses women in Exodus 1:1 – 2:10 to frustrate Pharaoh’s plans—the midwives, Moses’ mother and sister, and even Pharaoh’s own daughter). Moreover, the midwives are not the only women in Scripture to use deception to outwit the enemies of God. Rahab hid the Israelite spies on her roof yet told Jericho’s men they had left the city (Joshua 2:3–7). And Jael offered refuge to Sisera, only to drive a tent peg through his head once he had fallen asleep (Judges 4:17–21).
19 The midwives said to Pharaoh, “Because the Hebrew women are not like the Egyptian women, for they are vigorous and give birth before the midwife comes to them.”