A true story was told of Walter McMillian, a black man convicted and sentenced to death for the murder of a white woman in Monroeville, Alabama. It was 1986, an 18-year-old white woman named Ronda Morrison was murdered and the crime sent shock waves of fear and anger through the small community. The police could not solve the crime and after six months without any leads or suspects, they convicted Walter McMillian. He had no prior criminal history, but his affair with a married white woman which resulted in her divorce with her husband brought him unnecessary attention. Consequently, a white man accused of crimes in another county was pressured by the police and made false statements accusing McMillian of murdering Morrison. McMillian was arrested by the county Sheriff and eventually charged with capital murder. His trial lasted for only a day and a half. Three witnesses testified against McMillian and the jury ignored multiple other black alibi witnesses, who were with him at a church gathering at the time of the crime. The trial judge sentenced McMillian to death. The systemic racial discrimination has oppressed the black minorities, denying them a voice, and rendering them powerless and hopeless.

Bryan Stevenson, a lawyer took on the case to appeal his death sentence. He did his investigations and discovered much evidence to prove that McMillian was innocent. In the six years of appeal, he faced resistance from the police, the white residents in town, and even death threats, asking him to stop any investigations of this black man. Finally, through Stevenson’s fearless and persistent appeal, McMillian was found innocent and was released after 6 years. Justice was returned to the innocent man because of the conviction of a lawyer who fought for a poor and innocent man.

In the same way, the story of Exodus started off with the oppression of a powerful Egyptian Pharoah in the seeming absence of God. He was fearful of the growing size of Israel. He enslaved the people, and every newborn male was ordered to be killed to keep Israel under his control. Just like McMillian, the people of Israel were helpless under the regime of this powerful and wicked King who had no love and compassion for them.

Despite the oppression, there was a group of women who did not bow to Pharoah. Shiphrah and Puah (midwives) feared God rather than Pharaoh, disobeying the king of Egypt (1:17). Jochebed (Moses’ mother) disobeyed the orders of Pharaoh by keeping the baby for three months and when she could no longer hide her baby, she float her baby in a basket on the Nile river in hope that God will save her son. (2:1-3). Miriam (Moses’ sister) stood watch over the baby and when she saw that Pharoah’s daughter took baby Moses in, she took the risk of negotiating for her mum to raise Moses (2:7-8). Pharaoh’s daughter knew the decree that her father made, but she changed the course of history by defying her father and rescuing a helpless Hebrew baby from his death sentence.

Pharoah’ daughter named the baby - Moses, “Because, she drew him out of the water.” It was a name that reflected the significance of her role in the exodus story. As she drew Moses out of the water, she has acted in obedience to God who will draw Israel out of Egypt through Moses (2:10). All these women knew the result of their disobedience, they would face the wrath of an angry and powerful man who can easily put them to death. However they chose to do what was right before God and man. These women who acted in obedience played an important role in God’s redemptive plan for the Israelites.

It is the same reminder for us as well, that we do not need to be any important or powerful characters to make impact for Christ. Just like the women in Exodus 1 and 2, Christ calls us to simply live our lives in submission to Him. We are called to make faith decisions daily with the purpose of pleasing God and loving men. This means that even when we face persecution or oppression, we do not bow down to the pressures of gaining the favours of men. What challenge are you facing that requires you to choose God over your circumstances? It might be sacrificing church worship because of financial pressures of having to work on the Lord’s Day, or succumbing to someone that is against the teaching of God’s word? Do we overlook people around us whom we can help because of the position we are in? Would you obey God in the oppressions or challenges we face in our environment? Would you take the faith step to please God in this coming new year? May God help us to submit to His will and desires!

Dear God, in face of oppression and challenging days in our lives, especially those days when you are seemingly absent, would you help us to trust and submit to you, to stay through to your teachings to love you and to love the people around us. In Jesus name we pray, Amen.