The men in Exodus get most of the attention.
Moses parts the sea.
Pharaoh causes drama.
Everybody’s yelling, plagues are flying everywhere, and things get very intense very quickly.
But before any sea was split… a group of brave women were already saving the story behind the scenes.
Honestly? Exodus starts because women refused to cooperate with evil.
The Big Idea of Exodus
Exodus is about deliverance.
God rescues the Israelites from slavery and begins forming them into a nation.
But something fascinating happens at the very beginning of the book:
Before the warriors, before the miracles, before the leadership…
Women step in first.
Hidden Women Highlights
Shiphrah & Puah – The Midwives Who Said “Absolutely Not”
The king of Egypt ordered Hebrew baby boys to be killed.
And these two midwives basically responded with:
“Mm… no.”
They quietly resisted one of the most powerful rulers in the world.
No army.
No title.
No dramatic speech.
Just courage.
And honestly? They may be some of the bravest women in Scripture.
Small side note: Pharaoh’s name fades into history in this passage… but the Bible records their names.
That feels intentional.
Jochebed – The Mother Who Let Go to Save Her Son
Imagine placing your baby into a basket on a river because keeping him hidden was no longer possible.
That was Jochebed.
Her story is quiet, but heartbreaking and powerful.
Sometimes faith doesn’t look fearless.
Sometimes it looks like doing the hardest thing imaginable and trusting God with the outcome.
Also… can we talk about how she waterproofed a basket well enough to survive the Nile?
Biblical moms were resourceful.
Miriam – Big Sister Energy
While baby Moses floated in the river, Miriam watched from a distance.
Not casually. Strategically.
Then she boldly approached Pharaoh’s daughter with a solution before anyone else could.
Miriam basically managed an international adoption negotiation as a child.
And somehow got Moses’ own mother hired to care for him.
Elite level planning.
Later, she becomes a prophetess and leader in Israel—but her leadership started long before the tambourine moment.
Pharaoh’s daughter – The Princess Who Defied Her Own Kingdom
One of the most overlooked women in Exodus is Pharaoh’s daughter.
Think about this:
Her father ordered Hebrew boys to die.
She found one… and chose compassion anyway.
That decision changed history.
She crossed political lines, cultural boundaries, and family expectations because she refused to ignore suffering in front of her.
Sometimes the most powerful act is simply choosing mercy when cruelty is easier.
Hidden Woman of the Book: Zipporah
Now let’s talk about the woman everyone skips over because her story feels slightly confusing at first glance.
Zipporah, Moses’ wife.
She appears briefly—but in one extremely intense moment, she acts quickly and spiritually decisively, saving Moses during a mysterious encounter on the journey back to Egypt.
What’s fascinating is this:
While Moses was called as the deliverer, Zipporah recognized the seriousness of the moment immediately and responded without hesitation.
She wasn’t passive in the mission.
She protected it.
Some women in Scripture lead publicly. Others preserve the calling quietly behind the scenes.
Both matter.
Exodus reminds us that courage doesn’t always look loud.
Sometimes courage looks like:
- protecting others quietly
- speaking up when something is wrong
- choosing compassion in harsh environments
- acting wisely under pressure
- helping carry someone else’s calling
The women of Exodus weren’t trying to become famous.
They simply chose bravery in the moments placed in front of them.
And history shifted because of it.
Final Thought
Before Moses ever stretched out his staff…
Women had already begun the rescue story.
Quietly. Cleverly. Courageously.