A Time to Lie

I recently mentioned my theory (based on Micah 3:5-7) that people who lie, demagogue, and deceive lose their ability to comprehend reality and the truth. While reading through the book of Exodus this week I was reminded of one exception to this rule. There actually is a proper time to lie.

In Exodus 1:15-21, Pharaoh tells the Hebrew midwives to put to death every male child that is born. But the midwives feared God and did not do as Pharaoh commanded, instead saying, “Because the Hebrew women are not as the Egyptian women; for they are vigorous and give birth before the midwife can get to them.”

Essentially, the midwives lie to Pharaoh in order to protect the male babies from being killed.

Verses 20-21 are the kicker: “So God was good to the midwives, and the people multiplied, and became very mighty. Because the midwives feared God, He established households for them.”

Essentially, God blessed the midwives for lying to the authorities in order to protect the lives of others.

From this passage we can learn that lying to save someone from certain death is not a sin and is something for which God may bless one.

So all those Christians who housed Jews from the Nazis and lied to the authorities … God was pleased with their lies.