In this episode, Kim talks to Dr. Carmen Joy Imes about the women of Exodus. Dr. Imes brings her deep knowledge of Exodus to the average Christian audience, explaining how the structure and literary parallels of Exodus to show how the women are the rescuers of Moses, who then rescues the Hebrews. She provides the details of the midwives’ spiritual work of saving lives. She demonstrates how Pharaoh’s daughter displayed God’s character as she sees Moses’ misery, heard his cry, and took pity on him. She explains the Hebrew that illustrates how Miriam took a stand at the river to address Pharaoh’s daughter just as Moses later took a stand to address Pharaoh. And she explains how Zipporah literally saved Moses’ life as he decided which people group he belonged. Amidst these detailed portrayals of the Exodus women, Dr. Imes also points out the narrator’s use of humor to depict the bumbling and nameless Pharaoh. 

00:00 Introduction to Mutuality Matters 

00:02 Exploring the Role of Zipporah in Exodus 

01:04 Meet Dr. Carmen Joy IMEs 

02:06 The Mystery of Exodus 4:24-25 

03:26 Theological and Structural Significance of Zipporah 

14:33 The Role of Women in the Early Chapters of Exodus 

21:49 Elevating Women in Scripture 

22:00 A Word from CBE 

22:37 The Women of Exodus: Zipporah, Pua, and Shiphrah 

22:52 The Story of Moses' Birth and the Women Who Saved Him 

32:07 Moses' Identity and His Encounter with God 

39:37 Closing Thoughts and Resources 

41:20 Final Remarks and How to Stay Connected 

Guest Bio  

Dr. Carmen Joy Imes is associate professor of Old Testament at Talbot School of Theology, Biola University, in Southern California. She is the author of Bearing God's Name: Why Sinai Still Matters, Being God's Image: Why Creation Still Matters, and the forthcoming Becoming God's Family: Why the Church Still Matters. Carmen has a YouTube channel where she releases weekly Torah Tuesday videos and you can find her writing on various websites, including Christianity Today, The Well, and The Politics of Scripture blog. Carmen is passionate about equipping the church to engage the Old Testament well and to see its relevance for the Christian life. 

Find Dr. Carmen Imes at: 

X: @carmenjoyimes 

Bluesky: @carmenjoyimes.bsky.social 

YouTube – Torah Tuesday: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6bwfe08fufzGaY2YImWQK12Ye7VX15X2 

Resources Mentioned in the Interview: 

Becoming God's Family: Why the Church Still Matters 

Being God's Image: Why Creation Still Matters 

Bearing God's Name: Why Sinai Still Matters 

Every Woman’s Bible published by Tyndale 

Other CBE Resources: 

Defiant: What the Women of Exodus Teach Us About Freedom by Kelley Nikondeha. 

“Rational and Emotional Faith” by Megan Greulich in Mutuality 

“Who’s Who? Biblical Models of Women in Leadership” by Gracy Ying May in Priscilla Papers 

“Black is Blessed: A Study of Black/African Women and Men in Scripture” by Catherine Clark Kroeger in Priscilla Papers 

“Defiant: What the Women of Exodus Teach us about Freedom” by Mary Lou Wiley a Book Review on Defiant 

Women in Scripture and Mission: Zipporah by Kimberly Dickson 

Women in Scripture and Mission: Miriam by Kimberly Dickson 

Women in Scritpure and History: Puah and Shiphrah by Kimberly Dickson 

Disclaimer  

The opinions expressed in CBE’s Mutuality Matters’ podcast are those of its hosts or guests do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of CBE International or its members or chapters worldwide. The designations employed in this podcast and the presentation of content therein do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of CBE concerning the legal status of any country, area or territory or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers.