Let's look at three of what we consider to be among the most compelling passages of the Christian Bible, which reveal--in no uncertain terms--how God views the embryo, the fetus, the unborn.
Exodus 21:22-24 says, "If men strive and hurt a woman with child, so that her fruit depart from her, and yet no mischief follow, he shall be surely punished, according as the woman's husband will lay upon him. And he shall pay as the judges determine. And if any mischief follow, then thou shalt give life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot."
It is clear that "mischief" refers to anything from injuring a hand or foot to causing loss of life. The passage is clearly speaking of men causing injury to a pregnant woman, and causing the unborn child to "depart" from her. So, we have a premature birth provoked by some type of injury caused by men feuding. The passage says, "If ANY mischief follow..." It does NOT say "if the woman suffers any mischief." It does NOT say, "if the baby suffers any mischief". It says, "if any mischief follow". Who are the people in question? The woman and the unborn child. That makes TWO people. There is no way around attributing "any mischief" to both the woman AND her child. Again, that "mischief" can range from the injury of a hand or foot of the woman or baby to the loss of life of either. And, let us not forget that the scripture matches the punishment according to the crime. "Life for life" means nothing less than execution if the woman dies and / or if the unborn baby dies. It is also interesting that the Exodus passage does NOT specify how far along the woman is in her pregnancy. Conclusion: ANY stage of development in which the unborn is found is considered life. Now considering that in those days there were no incubators in which to place a very premature baby, that "fruit" of the womb would have been unable to survive outside of his or her mother. Life for life.
The Unborn In The New Testament
When Elizabeth was six months pregnant with John the Baptist, a very significant blessing occurred that also reveals how God views the unborn. Man debates whether an unborn baby should be considered a little boy or a little girl. But God proves to us that He indeed sees that unborn baby as the life of a boy or a girl.
The Holy Spirit, also called the Holy Ghost in Scripture, is the express Spirit of the triune God. And being that He is God's Spirit, He is directly referred to as God Himself. Let's now read a most interesting passage in the Christian Bible involving the Spirit of God and an unborn baby.
"...He shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb." (Luke 1:15 )
The "he" in the Luke 1:15 passage refers to John The Baptist. We clearly read that he is still in his mother's womb. He is still a fetus. He is an unborn child. We read that the very Spirit of God Himself fills a fetus! God takes up residence in an unborn child. What more biblical evidence do we need that the unborn are baby boys and baby girls in the eyes of the Creator?
Up to this point, we have focused on God's view of the embryo, the fetus...the unborn. But there is one more passage that might be considered even more eye-opening than the Luke passage, which should be enough proof that the Lord says the unborn is just as much a life as those who have been born.
In Hebrews 7:9 we read, "And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham. For he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchisedec met him."
For those who are not familiar with the Bible, Levi was a descendant of Abraham who was born more than 400 years AFTER Abraham. But we have the biblical proof that Levi was in the mind of God more than four centuries BEFORE he was even in his mother's womb. The scripture we just read says that Levi--who had not even been conceived yet--payed tithes from the loins of his ancestor Abraham. In God's eyes, Levi paid tithes more than 400 years before he was ever conceived, let alone born.
The fact that the sovereign Lord has, and continues to allow man to murder unborn babies, does not mean He will not one day judge the murderers who do not repent. And considering that "life for life" is the payment, it would be wise to have that death sentenced annulled in the forgiveness only Christ can provide when we repent, and truly receive Him as Lord.
"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9)
But What About Life-Threatening Pregnancies?
Those who do not place their trust in God will understandably place their trust in doctors. But let's remember that high-risk pregnancies are not a modern problem. Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist got pregnant in old age (Luke 1:36). Sarah conceived Isaac in very old age (Genesis, chapters 18-20). We might tend to think that, because God miraculously blessed Sara to conceive, that He miraculously gave her strength to bare. While that is correct, Sarah had to have faith to receive that kind of strength (Hebrews 11:11).
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2024-11-07 - Mercy
Another scripture of importance in this study is Genesis 25:22-24. It's the account of Rebecca when she carried Jacob (Israel) and Esau (now Jordan) before their birth.
22 But the children inside her struggled with each other, and she said, “Why is this happening to me?” So she went to inquire of the Lord. 23 And the Lord said to her: Two nations are in your womb; two peoples will come from you and be separated. One people will be stronger than the other, and the older will serve the younger. 24 When her time came to give birth, there were indeed twins in her womb.
This is not only a prophesy evident today, it is another OT confirmation of the apostle Paul's claim that we are known by God long before we are born.
Psalm 139:15-17
15 My frame was not hidden from You when I was made in secret, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
16 Your eyes saw my unformed body; all my days were written in Your book and ordained for me before one of them came to be.
17 How precious to me are Your thoughts, O God, how vast is their sum!
Yeshua HaMashiach have mercy on us.
2024-11-07 - HeavenlyManna.net
Mercy:
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