When does life begin?

Even though Israel was/is God’s chosen nation, they were guilty of killing children by offering them to false gods.

They even sacrificed their sons and their daughters to the demons, and shed innocent blood, the blood of their sons and their daughters, whom they sacrificed to the idols of Canaan…” Psalm 106:37-38

God said that such an abomination never entered His mind.

And they built the high places of Baal…to cause their sons and their daughters to pass through the fire to Molech…

which I had not commanded them or had it entered My mind that they should do this abomination….” Jeremiah 32:35

God proclaimed those children slain and burned belonged to Him, inasmuch as they were the firstborn who were spared on the eve of the first Passover.

Moreover, you took your sons and daughters whom you had borne to Me, and you sacrificed them to be devoured…

You slaughtered My children, and offered them up to idols by causing them to pass through the fire.” Ezekiel 16:20-21

Some might surmise in today’s world that such an abomination compares with the present practice of legalized abortion. Others would argue that a fetus does not become a child until the child is born.

The Bible addresses the issue. Recall when Isaac’s wife Rebekah was with child.

And Isaac prayed to the LORD on behalf of his wife, because she was barren; and the LORD answered him and Rebekah his wife conceived. But the children struggled together within her…when her days to be delivered were fulfilled, behold, there were twins in her womb.” Genesis 25:21-22a,

The Hebrew word for ‘children’ in the above scripture is Ben defined as a ‘son, child, boy, or young one.’ And the Hebrew word for ‘womb’ is Beten meaning ‘belly,’ ‘within,’ or ‘inmost part.’ In other words, Rebekah had two living sons within her body. One of those sons was subsequently named Jacob who was later renamed ‘Israel.’

The Apostle Paul confirmed the identity and significance of unborn children.

“…but when Rebecca also had conceived… even by our father Isaac (for the children not yet being born, nor having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand…

not of works but of Him who calls), it was said to her, ‘the older shall serve the younger.’ As it is written, ‘Jacob I have loved, but Esau I have hated.’” Romans 9:10-13

God had called the brothers by name and had pre-written their part in His master plan devised before the foundation of the world. The Bible succinctly states His calling for the brothers was announced while they were ‘not yet being born.’

King David addressed the significance of newly conceived children within their mother’s womb as he attempted to express the majesty and sovereignty of God.

My frame was not hidden from You, when I was made in secret…Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, the days fashioned for me, when as yet there were none of them.” Psalm 139:15-16

David confirms that God’s purpose for His chosen was set in ages past and their days determined and outlined before they were even formed in their mother’s womb. Their days are already numbered and recorded in the Book of Life.

One of the major litmus tests in America today is the issue of legalized abortion.

Such a law brings to mind the words of Jesus to the Pharisees.

Why do you also transgress the commandment of God because of your tradition? …Thus you have made the commandment of God of no effect by your tradition.” Matthew 15:3, 6

Also keep in mind that the Bible states that it was/is a capital offense to spill the blood of an innocent human, inasmuch as man is created in the very image of God.

Thus, according to the Bible:

A child is a child whether running across the room into a parent’s protective arms or resting in peace within their mother’s protective womb awaiting birth.

However, everyone has the right to their opinion on this major issue, and many will interpret the Bible based on their ideology.

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