The issue of abortion is complex and divisive. Those who support abortion rights often point to instances in the Bible where God commanded the Israelites to kill groups of people, including women and children, as justification that killing the unborn is not inherently wrong. However, a closer examination of Scripture reveals some key differences between abortion and God’s commands to Israel.
The value of human life in the Bible
The Bible consistently affirms the sanctity and value of human life. Human beings are made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27) and the shedding of innocent blood is repeatedly condemned (Proverbs 6:17). God’s prohibition against murder in the 10 Commandments (Exodus 20:13) applies to all humans, without qualification. Killing an innocent human being at any stage of development – whether born or unborn – goes against God’s commands.
In the Old Testament, causing the death of an unborn child resulting from violence against a pregnant woman was treated as murder and punishable by death (Exodus 21:22-25). The biblical legal principle is that the fetus has personhood and moral value, contradicting the modern notion of a non-person fetus which can be aborted.
In the New Testament, the sanctity of life in the womb is hinted at in Luke 1:44, where the unborn John the Baptist is described as a “baby” when he leaped at the sound of Mary’s greeting. The Greek word used for baby specifically refers to an unborn child.
The Bible consistently paints a picture of human life, including life in the womb, as precious and made in God’s image. This value is bestowed by God, not man. The sanctity of life applies to all innocent humans regardless of age or stage of development.
God’s prerogative over life and death
A key distinction must be made between God authorizing the taking of life and humans taking life without God’s approval. God is the author and sustainer of all life (Acts 17:25) and therefore has sovereign prerogative over when life begins, continues or ends.
In contrast, humans do not have absolute autonomy over life and death decisions. Humans are commanded not to commit murder (Exodus 20:13). Abortion involves humans taking the life of other defenseless human beings without proper moral justification.
When God commanded Israel to attack certain groups (1 Samuel 15:3), it was God exercising His prerogative to execute judgment at a particular time in history. Israel was simply acting as God’s instrument of justice and carrying out His sentences.
However, this does not mean humans today have the same authority to take life. God no longer commands nations to wage war in the same way. His people today do not have license to kill the unborn based on instances where God commanded the death of guilty persons in the Bible.
God is sovereign over life and death, not us. He gives life (Psalm 139:13-16) and only He has the moral authority to determine when it ends. Abortion involves humans playing God by deciding when life begins and ends.
Killing the innocent vs executing justice
A major difference exists between taking innocent life versus executing justice upon the guilty. Abortion takes the life of defenseless unborn children who have committed no wrong.
In contrast, God’s commands to bring judgment on certain groups in the Old Testament (Deuteronomy 20:16-18) were carried out precisely because of their wickedness and guilt before God. The destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19:24-25) was God’s judgment against their grievous sexual immorality and perversion.
The Amalekites were judged for their malicious opposition to God’s people (Exodus 17:8-16). God ordered Saul to attack the Amalekites in 1 Samuel 15:3 because of their long history of wickedness and rebellion against God.
Key to understanding God’s judgment is recognizing He is perfectly just (Psalm 11:7). He never judges wrongly or without cause. When He brings death and destruction to the guilty, it is always morally justified and deserved.
In stark contrast, the unborn have committed no offense worthy of capital punishment. Abortion unjustly takes the life of millions of innocent children unable to speak for themselves.
God protects the innocent
While God sometimes judges the wicked, He also protects the innocent who cannot defend themselves. Throughout Scripture, God is portrayed as a helper and defender of the weak, fatherless and oppressed (Psalm 72:4, 12-14). He cares deeply for children (Psalm 127:3-5) and condemns those who hurt them (Matthew 18:6).
Unlike the adults He judged, there is no evidence God viewed young children who died in these attacks as morally culpable. God likely spared them eternal judgment due to their innocence (2 Samuel 12:22-23). Their earthly lives were taken as an act of divine justice against those guilty of wickedness.
However, taking the life of defenseless unborn children through abortion is completely unjustified. Abortion proponents cannot point to any biblical evidence demonstrating God’s sanction or indifference to harming unborn life.
God offers mercy to all
Another major way abortion differs from God’s Old Testament judgments is that abortion offers no chance of repentance and mercy to the unborn. They are denied the opportunity to exercise faith in God and receive His forgiveness.
In contrast, God repeatedly demonstrated His mercy even to wicked nations He commanded Israel to attack. When the people of Nineveh repented at the preaching of Jonah, God relented from the calamity He said He would bring upon it (Jonah 3:10). Rahab and her family were saved during the destruction of Jericho because of Rahab’s faith (Joshua 6:25).
God always prefers showing mercy over judgment (Jonah 4:2, 11). Abortion allows no chance for God’s grace to touch the unborn child’s heart. It is mercy, not judgment, that God wants all to experience (1 Timothy 2:4).
Abortion is not commanded by God
Critically, those who justify abortion by citing God’s commands to Israel overlook one massive difference – God has not authorized or commanded abortions as He did these killings in the Bible. God specifically instructed Israel regarding who to attack and when in the Old Testament. His commands to Israel were according to His perfect purposes and wisdom.
In stark contrast, Scripture contains no commands from God to abort unborn life. Abortion is a practice devised by humans without any biblical directive from God. Since God has not commanded or approved abortion as He did other killings, abortion cannot claim biblical support.
Human life begins at conception
Those trying to justify abortion argue the unborn are not fully human, suggesting killing them is less significant than taking born life. However, scientifically, complete human DNA is present from conception and determines gender, hair color, eye color, etc. There is no essential human difference between a child seconds before birth and seconds after.
Biblically, there are strong indications human personhood begins very early in the womb. The prophet Jeremiah and John the Baptist were set apart and given their prophetic calling before birth (Jeremiah 1:5, Luke 1:15). This indicates they carried personhood while still in the womb.
Psalm 139:13-16 describes God’s personal fashioning and weaving together of the psalmist in the womb. The Hebrew for “unformed substance” refers to the embryo (Hebrew golem) and indicates God’s relationship with the psalmist before birth.
While the Bible does not explicitly state when personhood begins, it consistently treats the unborn as human persons known and valued by God. This sanctity deserves the highest levels of protection.
The unborn are innocent humans
The fundamental difference between God’s commands to Israel and abortion is the innocence and moral status of the life taken. The groups God commanded Israel to judge were morally culpable before God in a way unborn children are not. When God judges, it is always just and righteous.
Abortion extinguishes the lives of millions of unborn children every year who have not sinned or done anything to warrant death. It is the unjustified killing of defenseless human beings unable to speak for themselves.
Rather than showing indifference, God cares deeply for the unborn and condemns those who hurt them (Matthew 18:6, Exodus 21:22-25). Abortion flies in the face of how God wants us to treat and value human life, especially the innocent. Only the true Author of life has the moral authority to command life to be taken.
The redemption of human life
The Bible teaches God is able to redeem seemingly hopeless circumstances for good (Genesis 50:20; Romans 8:28). While the taking of any innocent human life is tragic, God can ultimately bring redemption from evil.
Many individuals conceived in rape or incest have rejected the notion they would have been better off aborted. They acknowledge and often thank their mothers for giving them the chance to live. God can powerfully work in a life formed in human brokenness.
Adoption offers perhaps the greatest alternative scenario to abortion. Millions of loving families are unable to conceive a child of their own. Adoption allows a child to still be reared in a caring family while sparing its life.
Even from something as tragic as abuse or rape, an innocent life spared from abortion can bring untold beauty, purpose and redemption. The possibilities are limitless for how God can work in a life. Every life has value to God and other humans waiting to receive this precious gift.
Principled yet compassionate
As God’s people, Christians should stand firmly on biblical truth while also extending compassion. While unequivocally denouncing abortion, Jesus would no doubt show abundant grace to struggling women. He would weep with them and assure them of forgiveness if they repent (John 8:11).
The Church must have open arms to welcome and counsel women and couples who face difficult pregnancies. They need support, not judgment, in their situation. Christians should look for ways to lovingly help, whether by providing healthcare, financial support, foster care or adoption services.
Like God, the Church should steer clear of condemnation while calling all to experience God’s redemption. Christians have the great privilege of showing His mercy and hope to all, including those considering abortion.
Conclusion
In summary, abortion simply cannot be justified by appealing to instances where God commanded Israel to bring judgment on the guilty. Abortion involves humans unjustly taking innocent life without biblical authority or divine sanction.
Abortion violates the sanctity of human life which the Bible consistently upholds. God cares deeply for children inside and outside the womb. He seeks to protect the defenseless who have done nothing to deserve harm.
While God is perfectly just in all His actions, abortion confers injustice by harming undeserving unborn human beings unable to speak for themselves. Abortion offers no chance of repentance or mercy to the unborn.
Rather than judging harshly, Christians should passionately affirm the value of unborn life while also offering compassion, care and alternatives to abortion. God can redeem seemingly difficult circumstances for good. The Church should faithfully uphold biblical truth while overflowing with the mercy and hope only Christ can bring.