Scriptures That Should Have Been Considered 45 Years Ago (Psalm 19:7-11)
Introduction:
1. In Psalm 19 David showed how: a. God's existence is declared by His creation (vs.1-6) b. God's will is declared in His Word (vs.7-11) c. he wanted his life to be right with God (vs.12-14). 2. Much is being said about the 45th anniversary of the Roe V. Wade Supreme Court decision. 3. That decision gave women the right to have an abortion. 4. In our lesson we are studying a number of "Scriptures that should have been considered 45 years ago." 5. We are searching God's Word to determine how He feels toward the unborn.
Discussion:
I. SCRIPTURES THAT RELATE TO THE CREATION
A. The Bible teaches that God originally gave life to Adam and Eve through miraculous means (Genesis 1:27; 2:7, 21-23). B. After God created Adam and Eve through miraculous means, He provided natural means whereby other lives come into existence (Genesis 1:28a; 4:1). C. From Scriptures that relate to the Creation we learn how life began, and we know how life begins today, but at this point we do not know how God feels toward the unborn.
II. SCRIPTURES FROM THE LAW OF MOSES
A. See Exodus 21:22-25 B. These verses deal with a situation in which a pregnant woman is harmed and she gives birth prematurely. C. If "no mischief" followed, the man who caused the harm would pay a fine. D. However, if "any mischief" did follow, the man who caused the harm would be punished accordingly, even to the taking of his life. E. Under the law, taking an innocent life was forbidden (Exodus 20:13; 21:12). F. We begin to see from the Law of Moses that God is quite concerned about the unborn, but we need to go further.
III. SCRIPTURES THAT RELATE TO GOD'S SERVANTS
A. See Psalm 139:13-16 1. In this psalm David showed how well God knew him. 2. No matter where he went, David was unable to escape God's presence. 3. David said that God even knew him when he was in his mother's womb. B. See Jeremiah 1:4-5 1. God ordained that Jeremiah would be a prophet before he was born. 2. According to vs.5a, who formed Jeremiah in his mother's womb? C. See Luke 1:39-44 1. John was called a "babe" when he was still in his mother's womb. 2. It certainly seems that John had some awareness of what was talking place around him. 3. (Luke 2:12, 16) Jesus was called a "babe" after He was born. 4. The same word is translated "infants" in Luke 18:15. D. We conclude from these passages that God considers an unborn child in the womb to be alive. 1. When an abortion is performed, an innocent life is taken. 2. We do not have to wonder about how God feels toward those who shed "innocent blood" (Proverbs 6:16-17).
Conclusion:
1. Unfortunately, these Scriptures were not considered 45 years ago. 2. Regardless, the Scriptures show what children are in Psalm 127:3 -- "Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward." 3. Let us remember the powerful words found in Psalm 33:12a; 9:17.
