The Bible is the first and last word when it comes to defining life, before birth and afterward. Here are several verses that indicate God’s handiwork early in the womb:
Thus saith the LORD, thy redeemer, and he that formed thee from the womb, I am the LORD that maketh all things … (Isaiah 44:24).
For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them (Psalm 139:13-16).
A couple of verses tell us that God had chosen some people, like Jeremiah and Paul, for a task before they born!
Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations (Jeremiah 1:5).
But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb, and called [me] by his grace (Galatians 1:15).
In addition, God has plainly stated that he is against killing, purposely or accidentally, the fetus:
Thou shalt not kill (Exodus 20:13).
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 (Exodus 21:22-23).
Some people believe that a baby should be aborted if she is deformed or disabled in any way. What does the Bible say about that?
And the LORD said unto him, Who hath made man’s mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the LORD? (Exodus 4:11).
But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty (1 Corinthians 1:27).
The above passages give us a sound foundation for believing that valuing human life is important, back to the time of conception.
What Do You Think?
a. If human life should not be valued in the womb, then when does it become valuable?
b. If an infant’s life is not valuable in the womb because of a defect or abnormality, then shouldn’t older people’s lives be worth less because of frailties or defects? Why or why not?
c. What determines a person’s worth to you?
