Thought from today’s Bible reading from Exodus 19-21.
“If men struggle with each other and strike a woman with child so that she gives birth prematurely, yet there is no injury, he shall surely be fined as the woman’s husband may demand of him, and he shall pay as the judges decide. But if there is any further injury, then you shall appoint as a penalty life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burn for burn, wound for wound, bruise for bruise” (Exodus 21:22-25).
Capital punishment for murder has been a divine rule since the end of the flood (Genesis 9:6). Today, governments continue to “bear the sword” to punish evildoers as part of their divinely ordained role (Romans 13:4).
But this case that is addressed in the Law is a little different than most murder cases. This involved an unborn child. In the event that someone’s action against that unborn child led to his/her death, the offender would be subject to the same penalty as if he had murdered another grown man.
The point is this: In the eyes of God, there is no difference between the life of the unborn child and one who has already been born.
Those who defend abortion will often try to justify it by arguing that the child in the womb is somehow different, or less important, or expendable. But this is simply not the case. Why was capital punishment instituted for murder?
“Whoever sheds man’s blood, by man his blood shall be shed, for in the image of God He made man” (Genesis 9:6).
The unborn child is made in God’s image. His life must be valued, respected, and protected the same as the lives of everyone else.
Tomorrow’s reading: Exodus 22-24
[I’m using the Chronological reading plan on the Bible Gateway website if you’d like to follow along, too.]
Daily Notes & Observations contains all 365 articles from this series and is available in paperback from Gospel Armory.
