Abortion and God’s Compassion for Unwanted Children: Abortion and the Bible Series - Part 5

            The prophet Ezekiel had some incredible, even terrifying, visions of God. After one such encounter it says he sat overwhelmed for seven days (Ezekiel 3:15). One time, God came to Ezekiel to give him an analogy for how Israel had been unfaithful to him. This is how God described Israel, his unfaithful people:

“And as for your birth, on the day you were born your cord was not cut, nor were you washed with water to cleanse you, nor rubbed with salt, nor wrapped in swaddling cloths. No eye pitied you, to do any of these things to you out of compassion for you, but you were cast out on the open field, for you were abhorred, on the day that you were born. “And when I passed by you and saw you wallowing in your blood, I said to you in your blood, ‘Live!’ I said to you in your blood, ‘Live!’” (Ezekiel 16:4-6).

            Here we have a picture of God finding an unwanted child. This child was newly born and had already been abandoned. They were wallowing in their blood. Not even their cord had been cut. And God’s response was to call them to live! This unwanted child was wanted by God, our compassionate heavenly Father.

            God continues the analogy with Ezekiel and describes how he raised and cared for Israel. Eventually, when Israel came of age, he married her. This unwanted child became God’s very desire. He nourished her with good food and clothed her with expensive clothing, and precious jewelry. However, Israel was unfaithful and became a prostitute. God gives quite the list of grievances against Israel. Perhaps the most serious is when God says, “you slaughtered my children and delivered them up as an offering by fire [to foreign gods]” (Ezekiel 16:21).

            Note that God says she was slaughtering His children. She did not want them. She preferred whatever benefit came from presenting them as an offering by fire, to other gods. Perhaps what is most amazing about this entire passage is that at the end of it God reaffirms his love for Israel and promises to win her for himself once more (Ezekiel 16:59-63). Despite all of her grievous sins, he still wanted her. And he still wants us, and he still wants our children. For our children are not only ours, they are his. Though we may be abandoned, he sees, and he takes care of us. Though we may abandon our own children, he sees, and he takes care of them too, for they are also His.

            If you are considering an abortion, consider that your child is not only yours, they are also God’s. Abortion is not the only option. If you carry guilt for previous abortions, God’s love is more powerful than your guilt, and he will freely welcome you with open arms if you turn to him.