Does Hosea 13:16 prove that god opposes abortion?

Question

"The people of Samaria must bear the consequences of their guilt because they rebelled against their God. They will be killed by an invading army, their little ones dashed to death against the ground, their pregnant women ripped open by swords." (Hosea 13:16 NLT)

Answer 1

Judging by the answers so far, you're going to have to dumb it down and spell it out for them...ugh.

Answer 2

Among the Jews, children, and especially male children, were viewed as a blessing (Ps 127:3; 128:3; Ge 29:32-35; 30:5, 6), and barrenness as a shame and a reproach. (Lu 1:24, 25; Ge 25:21; 30:1) Consequently, pregnancy was something a married woman desired. (1Sa 1:2, 11, 20) When once a child had been conceived, the developing embryo or fetus was considered a soul. Action that resulted in killing a developing child in the womb was handled according to the rule “soul for soul.” (Ex 21:22, 23) It was a horrendous act for an enemy to rip up or split open a pregnant woman.—Ho 13:16; Am 1:13; 2Ki 8:12; 15:16.

Pregnancy would include pain at its termination (Ps 48:6; 1Th 5:3), but that temporary grief would end with the birth of the child, and so pregnancy would normally come to a happy and satisfying conclusion.—Joh 16:21, 22.

Answer 3

What does this have to do with abortion?

When a Biblical army invades, every living person is killed, especially the little ones, unborn or otherwise. This is to prevent them from growing up and becoming men and women that follow in their parents' footsteps, in this case rebelling against God. It also leaves a harsh reminder for the survivors what NOT to do in the future.

As far as abortion, there are plenty of other references as to why abortion is wrong. For me, the biggest one is the fact that God knew us "before (we) were born". Why would He condone the killing of one of His innocent children that He knows and loves? According to the scriptures, a child is pure and free of sin until the age of accountability (eight years old), when they know the difference between right and wrong and can decide for themselves. If their life is taken by someone, they have a place at Father's side and the one that stole that life will be held accountable.

Blessings

Answer 4

The city of Samaria was eventually destroyed for its idolatry, moral corruption, and continued disregard for God’s laws and principles

God did not leave such rebelliousness unpunished


God has high regard for human life right from its very start

In case men should struggle with each other and they really hurt a pregnant woman and her children do come out but no fatal accident occurs, he is to have damages imposed upon him without fail according to what the owner of the woman may lay upon him; and he must give it through the justices. But if a fatal accident should occur, then you must give soul for soul.”—Ex. 21:22-25.

Your eyes saw even the embryo of me, and in your book all its parts were down in writing, as regards the days when they were formed and there was not yet one among them.”—Ps. 139:16.

God, is so concerned about human life

Answer 5

A hate crime that God would not forget had happened years before Hosea in the town of Gibeah, where the tribe of Benjamin lived, in Samaria north of Jerusalem. The crime had many parts. Wicked local men, according to Judges 19:22, demanded an old man send out the Levite lodging at his house overnight. The men, homosexual rapists, were somewhat appeased when the Levite sent his woman out to them instead. They spent the night raping and doing other things to her. When it began to get light, they left her. She made it back to the house where the Levite was sleeping, and died outside the door.
The Levite took her body home to Jerusalem with him, then cut it up into 12 pieces as evidence, and sent one part to each head of the 12 tribes of Israel. The tribal leaders gathered together at Mizpah to hear the Levite's testimony and ask God what He wanted done. The Levite testified that the men wanted to kill him, but instead raped his woman and she died. Israel unanomously agreed to call up an army against Gibeah. Before fighting each day for three days, the Israelites inquired of God at the Ark of the Covenant what He wanted them to do, and did it. The first two days, they lost both battles. The Benjaminites were valiant fighters. The third day, God gave the Israelites victory. After the war, only 600 Benjamites survived, men only. The Israelites asked God for a plan to find wives for the survivors, so the tribe would not cease to exist. (see Judges 19-21) This is only one example of all the sins that angered the Lord. "Your sins have been your downfall." (14:1b)
".. as his fruit increased, he built more altars .." to idols (10:1) "Ephraim boasts,'...with all my wealth they will not find in me any iniquity or sin.'" (12:8) "When they were satisfied, they became proud; then they forgot Me." (13:6b) "You are destroyed, O Israel, because you are against me, against your helper." (13:9) "The people of Samaria must bear their guilt, because they have rebelled against their God." (13:16) After your punishment, when you mean it, "Take words with you and return to the Lord. Say to Him: 'Forgive all our sins and receive us graciously, that we may offer the fruit of our lips. Assyria cannot save us; we will not mount war-horses. We will never again say "Our gods" to what our own hands have made, for in You the fatherless find compassion." (14:2-3)

Answer 6

i don't think that that specific reference proves that abortion is wrong. i believe God opposes abortion (mostly because He opposes killing people), but that verse isn't what i would base my argument off of.

i think the point is that Samaria screwed up, and they're about to experience brutal consequences for their actions, not that killing babies is wrong. ripping pregnant women open definitely falls under the "brutal" category, as far as i can tell.

i think the more pertinent question is this:

is this really the same God described in the New Testament as giving his only son as atonement for other people's screw-ups? the Samaritans screwed up, but they didn't get a chance to redeem themselves... interesting, and yet a little disturbing.

Answer 7

Nope.

Pro 6:16 These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:
Pro 6:17 A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,
Pro 6:18 An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,
Pro 6:19 A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.

HANDS THAT SHED INNOCENT BLOOD

Jer 1:4 Then the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
Jer 1:5 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.

Answer 8

I prefer the following for the pro life stance.
Jeremiah 1:5 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.
I Cr 13;8a, Love never fails!!!!!

Answer 9

That doesn't prove anything. It seems that God wanted to punish the town by killing the babies and pregnant women.

Answer 10

I don't think Hosea's prophetic words spoke directly about abortion. But we know that abortion is murder regardless and should be outlawed.

Answer 11

How can a natural spirit oppose anything?