Why did God condone abortion in the Old Testament?

Question

The people of Samaria must bear their guilt, because they have rebelled against their God. They will fall by the sword; their little ones will be dashed to the ground, their pregnant women ripped open."
(Hosea 13:16)

Anytime one views the Bible in a negative fashion they are misinterpreting the Bible. The Bible can only be viewed in a positive manner because it's god's word ; ) ( He seems like such a pacifist to me.)

Some will say God didn't directly do this he just lifted his protection from the evil sinning Sumerians.

Dear God,
You seem like a fair rational guy. I'll have to start going to church.

OXOXOX,

Uncle Meat

Answer 1

Even tho you mentioned the "misinterpreting the bible argument", I'll bet ya, there'll be at least 20 "YOU AREN'T READING IT RIGHT" answers.

Answer 2

Those "Some" are right. God is lifting His protection from the Samaritans "because they have rebelled against their God." Abortion here is God's judgment. It's not a good thing. So I guess you could say that Roe v. Wade was God's judgment on our country too, even though it was decided by the Supreme Court. It has cost millions of lives over the past 34 years. And no, God is not always a pacifist. He drove out the Canaanites before the Israelites so they could take the land that God had promised to them. He also drowned Egyptian soldiers in the Red Sea when they chased after the Hebrew slaves. According to the book of Numbers, the Canaanites were physically more powerful than the Israelites. That's why the Israelites refused to go into the Promised Land under Moses. It's also why God killed that generation in the wilderness. It was their rebellion that drove God to do that. He took forty years to do it; one year in the wilderness for each day they were spying out the land of Canaan.

If anyone read Exodus 21:22-25 in context, they would understand that it is referring to men fighting each other and accidentally hurting a pregnant woman, so that she give birth prematurely or miscarry. In that case, the man either pays a fine, or if the baby dies (which would be mischief) then life should be given for life (vs. 23).

Answer 3

Does it say that God (or Hosea, for that matter) wants them to fall by the sword?
Does it say that God (or Hosea, for that matter) wants their little ones dashed to the ground?
Does it say that God (or Hosea, for that matter) wants their pregnant women ripped open?
If not, where does it condone such actions?
Furthermore, isn't there a particular time, say, maybe war, when these sort of atrocities occur? Could it be that Hosea is trying to say is that Samaria is going to be conquered in a violent fashion?

And I don't have any problem with skeptics interpreting the bible in a negative way- if anyone is going to have to answer for it, it's them, not me. I just find it funny how many of them think their interpretation should be blindly accepted by Christians and then heap scorn on those Christians who investigate the matter for themselves yet come to different conclusions than the skeptic's "official" interpretation.

Answer 4

God does not always intervene in the affairs of men and nations. The verse you quoted is a prophecy. Just because God allowed the event to happen does not mean that He condones abortion.

From the first century, the Church has taught the unchangeable truth that every procured abortion is evil. Direct abortion (willed as an end or a means) is gravely contrary to the moral law. "You shall not kill the embryo by abortion and shall not cause the newborn to perish" (Didache).

Peace and blessings!

Answer 5

Interesting point: Technically God isn't doing this (in that he isn't directly carrying it out as it's a prophecy given to Hosea). If you believe though that he ordains all things that come to pass--you could say he ordained the means (which would likely be a military force against Samaria).

It seems to suggest in the text that he brought this prophecy forth because of Samaria's rebellion.

It's not a comforting verse, but I don't think you are ripping it out of context.

Answer 6

God didn't condone pregnant women taking the lives of their unborn children. God brought judgment on the Samarians just like He did when He flooded the whole world.

God is not subject to any man's judgment. He is the creator and judge of all things. Instead of trying to find faults with God you would be much wiser to admit that you have broken his laws, that you deserve to be punished, but because of his love and grace you want to turn from your sins and accept the salvation that God provided when He sent his only son Jesus to die a shameful and agonizing death on a cross in your place.

Check out the Get Saved button @ http://www.express56.com/~bromar/ for more info.

Answer 7

When rebelling against God, evil negative forces surround and immerse the soul. God is Life. God is Love. The sword is an object of this world contrived by humans and is not an instrument of God. Therefore, God did not condone abortion or infanticide, man did, by rebelling against God, Our Father...

Answer 8

Jeremiah 1:5 tells us that God knows us before He knits us in the womb. Psalm 139:13-16 speaks of God’s active role in our creation and formation in the womb. Exodus 21:22-25 prescribes the same penalty for someone who causes the death of a baby in the womb as the penalty for someone who commits murder. This clearly indicates that God considers a baby in the womb as just as much of a human being as a full-grown adult. For the Christian, abortion is not a matter of a woman’s right to choose. It is a matter of the life or death of a human being made in God’s image (Genesis 1:26-27; 9:6).

Answer 9

Because according to the Bible, it isn't a sin.

One of the most common arguments against abortion comes from the Ten Commandments, where we are told "Thou Shalt Not Kill." But this begs the question of "kill what?" Does this commandment mean we cannot kill anything, even a fly? No. It means we should not kill another human being. Of course, the Christians believes a pre-born fetus is the same as a full-term human being. God, however, does not. In Exodus 21:22-25 we read that if a man accidentally kills a pregnant woman, that man should be condemned for committing murder. However, if he only kills the fetus, he is not condemned for murder. Clearly, then, God does not consider the pre-born fetus as being the same as a human being, in which case the Commandment of "Thou Shalt Not Kill (a human)" does not apply.

Any Christian that tells you otherwise will burn in "Hell" (according to their own beliefs) for not following every piece of the Bible like the book tells them to.

Answer 10

they as it says rebelled against God
people do it today too and bear the consequences

since you reject what the bible says and twist it to your own ideas-how can u reason with an unreasonable person

yet=millions know Jesus personally -they chose not to be deluded.

I am born a Jew taught to reject Jesus too -now he is my savior and best friend.

Isaiah predicted perfectly="Unto us a child will be born, a son given and he will be the mighty God and the prince of peace."

maybe its time for you to check it out

and his promise spoken from heaven=Revelation 1:1&3:19&20 "I love you and knock on your hearts door to come in when you repent from sin and ask me in to be your friend."

so i prayed "Jesus i am sorry for my sins come into my heart and help me by my friend, amen."

worked for me -now I am no longer under the delusion of rejecting Jesus-he is my best friend. The day i reject Jesus I am told I will be put back into our families rich Jewish will. But I told my mom, I cant take Jesus out of my heart, but even if I could I wouldnt do it.

praying for you and best wishes too, David

Answer 11

looks like you already know the answer to this question. God has never condoned abortion or the killing of babies. he just told them that it would happen. he says to never lay a finger on a little one.