Origin of Life Lesson 2

Review:

Let’s briefly examine some of those passages that demonstrate for us how the Word views the child while in the womb and out of the womb. This will show us just how God views the child.

1. The Child Conceived is the Same as the Child Born. Genesis 4:1

The point made here by its presence is this: It was Cain who was conceived and it was Cain who was born.

The text does not say she conceived a fetus and delivered a Cain. The child delivered is treated as identical to the child conceived.

Second Case is Job. Job 3:3,11,16

First, in vs:3 we have the unborn child described as a boy. The verse does not say a boy was born; it says a boy was conceived.

In Job 3:11, Job mourns the fact that he did not die at birth. The obvious pre-condition for death is life!

Second, we have the unborn child described as an infant in 3:16. That the infant never saw light shows that it perished before birth.

Lamentations 4:4 is another example.

Note carefully Job 10:8-12. It beautifully makes the point that what is in the womb is indeed a complete person and recognizes God's role in the process.

In Luke 1:41 says of Elizabeth that while she was pregnant, “the baby leaped in her womb....”

In Luke 2:12 an angel appears to the shepherds in their fields and tells them that in the city of David they would find "a baby (bre,foj) wrapped in cloths, and lying in a manger."

A brephos in the womb, a brephos in the manger; What's the only difference? The location of the baby!

2. The Baby in the Womb Has a Sin Nature

“...and in sin my mother conceived me.” (Psalm 51:5b)

David here is speaking of his own personal life history, and its interesting that he begins with conception, not birth.

What does it mean to be conceived in sin?

- The words in sin refer to the inherited sin nature passed on to all since Adam. This sin nature is never viewed as functioning apart from a human being.

3. The Unborn may be killed and the mother's womb may become a grave.

Jer. 20:17-18

A PANORAMA OF THE ORIGIN OF LIFE IN THE WOMB

AND GOD'S RELATIONSHIP TO THAT LIFE!

Before Conception

The Lord planned the unborn's existence from eternity past (Psa. 139:15-16; Jer. 1:5).

The Lord has a purpose for the unborn (Isa. 49:1,5; Jer. 1:5).

Conception

God opens the womb (Gen. 29:31; 30:22; Dt. 7:13; Ruth 4:13; Psa. 127:3), and God who closes the womb (Gen. 20:18; 1 Sam. 1:5-6).

Romans 4:19 says Sarah's womb was ‘dead,’ but then she received ability to conceive (Heb. 11:11).

When a woman is barren, she may find inner rest and confidence in the fact her Creator knows best, has her interests at heart, and has fitted her for a special place in His eternal plan.

Many passages say the Lord develops and fashions the unborn child in the womb (Job 10:8-12; 31:15; 33:4; 33:6; Psa. 100:3; 119:73; 139:13-16; Eccl. 11:5; Jer. 1:5).

Furthermore even deformed children are according to God's purpose. Observe Christ's comments regarding the man born blind (Jn. 9:1-3). Also Exodus 4:11,

Conclusion: [related to potential problems]

It is erroneous, therefore, to advocate feticide [abortion] because of real or potential physiological abnormalities. [usually done because it will be an inconvenience, totally reprehensible]

Birth

God works at birth to produce a live birth (Psa. 22:9-10; Isa. 49:1, 5). The Lord also works in regard to the miscarriage or stillborn (Job 3:16; 10:18; Jer. 20:17).

Same Words Used Of Pre-born and Post-born

The Old Testament uses the normal word for ‘son’ [??]for both Jacob and Esau in the womb of their mother (Gen. 25:21-24; cp. Jer. 20:15).

Scripture uses ‘infant’ two ways:

1. Job 3:16 says ‘as infants’ i.e. unborn children, that never saw light.

2. Other passages use it of those already born (Isa. 3:12 of leaders; Lam. 2:19; 4:4; Hos. 13:16 judgment; Mic. 2:9).

The New Testament employs the word ‘son’ of both the born and unborn

(Lk. 1:31, 36, cp. 3:22). [ui`o,j]

The New Testament uses the term ‘baby’ (brephos bre,foj) of both the born and unborn (Lk. 1:44 [unborn], Lk. 2:12, 16 [born]).

Scripture does not distinguish between those unborn and born because they are uninterrupted life, fully human from the moment of conception.

THE BIBLE GRANTS LEGAL PROTECTION FOR THE UNBORN; Why?? Ex. 21:22-25

Background; the context is the giving of laws for Israel.

The word for strike is quite strong and usage shows it may refer to anything from a serious injury up to, and including, death.

[struggle - Lev. 24:10; kill - 2 Sam 14:6]

Thus what is in her womb is every bit a human being as what will be born to her -- a fact established in part by this passage also.