The Silence Which Kills

Exodus 1:8-22

The Silence Which Kills

Now there arose up a new king over Egypt, which knew not Joseph. And he said unto his people, Behold, the people of the children of Israel are more and mightier than we: Come on, let us deal wisely with them; lest they multiply, and it come to pass, that, when there falleth out any war, they join also unto our enemies, and fight against us, and so get them up out of the land. Therefore they did set over them taskmasters to afflict them with their burdens. And they built for Pharaoh treasure cities, Pithom and Raamses. But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew. And they were grieved because of the children of Israel. And the Egyptians made the children of Israel to serve with rigour: And they made their lives bitter with hard bondage, in mortar, and in brick, and in all manner of service in the field: all their service, wherein they made them serve, was with rigour. And the king of Egypt spake to the Hebrew midwives, of which the name of the one was Shiphrah, and the name of the other Puah: And he said, When ye do the office of a midwife to the Hebrew women, and see them upon the stools; if it be a son, then ye shall kill him: but if it be a daughter, then she shall live. But the midwives feared God, and did not as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the men children alive. And the king of Egypt called for the midwives, and said unto them, Why have ye done this thing, and have saved the men children alive? And the midwives said unto Pharaoh, Because the Hebrew women are not as the Egyptian women; for they are lively, and are delivered ere the midwives come in unto them. Therefore God dealt well with the midwives: and the people multiplied, and waxed very mighty. And it came to pass, because the midwives feared God, that he made them houses. And Pharaoh charged all his people, saying, Every son that is born ye shall cast into the river, and every daughter ye shall save alive.

With the exception of homosexuality and gay marriage, no other issue stirs the heart and blood of people more than abortion. Abortion has become one of the most persistently debated topics in America. There are those who are staunchly pro-life or pro-choice. Few people do not have an opinion concerning abortion. Often, we wonder where God wants us to stand on this issue. Let’s examine this passage and others today to discover how God feels about life.

Introduction – Statistics

By Jerry Price - Jan 9, 2006

Who Has Abortions?

• Fifty-two percent of U.S. women obtaining abortions are younger than 25: Women aged 20-24 obtain 33 percent of all abortions, and teenagers obtain 19 percent.

• Black women are more than 3 times as likely as white women to have an abortion, and Hispanic women are 2 1/2 times as likely.

• Forty-three percent of women obtaining abortions identify themselves as Protestant, and 27 percent identify themselves as Catholic.

• Two-thirds of all abortions are among never-married women.

• Over 60 percent of abortions are among women who have had 1 or more children.

• On average, women give at least 3 reasons for choosing abortion: 3/4 say that having a baby would interfere with work, school or other responsibilities; about 2/3 say they cannot afford a child; and 1/2 say they do not want to be a single parent or are having problems with their husband or partner.

Interestingly, I uncovered the statistic that in 1860, there were 160,000 abortions. This number represents more deaths than in the Korean and Viet Nam conflicts. It is also proportionally higher than the number of abortions today. I find it fascinating to hear some say today, “We are looking forward to making abortions safe, rare and legal.”

There are many passages of scripture which do not deal specifically with the word “abortion”, but does apply in principle and practice. Let’s quickly view several passages regarding life and death.

“And you shall not let any of your seed (children) pass through the fire to Molech, neither shall you profane the name of your God: I am the LORD.” Leviticus 18:21

“And they built the high places of Baal which are in the Valley of the Son of Hinnom, to cause their sons and their daughters to pass through the fire to Molech, which I did not command them, nor did it come into My mind that they should do this abomination, to cause Judah to sin.” Jeremiah 32:35

“O Lord, You have searched me and known me. For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well. My frame was not hidden from You, when I was made in secret, And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, the days fashioned for me, when as yet there were none of them.” Psalm 139:1, 13-16