God Imagers: How God Shapes a People to Look like Him

God’s Distinguishing Rules, part 2: Exodus 21:22-36; 22:1-15

Weekly Quiet Time and Small Group Study

In my sermon, I gave one piece of evidence that the Bible is pro-life. In this quiet time, we explore that
evidence some more as well as learn many additional evidences for this truth.

Thursday, April 10
1. The womb is represented in Scripture as a potential grave. Jeremiah 20:14-17; Proverbs 30:16

2. One of the most horrific crimes in the Bible is “to rip open a pregnant woman.” 2 Kings 8:12; Hosea 13:16;
Amos 1:13

3. To cause the premature delivery and death of a baby is murder. Exodus 21:22-23

Note evidence:

-not ‘she gives birth prematurely’ but literally ‘her children come forth’ so the nearest antecedent to
injury is children not mother
-‘there is no serious injury’; if it’s mother, then why not – she isn’t seriously injured or there is not
serious injury to her. Notice v 18 “and he does not die” not “and there is no death.”
-what comes forth – children; same word used many times in the OT for young children (e.g., Exod 2:6,
Moses in basket)
-note the punishment is life for life

Friday, April 11
4. It is only God who can open the womb (not chance). Gen 29:31; 30:22; 49:25; Deut 7:13; 28:4; 30:9

5. Conversely, it is only God who should close the womb. Gen 20:18; 30:2; Deut 28:8; 1 Sam 1:5-6

6. God determines who is in the womb (and how many). Gen 16:11; 18:10; 25:23; Luke 1:13

Saturday, April 12
7. God actively designs the baby in the womb.

- ‘to form’ Psalm 33:15; 94:9; Isa 43:7; 44:2,24; 49:5; Jer 1:5; Zech 12:1 (within the first couple of
weeks, heart cells begin to beat; within the 1st trimester, hearing, seeing, breathing, swallowing,
urination, dreams)
- ‘to make’ Job 31:15 (Noah made the ark, Gen 8:6; building of tabernacle, Exod 25-27, building of
Solomon’s temple, 1 Kgs 6-7, God made the world, Gen 1-2)
- ‘to prepare’ Job 31:15 (Exod 19, Israelites prepare for Sinai experience; 2 Chron 35, Levites prepare
to serve in Temple; 1 Kings 2:45 David’s throne established)
- ‘to cover’ Psalm 139:13-14 (Ark covered by veil, Exod 40:3; Lord covered by a cloud, Lam 3:44 –
veiled glory!) We are veiled in womb until our triumphant exit.
 - ‘to embroider’ Psalm 139:15 (fine needlework of curtains in tabernacle, Exod 26-29; see Exod
26:36)
- ‘to complete’ Eccl 11:5

8. God brings the baby out of the womb. Job 10:18; Psalm 22:9; Isa 66:9

9. The word of baby in the womb is the same word for newborn baby outside of the womb.

Cp Luke 1:41 with 2;12,16; 18:15; 1 Peter 2:2

Cp Gen 25:22 with 27:29

Monday, April 14
10. It is understood in Scripture that those who conceive will give birth (not abort). Hos 9:11; Psalm 7:14; Job
15:35; Isa 33:11; 59:4,13; James 1:15

11. No one in the Bible ever views pregnancy as a curse. Gen 4:1; 21:6-7; 29:32-35; 35:16-18; 2 Sam 11:5
(even pregnancies that occur from tragedies).

12. God enables conception to occur. Ruth 4:13; Heb 11:11

Tuesday, April 15
13. The incarnation began at conception. Matt 1:20 (not at 4 wks, 4 mos. or at viability, but at conception)

14. The word for bereavement (death of a loved one) in the OT is the same word used for miscarriage -- For
bereavement – Gen 27:45; 42:36; 43:14; Lev 26:22; 1 Sam 15:33; Lam 1:20. For miscarriage – Gen 31:38;
Exod 23:26; Job 21:10; Hos 9:14.

Spend some time praying for these things: (1) that our nation would finally recognize abortion for what it is –
the taking of innocent life; (2) that women in crisis pregnancies would begin to choose life; (3) that places like
our own Mary’s House and Christian pregnancy centers would be beacons of life and hope; (4) that churches
would put their money where their mouth is and support life and the mothers who choose it; (5) that women
who have had abortions would call out to the Father of mercy and receive His forgiveness and cleansing; (6)
that women trying to get pregnant but without success would find comfort in the arms of God, trust in His
timing, and pray for His will; (7) that families would consider the blessing of adopting.