This will ensure that the land where you live will not be polluted, for murder pollutes the land. And no sacrifice except the execution of the murderer can purify the land from murder. You must not defile the land where you live, for I live there myself. I am the LORD, who lives among the people of Israel.” [Numbers 35.33-34]
For all my observations that God's power is not seen in the world and the Church, perhaps no Scripture more definitively explains why than the one above.
Let's discuss this in light of abortion.
On their website, the World Health Organization cites this information regarding abortion (https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/abortion):
Around 73 million induced abortions take place worldwide each year. Six out of 10 (61%) of all unintended pregnancies, and 3 out of 10 (29%) of all pregnancies, end in induced abortion (1).
1. Bearak J, Popinchalk A, Ganatra B, Moller A-B, Tunçalp Ö, Beavin C et al. Unintended pregnancy and abortion by income, region, and the legal status of abortion: estimates from a comprehensive model for 1990–2019. Lancet Glob Health. 2020 Sep; 8(9):e1152-e1161. doi: 10.1016/S2214-109X(20)30315-6.
If murder pollutes the land and abortion is murder, then the world is in a bad way for two reasons: one, God lives among His people. And, if so, His holiness demands retribution and could explain all manner of curses upon the world. Two, if God removes Himself from the world because of its pollution, then there is no "balm in Gilead" for anyone. Neither of these conditions are desirable and either of them could be argued as evident in the world today.
How much more could we need Jesus than now? Jesus brings us to God through forgiveness. But if we console ourselves that abortion is okay and do not repent, then, there is no forgiveness, there is no salvation, there is no eternity with God.
Remember Joshua and Caleb?
Two of the men who had explored the land, Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, tore their clothing. [Numbers 14.6]
They tore their clothing in repentance for the bad report of the others even though Joshua and Caleb had nothing to do with it. Because they were part of the team and part of the greater nation of Israel, they rightly took it upon themselves to repent on behalf of all.
Considering abortion as murder (which it is), those who believe it is wrong, even though they do not participate in it, should repent. It is all of our problem. Yes, we should speak clearly against it (as Joshua and Caleb spoke against doubt and fear regarding entering the Promised Land), but that should only come following repentance.
Father, may Your people see the murderous society in which we live as it is defined by abortion. Father, forgive us! Father, may our voices being heard only after our own repentance. May we have eyes to see our dereliction toward the Law of God evidenced by abortion. Renew our vision and passion to please You.
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