The Ten Commandments or Decalogue have been held by Americans to be the symbol of God's law to mankind. In an earlier era they were found in almost every court of this great land. The Sixth Commandment reads, "Thou shalt not kill" (Exodus 20:13). They were authored by the Lord and delivered to Israel by Moses at Sinai in about 1450 BC. How does "Thou shalt not kill" relate to abortion in today's world?
Some modern speech versions of the Bible correctly translate this commandment of God, "You must not murder." (Living Bible, Etc.). In the context of the day it obviously did not have the almost universal application that some would have it. For example, a soldier might kill another in the heat of battle but he has not committed murder and has not violated the Sixth Commandment! King David was a man after God's own heart (Acts 13:21-22) and was, at the same time, a great warrior. In fact, during the reign of king Saul, a popular ballad carried the words, "Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands" (1 Samuel 18:7-8). Self defense has never been considered murder. Jesus, in sending forth his disciples at the Last Supper, gave this little known advice, "and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one" (Luke 22:35-38).
If we let the Bible speak, abortion is murder. In God's eyes (Exodus 21:22-25), when an unborn child is killed - the perfect justice system of God's Law should come into force, "thou shalt give life for life, Eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, Burning for burning, wound for wound, stripe for stripe."
The foundation of capitol punishment, much to the mortification of many modern clerics, is laid down by God. In His covenant with mankind after the flood, God decreed concerning murder, "surely your blood of your lives will I require; at the hand of every beast will I require it, and at the hand of man; at the hand of every man's brother will I require the life of man. Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man" (Geneses 9:4-6).
In conclusion, God's commandment, Thou shalt not kill (Exodus 20:13) applies to the unborn and well as the born. Will you let God's revealed word rule in your life? In the final judgment day God will not say, "Well done!" unless you have done well! Jesus said, "If ye love me, keep my commandments" (John 14:15).
Dale I. Royal
Elk City OK
"And afterward they desired a king: and God gave unto them Saul the son of Cis, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, by the space of forty years." "And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave their testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will."
