Solomon’s Wise Judgment — 1 Kings 3:16-28
"Then the woman whose son was living spoke to the king, for she yearned with compassion for her son; and she said, “O my lord, give her the living child, and by no means kill him!” But the other said, “Let him be neither mine nor yours, but divide him.” So the king answered and said, “Give the first woman the living child, and by no means kill him; she is his mother.” And all Israel heard of the judgment which the king had rendered; and they feared the king, for they saw that the wisdom of God was in him to administer justice." ~1 Kings 3:26-28
Recently, I was challenged to express more deeply my stance when it comes to the case for life, specifically pertaining to abortion and the life of the unborn. This is in no way meant to condemn mothers who have found themselves facing abortion. Nor in anyway does this reflection express that a mother’s life is somehow less important. Yet, we know that there has been much controversial conversation over those who cannot speak for themselves; those who have no voice, many times.
As a board-certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, the majority of my young life, and into my professional career, my heart has been for children and doing whatever I can to make sure they receive the best care possible. This passion has extended into those who are both pre-born and the growing children in our society. In our current political climate, my heart aches to see justice for those who often are unable to speak for themselves.
As I pen these thoughts, please know that this is not meant to be insensitive to those who have been in difficult situations when it comes to the life of the pre-born. Nor is this stance purposely highlighting a political candidate or party. However, we know, on a societal level, that there is a lot of rhetoric that is thrown around that often minimizes the life of those who have not yet left the womb, no matter their current timeline or future timeline.
Yet, we must also recognize that there has been a deep level of injustice for those who are not able to receive justice for themselves — for those who did not decide when they would come into this world or under what circumstances. Regardless of how, once they arrive, it is our utmost responsibility to give them that chance to enter, grow into the individual they are destined to be, and the visionary impact they are destined to have. And, again, this is not to be insensitive to those who have found themselves faced with horrific circumstances, but it is also to challenge some of the societal norms that make it seem as if it’s okay to not take into account those who also deserve to be extended “liberty and justice for all.”
Some of the thoughts and questions I have found myself pondering recently include:
Why do some, in one breath, support abortion, yet we still require folic acid and prenatal vitamins to promote a healthy pregnancy?
Why do we mourn for a miscarriage, but celebrate a woman’s “choice” to voluntary abort her pre-born child?
How can we say “let the woman decide,” when many of us, male and female alike, can often be coerced into making rash decisions and irrational decisions because of pressure, fear, and everything else?
Why do we counsel a pregnant mother to not drink, smoke, or use drugs, and many have even be classified as neglectful, and have children removed from their care because of the effects inflicted on the child in-utero, but not be concerned about the “choice” that women should be allowed to make (and many times may be forced to make) surrounding voluntary abortion?
Why are we appalled if a woman is in a hit and run (rightly so), and then further grieved when we find out she was pregnant (also rightly so)? Yet, we don’t feel just as appalled when we find out a baby was aborted up to 19 weeks 6 days (according to “typical” medical clinics), especially knowing when that baby’s major organs are developing from 6 weeks fertilization?
Even Solomon, as referenced above, proved himself to be wise when he executed justice when it came to two women who fought over who accidentally smothered their child in their sleep. Solomon, in his divine wisdom and justice, posed a controversial solution, “just cut the baby in half and give a half to each one.” Now, if we are honest, we would absolutely find this absurd and just ridiculous, but yet the mother, the true mother, also recognized the horror of this option, and decided that she would rather give her baby away than bear to see her baby harmed. It was in that moment that Solomon also brought to light the truth in the matter. This scenario, in my opinion, should cause all of us to pause and think about many things.
I leave us with this thought, the golden rule says “do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” Doesn’t that constitute the life that is forming, too? Doesn’t that constitute the life that did not ask to be here, but deserves every chance to stay, no matter what stage? Wouldn’t you want to fight for the first breath just as much as you would want to fight for the last breath?
I know many of these questions may be left unanswered, and there may be many who come across this post and decide that our thoughts do not align. I also know there are so many issues and concerns in this world, and some that will burden others more than the ones that burden another. Yet, I must move on the convictions I feel bubbling up inside, knowing that things must change, for both our current and future generations. May these words be heard with openness and consideration as we look deeply into how we can continue to be an impact for others (both those heard and those not heard) as we dare to be influentially visionary.
"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: 13-16
Comments