Ask Mr Bible

 “And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda;  And entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth. And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost: And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord” (Luke 1:39-45).

Never in the history of childbirth did two expectant mothers have more to talk about than these two women.

1. Here was Elisabeth, well past the childbearing years, but anticipating a baby.
2. Here was Mary, a young virgin, but now with child.  This was the case because “with God nothing shall be impossible” (Luke 1:37).

It should be noted that Elisabeth’s unborn child is referred to twice as “the babe” (Luke 1:41, 44), indicating Scripture’s position on abortion.  From the beginning, John was not looked upon as a developing mass of human tissue or a fetus, but as “the babe.”

Let me contrast this passage with the present day abortion holocaust—

But what about a therapeutic abortion?  Consider the following:  A therapeutic abortion occurs when a pregnant woman is persuaded (often by her doctor) that her unborn child presents an emotional or mental threat to her general well-being.  Therefore, the most practical and painless solution (for the mother at least) is simply to kill the offending baby.  There are two well-known instances in history in which this attitude toward unborn human life could certainly have been applied.

The first case involved that of an older woman, the wife of a respected religious leader, living in a large southern city.  Present-day advice to her would have been:  “Do you really feel it wise to complete this birth?  Consider your age.  The psychological strain upon you will be much greater than it would be to this infant?  I mean, it might even affect your relationship with your husband.  No, all things considered, it would be far better to terminate the potential problem right now.”

The second case had to do with a teenage girl, engaged to a struggling young tradesman, living in a small northern town.  Here there could be no doubt.  A quick abortion would immediately solve the embarrassment and downright hostility which would certainly develop if the unborn baby was not destroyed.

Two simple and clear-cut cases for the therapeutic abortion.  Not quite.  Could even the most calloused present-day abortion mill operator stomach the thought of Elisabeth (the older woman) and Mary (the teenager) with trembling hands and hearts awaiting the sharp instrument of some ancient abortionist?

Was it the only one in the Bible?

No, but it was indeed the only truly unique one.  To explain:

● The supernatural conception and birth of other sons of man.  God touched the barren wombs of the following women:

1. Sarah, who gave birth to Isaac (Gen. 21:1-3)
2. Rebekah, who gave birth to Esau and Jacob (Gen. 25:21)
3. Leah, who gave birth to Issachar (Gen. 30:9, 18)
4. Rachel, who gave birth to Joseph (Gen. 30:22)
5. Manoah’s wife, who gave birth to Samson (Judg. 13:3, 24)
6. Hannah, who gave birth to Samuel (1 Sam. 1:2, 11, 19, 20)
7. Elisabeth, who gave birth to John (Luke 1:7, 13, 24, 25)

● The unique conception and birth of the Son of God
 
1. This was the only birth where the baby had previously existed (John 8:58)
2. This was the only birth where no earthly father was involved (Luke 1:35)
3. This was the only birth where God took upon Himself human flesh (John 1:14)