What does Jeremiah 32:35 reveal about God's view on child sacrifice practices? Setting the Scene Jeremiah ministers during Judah’s final decades before the Babylonian exile. The nation has borrowed horrific practices—chief among them sacrificing children to pagan deities. Jeremiah 32 chronicles the impending siege of Jerusalem and God’s promise of future restoration, but verse 35 pauses to expose Judah’s most shocking sin. The Text “They built the high places of Baal in the Valley of Ben-hinnom to sacrifice their sons and daughters to Molech, which I had never commanded them, nor had it even entered My mind, that they should do such an abomination and cause Judah to sin.” (Jeremiah 32:35) Key Observations • High places of Baal and the Valley of Ben-hinnom (Gehenna) form the ghastly backdrop. • “Sacrifice their sons and daughters” underscores the literal burning of infants. • God declares He “never commanded” this, “nor had it even entered My mind,” emphasizing total inconceivability. • He labels it “an abomination,” revealing absolute moral repulsion. • The sin causes Judah to stumble corporately—child sacrifice isn’t private; it poisons the whole nation. God’s Unchanging Standard Scripture consistently condemns child sacrifice: • Leviticus 18:21—“You must not give any of your children to sacrifice to Molech.” • Leviticus 20:2-5—capital offense, contaminating the land. • Deuteronomy 12:31—God “hates” the practice. • 2 Kings 17:17; Psalm 106:37-38—bloodshed defiles the nation. • Ezekiel 16:20-21—calls it “slaughter,” exposing the lie that God wants such gifts. Theological Insights • God’s character: utterly opposed to violence against the innocent (Proverbs 6:16-17). • Worship boundaries: True worship aligns with divine revelation, not cultural trends. • Sanctity of life: Children belong to God (Psalm 127:3); destroying them assaults the Creator. • Judgment and mercy: God judges Judah but still promises restoration (Jeremiah 32:36-44), showcasing both holiness and covenant faithfulness. Practical Takeaways • Reject every form of violence that masquerades as spirituality. • Guard against cultural pressures that contradict Scripture’s clear commands. • Value and protect children as gifts entrusted by God. • Remember that national sin invites national consequences, yet repentance and faith open the door to mercy. |
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