The concept of "children yet to be born" is a significant theme in the Bible, reflecting God's sovereignty, the sanctity of life, and the continuity of His covenant promises. Throughout Scripture, unborn children are recognized as part of God's creation, with their lives and destinies known to Him even before birth.

Biblical Recognition of the Unborn

The Bible acknowledges the personhood and value of unborn children. In Psalm 139:13-16 , David praises God for His intimate involvement in the formation of life in the womb: "For You formed my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Marvelous are Your works, and I know this very well. My frame was not hidden from You when I was made in secret, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all my days were written in Your book and ordained for me before one of them came to be."

This passage highlights the belief that God is actively involved in the creation of life from the very beginning, attributing purpose and value to each individual even before birth.

Prophetic and Covenant Promises

The Bible often speaks of children yet to be born in the context of prophetic and covenantal promises. In Genesis 17:19 , God promises Abraham that his wife Sarah will bear a son, Isaac, through whom God's covenant will be established: "But God replied, 'Your wife Sarah will indeed bear you a son, and you are to name him Isaac. I will establish My covenant with him as an everlasting covenant for his descendants after him.'"

Similarly, the promise of a future Messiah is linked to the lineage of David, as seen in Isaiah 7:14 : "Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call Him Immanuel." This prophecy underscores the significance of unborn children in the unfolding of God's redemptive plan.

Moral and Ethical Considerations

The recognition of the unborn as valuable and known by God informs the moral and ethical considerations regarding the sanctity of life. In Exodus 21:22-25 , the law addresses the consequences of causing harm to a pregnant woman and her unborn child, indicating the seriousness with which such matters are regarded: "If men who are fighting strike a pregnant woman and her child is born prematurely but there is no further injury, he shall surely be fined as the woman’s husband demands and as the court allows. But if a serious injury results, then you must require a life for a life, eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth, hand for a hand, foot for a foot."

This passage reflects the principle of justice and the protection of life, emphasizing the value of both the mother and the unborn child.

Divine Knowledge and Purpose

The Bible also speaks to God's foreknowledge and purpose for individuals before they are born. In Jeremiah 1:5 , God declares to the prophet Jeremiah, "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as a prophet to the nations." This statement reveals that God's plans and purposes for individuals are established even before their birth, affirming the belief in divine intentionality and calling.

Conclusion

The biblical perspective on children yet to be born underscores the sanctity of life, the continuity of God's covenant promises, and the divine purpose inherent in each individual. Through various passages, Scripture affirms the value and personhood of the unborn, reflecting a worldview that upholds the dignity and worth of every human life from conception.