Topical Encyclopedia
In the biblical narrative, the destruction of children is depicted as a severe form of divine judgment and punishment, often reflecting the gravity of sin and disobedience among the people. This theme is woven throughout the Scriptures, illustrating the consequences of turning away from God's commandments and the seriousness with which God views sin.
One of the most poignant examples is found in the account of the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. In
Genesis 19, the cities are destroyed by fire and brimstone due to their grievous sins. Although the text does not explicitly mention children, the total destruction of these cities implies the loss of all inhabitants, including children, as a result of the pervasive wickedness.
In the book of Exodus, the final plague that God inflicts upon Egypt is the death of the firstborn (
Exodus 11:4-6). This act of judgment is a direct response to Pharaoh's hardened heart and refusal to release the Israelites from bondage. The death of the firstborn, including children, serves as a powerful demonstration of God's sovereignty and the dire consequences of defying His will.
The prophetic literature also contains references to the destruction of children as a form of punishment. In
Hosea 13:16, the prophet declares, "Samaria will bear her guilt, for she has rebelled against her God. They will fall by the sword; their little ones will be dashed to pieces, and their pregnant women ripped open." This graphic imagery underscores the severity of Israel's rebellion and the resulting divine judgment.
Similarly, in the book of Jeremiah, the prophet warns of the impending destruction due to the people's persistent idolatry and disobedience.
Jeremiah 19:7-9 describes a time when the siege of Jerusalem will lead to such desperation that parents will resort to cannibalism of their own children. This horrific scenario is presented as a consequence of the nation's unfaithfulness to God.
The New Testament also alludes to the theme of children suffering as a result of divine judgment. In
Matthew 2:16-18, King Herod orders the massacre of all male children in Bethlehem two years old and under, in an attempt to kill the newborn Jesus. While this act is carried out by a human ruler, it fulfills the prophecy of Jeremiah, highlighting the tragic consequences of sin and the fulfillment of God's sovereign plan.
Throughout these accounts, the destruction of children serves as a sobering reminder of the seriousness of sin and the far-reaching impact of divine judgment. It reflects the biblical principle that sin affects not only the individual but also the community and future generations. The Scriptures consistently call for repentance and obedience to God as the means to avert such devastating consequences.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Leviticus 26:22I will also send wild beasts among you, which shall rob you of your children, and destroy your cattle, and make you few in number; and your high ways shall be desolate.
Torrey's Topical TextbookEzekiel 9:6
Slay utterly old and young, both maids, and little children, and women: but come not near any man on whom is the mark; and begin at my sanctuary. Then they began at the ancient men which were before the house.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Luke 19:44
And shall lay you even with the ground, and your children within you; and they shall not leave in you one stone on another; because you knew not the time of your visitation.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Library
The Destruction of Babylon.
... The punishment of Babylon is proportioned to her wickedness, and ... the loss of her
most devoted children, who have ... Her final destruction is, however, to be entire ...
/.../bliss/a brief commentary on the apocalypse/the destruction of babylon.htm
Destruction and Help
... mainly this"to convince His wandering children that to ... Israel's destruction arose
from the fact of Israel ... An earthly father suffers more punishment than he ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/destruction and help.htm
Antipater is Accused Before Varus, and is Convicted of Laying a ...
... of the Jews or History of the Destruction of Jerusalem. ... Herod Puts Off His Punishment
Till He Should Be ... sorts of calamity for begetting such children; while yet ...
/.../chapter 32 antipater is accused.htm
Christ's Work of Destruction and Deliverance. Rev. John H. James.
... I. AS IT IS A WORK OF DESTRUCTION. ... that now worketh in the hearts of the children
of disobedience ... that her offence would be visited with the punishment of death ...
/.../the wesleyan methodist pulpit in malvern/christs work of destruction and.htm
The Surrender of Gischala; While John Flies Away from it to ...
... And indeed there was a miserable destruction made of the ... came out to him, with their
children and wives ... rest of those that were for innovations to punishment. ...
/.../chapter 2 the surrender of.htm
The Destruction of Jerusalem.
... His blood be on us, and on our children."(45 ... The destruction of Jerusalem is a fearful
and solemn warning ... hatred of sin, and to the certain punishment that will ...
/.../1 the destruction of jerusalem.htm
The Destruction of Jerusalem
... His blood be on us, and on our children." Matthew 27 ... The destruction of Jerusalem
is a fearful and solemn warning ... of sin and to the certain punishment that will ...
/.../white/the great controversy/chapter 1 the destruction of.htm
The Third Passage. It is one Thing to Depart, and Another Thing to ...
... God looked down from heaven upon the children of men ... there are certain persons
predestinated to destruction than in regard to their punishment, not their sin ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter xiii 31 the third passage.htm
Destruction of Jerusalem Foretold.
... and the father his child; and children shall rise up ... The destruction of a saint's
body would work no ... of Jerusalem was divinely sentenced to punishment for her ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/cxiii destruction of jerusalem foretold.htm
The Wars of the Jews or History of the Destruction of Jerusalem
... Of Herod's Marriages, And Children. ... Herod Puts Off His Punishment Till He Should
Be Recovered ... Battle With Sabinus's Soldiers, And A Great Destruction Is Made At ...
/.../josephus/the wars of the jews or history of the destruction of jerusalem/
Resources
What does the Bible say about disrespectful children? | GotQuestions.orgDoes God expect all of us to have children? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about the evangelization of children? | GotQuestions.orgChildren: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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