Does a loving God purposely form people in the womb with birth defects?
John 9:2-3 And His disciples asked Him, saying, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" Jesus answered, "Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him.
Exodus 4:11 The LORD said to him, "Who gave man his mouth? Who makes him deaf or mute? Who gives him sight or makes him blind? Is it not I, the LORD?
To me, there are a couple ways of looking at these verses.
If we connect these two verses together it would seem that God does purposely form people in the womb with birth defects but if we look at these two verses separately and try not to add to the verses things that are not being said I believe we can get a better understanding.
Let's start with John 9:2-3 first.
John 9:2-3 And His disciples asked Him, saying, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" Jesus answered, "Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him.
Even though we read into these verses how God formed this man blind in the womb Jesus never says God formed the man in the womb blind. Are people born with birth defects? Yes they are... Does God abort them knowing that they will be born blind? No... Can God use birth defects and trageties to reveal His love and power after the fact by bringing good out of evil? Yes He can...
Isaiah 61:3 To console those who mourn in Zion, To give them beauty for ashes, The oil of joy for mourning, The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; That they may be called trees of righteousness, The planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified."
I believe the man was born blind because sin enter into God's perfect world and brought sickness and death, not because of anything an unborn child has done. God allowed this child to be born blind knowing full well that the child was blind in the womb. God does the same for murders and child molesters. He knows the free will choices we will make and yet He still allows us to experience the blessings of life in hopes that we would see His goodnss and repent.
Romans 2:4 Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?
God allowed the child to be born blind and then later healed that blindness to show His glory and ability to turn beauty from ashes.
Now regarding Exodus 4:11.
Exodus 4:11 The LORD said to him, "Who gave man his mouth? Who makes him deaf or mute? Who gives him sight or makes him blind? Is it not I, the LORD?
Here we have Moses giving excuses as to why he can't speak for God. God then tells Moses how He can make people deaf, blind and mute and He can give them sight or make them blind all after the fact. Has God made people blide and mute after the fact for a purpose? Yes He has...
Acts 9:8-9 Then Saul arose from the ground, and when his eyes were opened he saw no one. But they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank.
Luke 1:21-22 And the people waited for Zacharias, and marveled that he lingered so long in the temple. When he came out, he could not speak to them. They realized he had seen a vision in the temple, for he kept making signs to them but remained unable to speak.
It does not say that God forms them in the womb blind or deaf but it does say He makes people blind, deaf and mute after the fact for a purpose.
It all boils down to what you choose to believe about the character of God.
John 9:2-3 And His disciples asked Him, saying, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" Jesus answered, "Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him.
Exodus 4:11 The LORD said to him, "Who gave man his mouth? Who makes him deaf or mute? Who gives him sight or makes him blind? Is it not I, the LORD?
To me, there are a couple ways of looking at these verses.
If we connect these two verses together it would seem that God does purposely form people in the womb with birth defects but if we look at these two verses separately and try not to add to the verses things that are not being said I believe we can get a better understanding.
Let's start with John 9:2-3 first.
John 9:2-3 And His disciples asked Him, saying, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" Jesus answered, "Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him.
Even though we read into these verses how God formed this man blind in the womb Jesus never says God formed the man in the womb blind. Are people born with birth defects? Yes they are... Does God abort them knowing that they will be born blind? No... Can God use birth defects and trageties to reveal His love and power after the fact by bringing good out of evil? Yes He can...
Isaiah 61:3 To console those who mourn in Zion, To give them beauty for ashes, The oil of joy for mourning, The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; That they may be called trees of righteousness, The planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified."
I believe the man was born blind because sin enter into God's perfect world and brought sickness and death, not because of anything an unborn child has done. God allowed this child to be born blind knowing full well that the child was blind in the womb. God does the same for murders and child molesters. He knows the free will choices we will make and yet He still allows us to experience the blessings of life in hopes that we would see His goodnss and repent.
Romans 2:4 Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?
God allowed the child to be born blind and then later healed that blindness to show His glory and ability to turn beauty from ashes.
Now regarding Exodus 4:11.
Exodus 4:11 The LORD said to him, "Who gave man his mouth? Who makes him deaf or mute? Who gives him sight or makes him blind? Is it not I, the LORD?
Here we have Moses giving excuses as to why he can't speak for God. God then tells Moses how He can make people deaf, blind and mute and He can give them sight or make them blind all after the fact. Has God made people blide and mute after the fact for a purpose? Yes He has...
Acts 9:8-9 Then Saul arose from the ground, and when his eyes were opened he saw no one. But they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank.
Luke 1:21-22 And the people waited for Zacharias, and marveled that he lingered so long in the temple. When he came out, he could not speak to them. They realized he had seen a vision in the temple, for he kept making signs to them but remained unable to speak.
It does not say that God forms them in the womb blind or deaf but it does say He makes people blind, deaf and mute after the fact for a purpose.
It all boils down to what you choose to believe about the character of God.
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at least its an interesting verse in the bible,
