KINGDOM ARTICE OF INTEREST
GOD’S VALUE OF HUMAN LIFE
by Robert D Pace
Humans made in the image of God are without peer in creation. Consider your worth as you read God’s assessment of human value in Zechariah 12:1. “The oracle of the word of the LORD concerning Israel: Thus declares the LORD, who stretched out the heavens and founded the earth and formed the spirit of man within him.”
The prophet begins by calling his message an “oracle,” which describes a proclamation of consequential import. Then, without pause, he thunders forth a double emphasis by exclaiming, “Thus declares the LORD.” God wanted it indisputably clear that his message must not be ignored! So what is this edict that looms large for the ages?
At first glance, Zechariah 12:1 seems hardly the Scripture for defending the sanctity of human life. But as is often the case, the Holy Spirit’s disclosures go initially undetected. In this case, the Spirit of Revelation discloses his value upon human life by asserting two aspects of his creative power. He claims that he “stretched out the heavens” and he “formed the spirit of man within him.” Imagine it like this: The God who flung forth stars by the trillions, also gently constructs a tiny human spirit as the gestating baby takes shape within the mother. It’s incredible that God uniquely and intricately fashions the human spirit. And David agrees with this description of human development. He writes: “For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. (14) I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.” (Psalm 139:13—14) [ESV]
Now, when you carefully read Zechariah 12:1, you understand that God calculates one human life to be of greater value than the trillions of twinkling stars in the heavens! Moreover, where does the twisted hand of flesh gain its right to destroy the life of humans divinely fashioned in God’s image?
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