The speaker went on to say that there have been 57 to 58 million reported abortions in the U.S. Not all states make it mandatory to report abortions, so the number is no doubt much higher than that. That is at least 57 to 58 million lives taken -- much innocent blood shed. She asked if we did not think that God would just wipe away this nation for those lives and for that bloodshed. She said someone had remarked to her that they believed the Pregnancy Resource Centers scattered all across the U.S. and those standing in the gap to try to save these innocent lives, is the only thing holding back God’s judgment on this nation. That may be true, at least in regard to His judgment for the shedding of innocent blood. (See Isaiah 59:1-17)
Manasseh was a very wicked king of Judah. He “shed innocent blood very much, till he had filled Jerusalem from one end to another.” (II Kings 21:16)
After Manasseh, Amon reigned as king. He also did evil in the sight of the Lord. He reigned only two years. After Amon, Josiah began to reign when he was eight years old. Josiah feared the Lord and taught the people to fear Him too. He broke down the idols and the places of worship of false gods. He took away the high places and slew the priests of the high places.
Josiah observed the Passover and led the people to do the same.
Josiah put away all the abominations:
Workers with familiar spirits
Wizards
Images
Idols
“And like unto him was there no king before him, that turned to the LORD with all his heart, and with all his soul, and with all his might, according to all the law of Moses; neither after him arose there any like him.” (II Kings 23:25)
“Notwithstanding the LORD turned not from the fierceness of his great wrath, wherewith his anger was kindled against Judah, because of all the provocations that Manasseh had provoked him withal.” (verse 26)
“3Surely at the commandment of the LORD came this upon Judah, to remove them out of his sight, for the sins of Manasseh, according to all that he did; 4And also for the innocent blood that he shed: for he filled Jerusalem with innocent blood; which the LORD would not pardon.” (II Kings 24:3,4)
There are other examples in Scripture of people who shed innocent blood. Sadly, they faced irreversible consequences.
1. II Samuel 12:9 – David
David killed Uriah the Hittite in an attempt to cover up his (David’s) sins.
David’s child died, though he earnestly besought the Lord and fasted for the child.
2. Psalm 94:20-24 – The wicked
Those who shed innocent blood, the Lord will bring upon them their own iniquity and cut them off in their own wickedness.
3. Psalm 106:32-42 – The Israelites
Because they had shed innocent blood, God abhorred His own inheritance.
God gave them up into the hands of their enemies who oppressed them.
Proverbs 16:17
The shedding of innocent blood is abomination to God.
Jeremiah 7:6 and 22:3
Commands not to shed innocent blood
7:6 – blessings for obedient to those commands
Jeremiah 22:14-18
The shedding of innocent blood begins with a look and a thought. It has been committed already in the mind and heart before any physical action has taken place.
4. The Israelites
If they killed Jeremiah (shed innocent blood), the guilt and the consequences would be upon not only the ones who actually did the killing but also upon the whole city and its inhabitants. (Jeremiah 26:15)
5. Joel 3:19 – Egypt and Edom
Egypt – a desolation
Edom – a desolate wilderness
because
Of their violence against the children of Judah
because
They had shed innocent blood in their land.
This shedding of innocent blood affected their whole land.
6. Jonah 1:14-16 – The men in the ship
The men in the ship besought the Lord not to lay innocent blood (Jonah’s) upon them as they cast Jonah overboard at Jonah’s order.
7. Matthew 27:4,5 – Judas
Judas betrayed Jesus, the truly innocent blood.
He was crushed over his sin but did not repent. Instead he went out and hanged himself. His sin was carried with him to the grave, and he bears the guilt of it forever.
Truly, the shedding of blood is a serious and fearful thing, the consequences of which are never erased.
God, have mercy on America!