What Does the Bible Say About Miscarriage?
Miscarriage is an incredibly difficult situation. I can’t imagine the pain and sorrow felt by the mother and father who were expecting a baby.
I’m writing this article to give some insight on miscarriage and what the Bible says about it. I haven’t dealt with miscarriage personally, but I’ve found that turning to the word of God during difficult situations can provide helpful insights.
My hope is that this answers some of your questions and helps you understand the heart of God.
Bible verses about miscarriage
The Bible doesn’t say a lot about miscarriage, but there are a few verses on the topic:
“No one shall suffer miscarriage or be barren in your land; I will fulfill the number of your days.” Exodus 23:26
This first verse in Exodus 26 is a promise from God that no women will suffer from miscarriage or infertility. The previous verse also says God will take away sickness from the people. Here, we can see that the Bible acknowledges miscarriage is something that people suffer from– it’s a painful situation.
The second verse is a direct contradiction of God’s promise to prevent miscarriage.
“Give them, Lord—what will you give them? Give them wombs that miscarry and breasts that are dry.” Hosea 9:14 NKJV
Prior to this, God says “The time of Israel’s punishment has come; the day of payment is here.” (v. 7).
Here, it’s important to note that God is no longer judging people for their sin in this manner. The entirety of God’s judgment was placed upon Jesus when He was on the cross (Hebrews 7:27; Isaiah 53:8). That doesn’t mean you won’t experience any consequences for your sinful decisions. Rather, God is not punishing people in the same manner as we see in the Old Testament.
Jeremiah 1:5 says that God knows us before He makes us in our mother’s womb. Psalm 139:13-15 says that God knits us together in the womb, and watches over us as we’re formed.
Is miscarriage a punishment from God?
It breaks my heart that I need to answer this question.
Based on a handful of verses in the Old Testament, we might assume that miscarriage is a curse from God. Today, that is not true. God doesn’t cause you, or anyone, to miscarry their child. Miscarriage is not a punishment or curse from God. He is not angry at you or trying to teach you a lesson.
God loves you, and loves your unborn children. He did not create life to destroy it prematurely.
The theology that tells you miscarriage is God’s punishment is wicked and doesn’t understand that heart of God.
John 10:10 tells us that Jesus came to earth to give us life. And the devil comes only to steal, kill, and destroy. Lamentations 3:33 says that God doesn’t willingly bring affliction or grief to anyone.
Who’s fingerprints are on a miscarriage? The devil’s.
His only job is to steal, kill, and destroy. This is because we are made in the image of God, which the devil hates. Revelation 12:12 says that God cast the devil out of Heaven, and now he’s on earth with great anger because he knows his time is short. Revelation 12:17 says that the devil declared war with all of humanity.
While we’re here living on earth, we’re caught in the middle of a war. In that war, we are going to deal with loss, sickness, death, and disappointment.
Some good news is that God didn’t leave us to fight this war unarmed.
Jesus has given us as believers the power and authority to cancel the evil plans of the enemy. The same Holy Spirit that raised Christ from the dead lives within us (Romans 8:11). We can pray with power and authority and fight against the schemes of the devil.
I don’t have all of the answers as to why miscarriages happen. Paul explains in 1 Corinthians 13:12 that while we’re on earth, we see everything like we’re looking through a dimly lit mirror. We will never understand everything until we get to heaven.
I can say with confidence that miscarriage and death is not a punishment from God.
Healing after a miscarriage
God never promised that He would be the Great Preventer and stop every bad thing from happening. What God does promise is that He will cause everything to work out for our good.
Even though God was not the author of the miscarriage, He is present with us and offers comfort and healing. One of the reasons the Holy Spirit was sent to earth was to comfort us.
“And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever.”
John 14:16 KJV
The Greek word for Comforter is parakletos, meaning “One who is called to our side.”
We know that God will be by our side in difficult times, and we should look to Him and our community for healing.
“The LORD is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.”
Psalm 34:18 NLT
“God blesses you who weep now, for in due time you will laugh.”
Luke 6:21 NLT
“And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”
Revelation 21:4 NKJV
“The lowly he sets on high, and those who mourn are lifted to safety.”
Job 5:11 NIV
“My flesh and my heart may fail, But God is the rock and strength of my heart and my portion forever.”
Psalm 73:26 AMP
