Expert: Pastor Don Carpenter - 10/5/2006

Question
My cousin and I was discussing about abortion and when life begins.  My question is, Is there a part in bible ( I read the King James edition) where man spilled his seed and God was angry with him? I know I read that somewhere but I just can't remember, old age I guess. Hahaha Thanks Pastor Don.

Answer
Hi Donna,

THanks for this great question.

Genesis 38:6-10
6 And Judah took a wife for Er his firstborn, whose name was Tamar. 7 And Er, Judah’s firstborn, was wicked in the sight of the LORD; and the LORD slew him. 8 And Judah said unto Onan, Go in unto thy brother’s wife, and marry her, and raise up seed to thy brother. 9 And Onan knew that the seed should not be his; and it came to pass, when he went in unto his brother’s wife, that he spilled it on the ground, lest that he should give seed to his brother. 10 And the thing which he did displeased the LORD: wherefore he slew him also.  
The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

The custom was if a woman became a widow, then the deceased's brother would marry that widow in order for the widow to have children that would provide for her when she is old.  Onan did not want to give his sister in law kids, so he married her according to custon, but when he had sex, would not allow her to get pregnant, leaving her destitute in her old age... that is why God was upset with him.  This is not a proof text against contraception.

I hope that this helps you.

In Christ
Pastor Don