By Michael D. Daniels

Over 2,500 years ago, Moses warned Israel that the Canaanites had done, “…every abomination to the LORD, which he hateth… even their sons and their daughters they have burnt in the fire to their gods” (Deuteronomy 12:31). Moses then commanded, “There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire” (Deuteronomy 18:10).

And yet, we see over time that Israel slowly compromised with the peoples around them, incorporating elements of pagan religions, until finally, “…they caused their sons and their daughters to pass through the fire…” (2 Kings 17:17).

King Josiah tried to end it. He defiled Topheth in the Valley of the children of Hinnom so that no one could sacrifice their children to Molech there (2 Kings 23:10). He also tore down the high places. But the very next generation brought it back. His sons “did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD” and filled Jerusalem with innocent blood.

In the Bible, child sacrifice was the selfish and evil practice of murdering one’s own child on the altar of Molech in the high place of Baal—to ensure success.

Baal was the ancient false god of Canaan: the god of rain, harvest, and prosperity. The Canaanites believed when Baal was pleased, they would receive fertile land, surplus, and stability. Molech received the price they were willing to pay for it: their own children. Prosperity was the promise, and child sacrifice to Molech was the cost (Jeremiah 32:35).
Today, child sacrifice still takes place on the altar of “prosperity.” Molech may not be visible, but the act is still the same selfish and evil practice of murdering one’s own unborn child. It’s called abortion.

Paul wrote in his first letter to the Corinthians (10:20) “But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils.”

The same devils behind child sacrifices in ancient times—Baal and Molech—are the same devils behind child sacrifices today.

Paul later wrote to the Ephesians (5:11-12) “…have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.”

Our rightful horror at the killing of children can sometimes cause our hearts to grow cold toward the mothers. Though some knowingly and willingly choose abortion, many are deceived into it or feel compelled by fear, pressure, or circumstance. This is why we must speak the truth boldly while also reaching out with compassion, remembering that many are in desperate need of hope and guidance.

Imagine the emotional torment of the wives of King Ahaz—mothers who likely felt they had no choice or who forcibly had their children ripped from them in sacrifice to Molech (2 Chronicles 28). Today is no different. Society has taught mothers to forsake their God-given instinct to love and care for a child and instead sacrifice their children on the altars of career and education. There are no innocent parties in such murder, but these mothers have been deceived and compelled into this modern sacrifice, and Jesus wants them saved!
We must do our part to reach them. If you know a woman who’s been deceived in this way, have compassion on her and hand her Baby Talk or Adopted. Or if you know someone in the healthcare field who does not understand how God views this senseless act of murder, give them Who Murdered Clarice?