Infanticide. Babies born alive and yet set aside to die. Unwanted. Unloved. Unrecognized even of their own humanity because someone doesn’t claim them for their own. Sounds like a recent news headline. But there is nothing new under the sun when evil raises it’s head.
Ancient Ephesus had what is termed a “baby dump” right outside its main gate. It was a pagan society that was involved in all kinds of sexual immorality and when an unwanted child was born, it was discarded. The baby may have been a burden – too many mouths to feed, or threaten the inheritance, or get in the way of ambition. Or maybe the baby was just imperfect. Whatever the reason, you could just walk away from it.
Most of these infants would die of exposure. But some were picked up by the slave traders and raised into a trade such as pottery, sex, or domestic help. Once they were old enough, the child would be sold into bondage.
Ancient writings suggest that Jews and early Christians may also have picked up some of the babies – to rescue them. Not to be raised as slaves, but to be adopted into the family.
The apostle Paul walked past that baby dump as he entered into Ephesus on his second missionary journey. It is to the church in this city that he later wrote:
He predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will. Ephesians 1:5
Remember that in ancient society being adopted meant your status in the family was firm, unlike a natural born child that could be disowned. What did it say to the Ephesians when they read Paul’s letter? Did their mind picture the dump out of which a fortunate few were rescued?
Helpless and filthy, I need to remember from what I have been rescued – and just as importantly, the life I have been rescued to.
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