Spiritual Exercise, 22nd May 2020

In Old Testament times the people had no faith in a resurrection after death. The Old Testament often referred to Sheol or the underworld as the place where the departed would gather. There is a reference after the Babylonian exile, of a belief that there would be a resurrection of the dead (see Daniel 12:2). It is only in the New Testament, after the sacrifice and resurrection of Jesus that believers have the living hope of inheriting the Kingdom of God. Usually the funerals took place immediately after dying, even on the same day. This could have been due to the hot climate. The only exception would be if it happened on the Sabbath day or another Holy Day. They usually washed the bodies, wrapped them in linen and carried them to a cave. It was regarded as shameful not to bury the bodies of the departed.  Mourning the departed was an essential part of any funeral which “formally” lasted for seven days. The family would lament by wailing and crying, even torturing themselves. They would tear their clothing and put ash on their heads as a sign of their grief. No wonder they had “professional mourners” who also were called the “singing men and women” (2 Chronicles 35:25). Their laments were usually accompanied by musical instruments with the flute as the preferred instrument of mourning (Jeremiah 48:36).

In our day people often forget how important it is to mourn the death of a loved one. I am astounded when people say to the bereaved “they must just get on with it” or “why is it taking so long”. The people in biblical times made sure that they said their farewells in a structured and meaningful way. They understood that mourning formed an important part of the healing process after death, which we often miss.

Amen