don't you just hate the way the Writing dept stirs up the imaginations of jw-- by asking such WiseA$$ questions-
notice how long winded the wt is in answering a simply YES OR NO question- it is due to such articles like this esp as they raise a question that often times is never really answered, and requires what was discussed a few threads back DO YOU DISCERN WHAT THE WT IS SAYING
EMBALMING Is It for Christians?
https://watch001.securesites.com/library/w/2002/3/15/article_01.htm
JOSEPH honored his father's request by taking advantage of a custom that prevailed in Egypt at the time. He commanded "his servants, the physicians, to embalm his father." According to the account found in Genesis chapter 50, the physicians took the customary 40 days to prepare the corpse. The embalming of Jacob allowed for the large, slow-moving caravan of family members and Egyptian dignitaries to travel about 250 miles [400 km] to take Jacob's remains to Hebron for burial.Genesis 50:1-14. Is it possible that Jacob's embalmed body will be found one day? The chances are, at best, remote. Israel was a well-watered region, which limits the type of archaeological artifacts discovered there. (Exodus 3:8) Ancient metal and stone objects abound, but most of the more fragile items, such as cloth, leather, and embalmed bodies, have not withstood moisture and the vicissitudes of time. Just what is embalming? Why has it been practiced? Is it for Christians? Where Did the Custom Begin?Embalming can best be described as the preserving of a human or animal corpse. Historians tend to agree that embalming began in Egypt but was also practiced by the ancient Assyrians, Persians, and Scythians. Perhaps early interest in and experimentation with embalming was sparked by the discovery of bodies that had been buried in desert sand and were naturally preserved. Such a burial would have kept moisture and air from reaching the corpse, thus limiting its decay. Some theorize that embalming got its start when bodies were found preserved in natron (sodium carbonate), an alkali that is abundant in and around Egypt. The goal of the embalmer is simply to interrupt the natural bacteriologic action that starts within hours of death, causing the corpse to deteriorate. If this process can be averted, decay will stop or will at least be slowed down considerably. Three things are desired: preserving the remains in a lifelike state, preventing putrefaction, and rendering the corpse resistant to the ravages of insects. The ancient Egyptians embalmed their dead mainly for religious reasons. Their concept of an afterlife was linked with a desire to stay in touch with the physical world. They believed that their bodies would be used throughout eternity and would be reinvigorated with life. As common as embalming was, to date no Egyptian account of how it was done has been found. The best record is that of the Greek historian Herodotus in the fifth century B.C.E. It has been reported, however, that trying to recreate the results by using the directions provided by Herodotus has not been very successful. Is It for Christians?Jacob was embalmed by those whose religious beliefs were not the same as his. Yet, we can hardly imagine that when Joseph handed his father's body over to the physicians, he requested the prayers and ritual that may well have accompanied most embalming done in Egypt at that time. Both Jacob and Joseph were men of faith. (Hebrews 11:21, 22) Although apparently not commanded by Jehovah, the preserving of Jacob's remains is not spoken of with disapproval in the Scriptures. The embalming of Jacob was not meant as a precedent for the nation of Israel or for the Christian congregation. In fact, there are no specific instructions on the subject in God's Word. After Joseph himself was embalmed in Egypt, there is no further Scriptural mention of the practice.Genesis 50:26. The poor condition of human remains found in tombs in Palestine indicates that it was not a Hebrew custom to embalm the dead, at least not for long preservation. Lazarus, for instance, was not embalmed. Although he was wrapped in cloth, concern was shown when the stone closing his tomb was to be rolled away. Since Lazarus had died four days earlier, his sister was sure that there would be an odor when the tomb was opened.John 11:38-44. Was Jesus Christ embalmed? The Gospel accounts do not support this conclusion. At that time, it was the Jewish custom to prepare the body with spices and perfumed oils before laying it to rest. In order to treat Jesus' body, for instance, Nicodemus provided a large quantity of spices for this purpose. (John 19:38-42) Why so many spices? Heartfelt love and respect for Jesus may have moved him to such generosity. We need not conclude that such a use of spices was intended to preserve the body. Would a Christian object to the custom of embalming? From a realistic point of view, embalming is merely delaying the inevitable. From dust we came, and to dust we return at death. (Genesis 3:19) But how long will it be from the time of death until the funeral? If family members and friends are coming from a distance and there is a desire to view the body, no doubt the remains will have to be embalmed to some degree. Scripturally, then, there is no need for concern if local requirements mandate that the body be embalmed or family members desire that this take place. The dead are "conscious of nothing at all." (Ecclesiastes 9:5) If they are in God's memory, they will be raised to life in his promised new world.Job 14:13-15; Acts 24:15; 2 Peter 3:13. | ||||||
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