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Embalming Practices in Ancient
By Gary P. Eubanks "Seti I died in 1279 B.C., and the grave builders had just 70 days - while priests mummified his body - to ready the tomb to receive the pharaoh's remains" (National Geographic, Sept., 1998, pg. 21). "To prepare the deceased for the afterlife during Pharaonic times, funerary workers removed most internal organs, then sterilized the body and dried it by packing it - inside and out - with natron salts. About 40 days later the body was wrapped in linen strips, placed in a series of wooden cases and an outer stone coffin, and laid in a crypt" (National Geographic, Oct., 1999, pg. 80).
There appears to be a contradiction between these two accounts of embalming
practices in ancient
Closer examination uncovers several possible ways to resolve the apparent contradiction between these two statements. (1) The second account says "about 40 days" were required (although seventy is hardly an approximation of forty). (2) The first account does not actually say seventy days were required for mummification but to get the tomb ready. (3) The second account actually says the forty days were how long the body was packed in natron salts before being wrapped. Of course, there is always the possibility, not to be overlooked, that, since National Geographic is not divinely inspired, one or both figures may actually be in error.
However, the Bible itself may provide the explanation to the discrepancy, for it
cites both the forty- and seventy-day periods as being involved in funerary
preparations in ancient
Perhaps the additional thirty days of the traditional Egyptian period of mourning allowed the funerary workers to complete preparations on the body and the tomb. On this point, it is interesting that, though Jacob was a Hebrew, it is the Egyptians who weep for him seventy days. The Bible seems to be relating the traditional process the Egyptians followed in burying their dead. This idea is supported by the fact that when Moses died, the Israelites mourned for him only thirty days (Deut. 34:8). Also, both history and the Bible indicate that the ancient Egyptians placed the bodies of their dead in coffins (op. cit., Gen. 50:26), while the Hebrews only swathed corpses in cloths (cf. Jn. 11:44; 19:40) and did not use coffins. [The "coffin" or bier mentioned by Luke (7:14) was apparently nothing more than a platform on which the dead were borne to burial.] History and the Bible enjoy a relationship that is mutually supportive. While these two accounts confirm the antiquity and precise accuracy of the Bible, it comes to their aid with a simple and reasonable explanation for an apparent discrepancy. & God Has Spoken By Gilbert Alexander Condemnation is an unpleasant word. It is in stark contrast to vindication and justification. Is it real? Does it actually affect anyone? Are God's mercy and grace so comprehensive that no one should fear condemnation? God has informed us on this matter, if we will listen to Him. In the context of the familiar John 3:16, Jesus said: "He who believes in Him (God's Son) is not condemned, but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil" (John 3:18, 19). Jesus also said: "He who does not believe will be condemned" (Mk. 16:16). Are the unbelieving and disobedient people under condemnation? If those "who know not God, and who obey not the gospel" are going to be "punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power," then they are the ones who are condemned. Note: 2 Thess. 1:7-9. Pride leads to the same condemnation as the devil has (1 Tim. 3:6). If preachers reprove, rebuke, and exhort their hearers, according to the truth of the gospel, they acknowledge the existence of condemnation and of salvation from condemnation through faith and obedience to Christ (2 Tim. 4:1, 2). To fail to condemn sin of every kind is just as wrong as to fail to point out the value and joy of salvation. The joy of redemption is made full by an understanding of its antithesis -- slavery to sin with its condemnation. The reality of the possibility and danger of apostasy with its consequence, condemnation, is a vital part of the gospel message. Jesus was a Warner, and the writers of the New Testament were warners, as were the prophets of old. The work of a gospel preacher is only half-done if he preaches only the positive aspect of the gospel. Conviction of one's own guilt of sin comes through clear definition of sin with its consequence. Then the message of redemption and how to obtain it becomes intensely desirable. Would you be free indeed? Then, obey Christ. &
Closet Convictions By Dan Shipley John 12:42-43 says: “Nevertheless even among the rulers many believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue; for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.” From its beginning, the cause of Christ has suffered because of disciples with closet convictions; the kind of men who know and believe the truth but will not stand up for it. Consider, for example, these influential rulers of our text. Potentially, their worth to the cause of their un-confessed Christ was immeasurable; effectively, however, they contributed absolutely nothing. Worse, their influence remained where they did, as must always be the case. What a testimonial to the tremendous swaying power of cowardice and pride! It keeps them among those whom they oppose and puts them in opposition to their own faith and convictions. “But after all”, they may have reasoned, “We do have our standing in the community to think about.” And, besides, how could we ever explain to our friends of the synagogue circle about what we really believe? Why, what would they think?” So goes people-pleasing religion. And so stay the people-pleasers in religion --- in their “synagogues” of compromise and out of God’s kingdom. But most of them do not see their “going along” as being all that serious, let alone as jeopardizing salvation. For example, it is not unusual to meet denominationalists who freely admit certain unscriptural practices espoused by their church, but will not speak out against them. They know and believe certain Bible truths, but will not practice them, for fear....? Now, what is the essential difference between these and the elders of our text? Is it less honorable to deny Christ than His word? The false idea that men can honor Christ while ignoring, perverting and desecrating His doctrine is of the devil! “He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him-- the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day” (John 12:48). Man’s part in gaining a right standing with God lies in his knowing, believing, and obeying of gospel truth (John 6:45; 8:32; Mark 16:16; Romans 6:17; James 1:21-22). Every right relationship with God is a truth determined relationship! All that God requires of man and all that man can ever do to please and glorify God is made known in His word (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 John 9). He who shuns it, compromises it, or adds to it reflects on the God who gave it (1 Thessalonians 4:13), whether Jew, denominationalist or Christian.
In
recent years, many members of the
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