Jacob mourned his son, whom he believed to be dead, anticipating his own descent into the netherworld, stating, “I will go down to my son, mourning into the grave,” for at that time, Christ had not yet opened the gates of heaven; His blood had not yet silenced the fiery, turning swords of the cherubim guarding its entrance. We also remember that Abraham, alongside Lazarus, was in the underworld, albeit in a place of comfort.
It’s notable that David wept for his son, Absalom, while he did not plead for the life of another infant son, as he recognized the latter's innocence. It is also fitting that, as per ancient tradition, mourning for Moses and Aaron was mandated, and the Acts of the Apostles show that even in the light of the gospel, the believers in Jerusalem mourned greatly for Stephen (Acts 8:2). In Scripture, mourning does not denote weakness, as you may assume, but signifies a dignified farewell and the presence of many at the burial. Reflecting on Jacob’s funeral, Scripture states: “And Joseph went up to bury his father, and all the servants of Pharaoh, the elders of his household, all the elders of the land of Egypt, and all the house of Joseph and his brothers came with him.” It further notes: “and the chariots and horsemen went with him, and there was a very great company.” They wept for him with deep sorrow (Genesis 50:7ff.). This solemn lament does not indicate prolonged mourning by the Egyptians for Jacob but rather showcases the grandeur of the funeral. Surely, the same honors were rendered to Aaron and Moses.
I am constantly amazed by the mysteries within Scripture and the profound truth within seemingly simple phrases. Why is it noted that there was mourning for Moses, yet there is no mention of sorrow for Joshua’s burial? It is because, through Moses, found in the old covenant, all humanity faced condemnation and thus mourning was associated with those descending into the underworld, as the Apostle stated: “death reigned from Adam until Moses, even over those who had not sinned” (Romans 5:14). However, in Christ, represented by the gospel, when the gates of paradise are opened, death is transformed into joy.
Even now, Jews mourn the dead, sitting on ash in bare feet, dressed in mourning garments. To add to their misconceptions, they partake of lentils, symbolizing the food through which they forfeited their birthright. As they lack faith in the resurrection of the Lord, they prepare for the coming of the Antichrist. Yet, we who are clothed in Christ and called a holy and royal nation, as stated by the Apostle (1 Peter 2:9), should not mourn for the departed. Moses admonished Aaron, Eleazar, and Ithamar, his remaining sons, saying, “Do not cover your heads, nor tear your garments, lest you die, and wrath come upon the entire congregation” (Leviticus 10:6). The implication is clear: do not show pagan-like grief, lest you face death. Our mortality stems from sin.
THEOSIS