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Question
Why did the valiant men burn Saul 1 Samuel 31:11-13 and what about ashes to ashes dust to dust if you are cremated and then buried is that the same because your body does decompose when your buried normal?
The valiant men were from Jabesh-Gilead which was nine miles from Beth-shan. They did this in a effort to keep Saul and Jonathan's bodies from further degrading acts. Saul and Jonathan were beheaded. The men of Jabesh were grateful to Saul who saved them from the Ammonite king Nahash who was going to put out the right eyes of the men of Jabesh to keep them from being able to fight against him. Saul mustered 33,000 men from Israel and attacked Nabash which saved the men of Jabesh.
It was not normal for Hebrews to burn their death. In this case it was done to protect their bodies from further degradation. Being burned the bodies were not available to degrade further.
Cremation is a pagan practice and was not practiced by the Hebrews or later Christians. Whatever happens to the body it will be resurrected. OT saints and Christians to heaven and the unsaved to the Lake of Fire.
I hope this helps. If you have further questions please write.
Cooper Abrams
http://bible-truth.org
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Answers by Expert:
Cooper P. Abrams III
Expertise
Independent Fundamental Baptist missionary and pastor, ThB, MBS. I began pastoring in 1981, and have taught in churches, a Bible college, and a Bible Institute. I have written numerous articles on various subjects from a biblical perspective and many are posted on my web site Bible Truth ( http://www.bible-truth.org ). Bible Truth receives over sixty thousand visits per month. Since 1998 I have answered Bible related questions via e-mail. My answers are straight forward and biblical. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE -----DO NOT ASK A QUESTION AND THEN NOT READ THE ANSWER! ABOUT FOUR IN TEN QUESTIONS ASKED ARE NEVER READ. I FREELY GIVE MY TIME TO GIVE HELPFUL ANSWERS. OFTEN THE ANSWER WILL REQUIRE AS MUCH AS A HOUR OR MORE TO RESEARCH AND THEN TO FORMULATE THE REPLY. IF YOU SEND A QUESTION PLEASE BE THOUGHTFUL ENOUGH TAKE THE TIME TO READ IT. MOST PEOPLE DO...BUT ALL SHOULD. THANKS
Experience
I have been a pastor since 1981 and a Independent Baptist missionary church planter since 1986. I have seen the Lord establish four Bible believing churches in Utah. My web site Bible Truth ( http:\\bible-truth.org ) continues to grow presently over 60,000 visits per month. The materials on the web site are mostly written by myself and contain sermons, Bible commentaries, articles on various biblical subjects.
Publications
- Appeared on Grizzly Adams DVD documentary "End Times: How Close Are We?" (http://www.grizzlyadams.com/Public/ChristianDVDs/index.cfm?productID=49).
- Article "Are Mormons Christians" "O Timothy Magazine" Way of Life Literature (http://www.wayoflife.org/files/9959c77e05b303248173195e72476459-60.html)
Education/Credentials
ThB and MBS from Piedmont Baptist College, Winston-Salem, NC
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