A poor man was about to die. He called his son and said: “I am not sure what will happen to me. After my body is burnt, take ashes and travel to the city and on the banks of the holy river do rituals and scatter them over the river. If not, my soul will wander and cause harm to you. Make my soul rest in peace.” After the man died, his son had to get a loan to complete the ritual, which he had to pay for ten years, himself living in misery. He also died in penury, passing on the same ritual to his son.
Jacob’s instruction: When Jacob was about to die in Egypt, called his sons. He prophesied about each one. Also, he instructed Joseph to bury him alongside his grandparents Abraham and Sarah, parents Isaac and Rebekah, and wife Leah in the cave of Machpelah. (Genesis 49:1-33) Jacob as a patriarch of the Nation of Israel, desired to be buried in the Promise Land which was part of the covenant. That desire was an expression of faith and not despair. Joseph as the Prime Minister of Egypt was able to afford it.
Joseph’s instruction: Joseph before his death instructed his brothers and sons. It was a statement of faith, attesting to the faithfulness of God. He said: “I am about to die, but God will visit you and bring you up out of this land to the land that he swore to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob… God will surely visit you, and you shall carry up my bones from here.” (Genesis 50:24-25) For more than three centuries the coffin was kept safe and was carried for forty years and buried by Joshua at Shechem. (Exodus 13:19; Joshua 24:32)
Land of living: Death is not a horror or despair. It is a confident journey from earthly life to eternal life in His presence for those who believe in Lord Jesus Christ. After death rituals have no power to redeem or save anyone from hopelessness and hell.
Am I terrified or confident to face death?