Laughing Matters
In the Hebrew Bible, the word translated as laugh can mean to mock or deride, or it can be understood as an expression of merriment, a surprising joy.
The title of this blog, “Laughing Matters,” in fact needs to be clarified. Do I mean that laughing matters, as in circumstances or events that happen which are meant to be laughed at, or do I mean that the process or emotional expression of laughing, matters?
Yes, to both queries.
Excerpt from Ecclesiastes
In the Writings portion of the Hebrew Bible, and specifically in Ecclesiastes, Solomon writes of periods which happen in everybody’s lives. The full spectrum of emotions is reflected: there is a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance.[1]
There are times when laughing not only is appropriate, but it acts as a healing balm for both our bodies and emotions. There are also times when laughter is not only inappropriate, but cruel, demeaning or mocking. Yes, laughing matters.
When laughter first appears
In the Torah,[2] we are first introduced to laughter in the divine encounter Abram[3] had with the LORD. The LORD appeared to Abram and made a covenant with Him.[4] The LORD told Abram his wife Sarai would now be called Sarah.[5] Just as his name had been changed to Abraham to reflect God’s promise, so would hers. This promise would be realized through the birth of a son who would be conceived through Abraham and Sarah, though he was nearly 100 years old, and she was 90!
Abraham fell upon his face and laughed
Upon hearing the LORD’s promise that His covenant through Abraham’s seed would produce a miraculous birth – the result of the union between Abraham and Sarah, though their bodies were well past the age for this to happen – Abraham laughed!
And said in his heart
In the very seat of Abraham’s innermost emotions, within himself, his very heart, came this laughter! This was not mocking; this was the expression of a heart of faith, where he could scarcely contain the mix of emotions filling his soul. Disbelief was not disbelief in God’s promise, or ability to deliver; rather, it was the laughter of adoring amazement.
Sarah laughed too
We read in the very next chapter in Genesis that the LORD Himself, along with two angels, appeared to Abraham and Sarah. When the LORD repeated what he had told Abraham, that Sarah would conceive a son, she also laughed.
Surely Sarah’s laugh was one that was mocking or unbelief, we might think. After all, the text says that after she laughed the LORD questioned Abraham as to why she laughed. She denied doing so because she was afraid. Ok, that settles it, or does it?
Sarah was commended for her faith, just as Abraham was
Before we make conclusions about Sarah and her laughter, we need to think of her response through the lens of the words written in the New Testament book of Hebrews, where we read:
By faith even Sarah herself received ability to conceive, even beyond the proper time of life, since she considered Him faithful who had promised. Therefore even from one man, and one who was as good as dead at that, there were born descendants who were just as the stars of heaven in number, and as the innumerable grains of sand along the seashore (Hebrews 11:11-12).
You may not agree as to why Sarah laughed, but we know according to the Scriptures, she was a woman of faith. She is an example of a woman who trusted the LORD and showed it, through the way she honored her husband, Abraham.[6]
I would like to introduce Isaac
This promised son, who would be born, is the one God would establish His covenant with and extend it through his son.[7] The name that was to be given to this son of promise who would be conceived through Sarah, was Isaac, whose name means laughter. When Isaac was born, Sarah proclaimed, “God has made laughter for me! Everyone who hears will laugh with me.”[8]
The next verse has Sarah using words that reflect her meaning, “Who would have said to Abraham, ‘Sarah has nursed children’? For I have given birth to a son in his old age!”
Isaac brought laughter that was joyous to Sarah and Abraham. His name symbolizes the joy of seeing our faithful God fulfill His promises.
Then the laughter became that of mocking
Before the LORD told Abraham He would enable Sarah to conceive at such an age, Sarah had given her Egyptian maidservant, Hagar, to Abram so that by her he could conceive a child. Ishmael was the result of that union.
This was not the LORD’s intended purpose though. Following the miraculous birth of Isaac and after he was weaned, Abraham had a big celebration. Sarah saw that the boy from Hagar, Ishmael, likely a teenager by this time, was “mocking” Isaac.[9] The very same word is used for laughter, except in this instance, it is used to show derision, not expressing joy.
The birth of Isaac brought great joy. It meant that God’s promises and covenant would be fulfilled. There would be an ultimate blessing that would come to not only the children of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, but to the entire world through his seed.
The miraculous birth that brought joy to the world!
Isaiah prophesied that there would be good news coming for Israel[10] and the world, from God Himself.[11] Over 2,000 years ago, the true Son of the promise, the special Seed was born in Israel through a virgin. His birth was announced by angels who declared “Do not be afraid! For behold, I proclaim Good News to you, which will be great joy to all the people. A Savior is born to you in the city of David who is Messiah the Lord.”[12]
As Isaac brought the laughter of unspeakable joy, the Messiah who is the true blessing that comes through Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, can give this joy to you.
Yes, “Laughing, matters,” because it is through the one named Laughter, that the blessing and promise that brings eternal life comes to those, who like Abraham, believe.[13]
Rather than mock, contact us about the Promised One for it’s no laughing matter, it is an eternal matter.[14]
Written by Jeff, Life in Messiah staff
(1) What have you laughed about recently? Was it for unspeakable joy or mocking?
(2) Do you know the Promised One?
(3) Serving in Vietnam, Sam saw firsthand the horrors of war and human depravity. Life took him to California where he met people who said Jesus was Jewish – he decided to go to their Bible study to laugh at them, but God had something else in mind. Check out his video.
Endnotes:
[1] Ecclesiastes 3:4.
[2] Some reference the first five books of the Hebrew Bible as the Torah, the Book of the Law or instruction.
[3] Abram’s name was changed when God made His covenant with him, to Abraham. Abram means exalted father and Abraham means father of a multitude (nations). This change occurred in Genesis 17:3-5.
[4] In this instance, the covenant of circumcision: Genesis 17:1-14.
[5] Sarah means princess or noble lady reflecting her role as the mother of Isaac of who God’s promise would extend to many nations.
[6] 1Peter 3:5-6.
[7] Genesis 17:19-21.
[8] Genesis 21:6.
[9] Genesis 21:9.
[10] Isaiah 40:1-10; 41:27; 52:7.
[11] Isaiah 7:13-14; 9:6-7.
[12] Luke 2:10-11 (Tree of Life Version Copyright © 2022 Messianic Jewish Family Bible Society | DBA: Tree of Life Bible Society),
[13] Genesis 15:6.
[14] Romans 4:6-25.