Q1. Laughter at Isaac's Birth

[joy irowa]

it was a laughter of unbelief and that of Abraham

no matter what we do or say God has the final say

[Old Jerry]

Sarah’s laughter in 18:12-15 was kind of laughter to herself. She was laughing because she didn’t believe that she could become pregnant. The laughter in 17:17 was one of joy and it was very public because everybody was laughing with her. God does have a great sense of humor but it is always for the positive of things.

[Craig]

Q1. (21:5-7) The name Isaac means "he laughs." What is Sarah's laughter like now compared to her laughter in 18:12-15 and Abraham's laughter in 17:17? What does this tell you about God's sense of humor?�

 

 

Her laughter now, I would think, is out of utter joy, relief, thanksgiving, wonder, amazement, and love.  Abraham's earlier laughter was one of disbelief and skepticism.

 

God does everything in His own time and His timing is to reveal Himself, His reality, and awesomeness to humanity.  God does what human-beings think is impossible.  Most humans put limitations on everything.  In a box per se.  God operates outside the box because He created everything.  He is in control of everything and there is nothing impossible with God.  Paul said it best when he wrote to the Romans: "Claiming to be wise, they instead became utter fools."  Romans 1:22.

[Ernie's Son]

Sarah was listening at the tent door when Abraham was told Sarah would have a son (18:10).  They both were old and Sarah was past child bearing (18:11).  Sarah laughed at her having a child in her old age.  The thought must have been overwhelming; yet, God had promised made the difference.

 

"God as Sarah's divine overseer and suzerain has watched out for her and blessed her with a child" (Lesson).

 

I think Sarah makes the point in her words in 21:6 " . . . God hath made me to laugh. . . . "

 

Sarah was scolded when she first laughed, yet Abraham wasn't when he laughed?  Why wasn't Abraham scolded as Sarah?

 

Abraham's laughter must not have been in doubt, but that this only comes through God:

 

Mar 9:23 "Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth."

 

As to God's sense of humor, I've never thought in terms of God having a sense of humor, but naming the child Isaac/laughter seems that way.

[lighthouse2014]

Q1. (21:5-7) The name Isaac means "he laughs." What is Sarah's laughter like now compared to her laughter in 18:12-15 and Abraham's laughter in 17:17? What does this tell you about God's sense of humor?�

Gen. 18:12-15, Sarah laugh's in this verse because she knows that in life a women does not have children at her age. In Gen. 17:17 Abraham laugh's because he is 100 years old. Can he become a father at this age? In Gen.21:5-7 Sarah now laugh's with joy that the Lord has given her a male child at her great age of 90.

In the above comments it appears God has a sense of humor. He knows Sarah was well beyond child bearing. There is nothing too hard for the Lord, even in her old age he will perform a miracle and she will have a child.

[Rosesam]

Q1. (21:5-7) The name Isaac means "he laughs." What is Sarah's laughter like now compared to her laughter in 18:12-15 and Abraham's laughter in 17:17? What does this tell you about God's sense of humor?

Abraham’s laughter in chapter 17 was of ecstasy and elation. He believed in the ability of God to bring about a descendant even at his old age. The fact that he believed is confirmed in the fact that God never rebuked him. Whereas in chapter 18 the reason for Sarah’s laughter is given in verse 11. It says that they were both old and she was past child bearing i.e. she had reached menopause. So from a human perspective it was literally impossible for her to bear a child. She had laughed within herself and her reaction even though similar to Abraham it is different. Her laughter was an indication that she did not believe in the promises of God. This is confirmed in the Lord’s response to her. He corrected her and accused her of laughing rather than accepting His word.

God had told Abraham beforehand what the child has to be named. Isaac or laughter, signified the amazing miracle of his birth to a 90 year old mother and a 100 year old father. Sarah here laughs remembering the Lord’s words at the tent opening when He caught her laughing at the promise. Now Sarah exclaims that the name Isaac which means laughter has become a source of joy for her. At this point of time she is incredulous at watching the Lord’s work.

God’s love for Abraham and Sarah has caused laughter in their life in the form of their son, Isaac.

[Godswriter]

Q1. (21:5-7) The name Isaac means "he laughs." What is Sarah's laughter like now compared to her laughter in 18:12-15 and Abraham's laughter in 17:17? What does this tell you about God's sense of humor?

Sarah's laughter is full of joy compared to before when she was full of unbelief and mocked the Lord along with her husband. It took God giving her a son for her to realize that God was serious. Abraham laughed since he didn't believe it was possible at his age. That He believes that He still can make miracles happen.

[Irmela]

(21:5-7) The name Isaac means "he laughs." What is Sarah's laughter like now compared to her laughter in 18:12-15 and Abraham's laughter in 17:17? What does this tell you about God's sense of humor? 

Sarah's laughter has turned to be joyous and infectious. It is real. God has turned her pain into joy. 

Abraham's laughter too, is infectious and full of joy. To be told that he would have a child by Sarah, sure brought about mixed feelings. She who was called barren would no longer be  called so. What joy and that brought laughter to his heart before and now it really had happened. So the laughter was even greater. It called for celebration and sharing. 

[Krissi]

Several posters upthread compared Sarah's first laugh (when she first heard she would have a child) to her second laugh (after she had the child). This was quite helpful to me.

No one mentioned Hagar, however. Did Hagar laugh? Did she join in the celebration of the birth of Isaac? 

In my life, His long delayed answers to prayer made His eventual response all the sweeter. My second laugh was deeper and more grateful because of the pain and suffering caused by His delay. 

Sarah's first laugh was one of sadness and disbelief. She felt God had forgotten her. Her unanswered, heart-rending prayers gave her a bitter, biting laugh, not one of joy. As the years ticked on, God seemed far and His answer impossible. It was difficult for her to be joy-filled. Note that God understood Sarah's anguishing wait, yet did not cut the time shorter. He let her wait in humiliation and suffering as she matured in her faith.

Sarah's second laugh was out of pure joy and gratitude. God answered her prayer in His time and way, and when this happened, Sarah's joy was "complete." God came through, finally. He really did answer her prayer. He vindicated her and restored her station in life (above Hagar.) Sarah's mustard-seed faith, though it had been halting and doubting, had grown into a big, joy-filled faith.

I don't think this reveals God's humor as much as it tells us about His delayed answer to prayer. Isaac's naming is a reminder of our own before-and-after laughing, the long wait so many of us endure and His eventual answer to our prayers.

[Bianca]

Sarah's laughter is out of joy for her son. Having this joy at an old age. No matter how Impossible that may have looked, She gave Abraham a child at his old age. God does have a sense of humor and will accomplish exactly what he promised no matter how long it takes.