Robert McLaughlin Bible Ministries
The reason why Abraham laughed when he heard of the fulfillment of the promised heir.
Friday, May 24, 2002
A. The dividing of the nation of Israel into Ephraim and Judah. B. Roman Province of Judea. C. Israel of the twentieth century. D. Israel of the Tribulation.
Sarah is the mother of many kings in history - the entire Davidic Dynasty, including the Lord Jesus Christ.
To climax the whole thing, Abraham is about to become the friend of God, 2CH 20:7; ISA 41:8; JAM 2:23.
The giver is always more important than the gift, and that is true capacity for life.
True thanksgiving, genuine thanksgiving, always means an appreciation of the giver more than the gift.
He went back to a basic principle that Jesus Christ controls history.
He is claiming the promises of God given to Abraham and pointing to the spiritual significance of circumcision, ultimate spiritual growth, when he says “Abraham Thy friend forever?”
1. Their racial title Israel - the concept of the race becoming a nation.
2. “Israel, My servant” - the nation was to be the recipient of written doctrine, the formation of the Old Testament.
3. He goes back to the grandson of Abraham, to his original name, Jacob - chiseler, conniver.
JAM 2:23 and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “And Abraham believed God, .... and he was called the friend of God.”
GEN 18:12 - Sarahs laughter was a reflection of her doubtfulness.
Yitschaaq - Isaac = “laughter”
JOH 8:56 “Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day, and he saw {it} and was glad.”
His irrepressible smile arises not from any doubt of the fulfillment of the promise, but from surprise at the unexpected way it was about to be fulfilled.
1. Though we should not dictate to God, He does allow us in prayer, to be free with Him in all humility, and specifically in making our requests known, PHI 4:6.
2. It is the responsibility of parents to pray for their children, all their children, as Job, who offered burnt offerings according to the number of them all, JOB 1:5.
3. GEN 17:18 - “Oh that Ishmael might live before Thee” = the greatest thing we could ever desire from God for our children is that they may live before Him.
The word of God and the blessings are simply overwhelming; they are beyond anything he could ask or think,EPH 3:20.
Qal imperfect - tsachaq = not only did he laugh, but he kept on laughing, probably he even got a little hysterical.
The laughter of the mature believer is faith breaking through the barriers of a hopeless situation, and accepting divine reality, as over against human viewpoint, human hopelessness.
“He said in his heart or thought to himself” - Qal imperfect - amar = records what he was thinking as he laughed.
1. Where there is a sense of humor, extraordinary thought often provokes laughter.
2. As an ultra supergrace believer, Abraham was not only amused at the thought, but it activated his sense of humor to the reality of the fact.
3. Abraham does not doubt what God said, but accepts what He says. He laughed because he accepted it; if he had not believed it, he probably would have cried.
4. Abraham was relieved to hear God reiterate and reconfirm the promise of a son by Sarah after the elapse of thirteen years.
5. Both humor and relief are found in the laughter of Abraham.
6. Abrahams laughter is neither cynicism nor unbelief.
7. It is not so much the hopelessness which provokes the laughter, but the appreciation of what ordinarily would be ludicrous and comical.
8. Abraham was laughing at himself.
Intense people never laugh at themselves; they take themselves very seriously, too seriously.
9. The laughter indicates Abrahams sense of humor, his capacity for life, and his ultra supergrace status.
10. As an ultra supergrace believer, Abraham had a relaxed mental attitude, a marvelous sense of humor - a sense of humor is a part of capacity for life.
Robert R. McLaughlin All Rights Reserved 2002