Laughter is a significant theme in the Bible, often associated with joy, celebration, and the fulfillment of God's promises. It is a gift from God that reflects the joy and hope found in His presence and His works. The Bible acknowledges that there is an appropriate time for laughter, as part of the human experience under God's sovereign plan.

Ecclesiastes 3:4 · The book of Ecclesiastes, attributed to King Solomon, provides a profound reflection on the seasons of life. In Ecclesiastes 3:4, it states, "a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance." This verse highlights the balance of emotions in life, recognizing that laughter has its rightful place alongside other human experiences. It suggests that laughter is not only permissible but also divinely appointed at certain times.

Genesis 21:6 · The account of Sarah, the wife of Abraham, illustrates laughter as a response to God's miraculous intervention. In Genesis 21:6, after the birth of Isaac, Sarah declares, "God has made me laugh, and everyone who hears of this will laugh with me." Her laughter is a response to the joy and surprise of God's promise being fulfilled, transforming her previous skepticism into a testimony of faith and joy.

Psalm 126:2 · The Psalms often capture the emotional spectrum of human life, including moments of laughter. Psalm 126:2 describes the joy of the Israelites upon their return from exile: "Then our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with shouts of joy. Then it was said among the nations, 'The LORD has done great things for them.'" Here, laughter is an expression of gratitude and recognition of God's deliverance and blessings.

Proverbs 17:22 · The wisdom literature of the Bible also acknowledges the positive effects of laughter. Proverbs 17:22 states, "A joyful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones." This proverb underscores the healing and restorative power of a joyful heart, suggesting that laughter and joy contribute to physical and spiritual well-being.

Luke 6:21 · In the New Testament, Jesus' teachings affirm the blessedness of those who will experience laughter. In Luke 6:21, Jesus says, "Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh." This promise points to the future joy and fulfillment that await believers, emphasizing the hope and reversal of fortunes in God's kingdom.

Job 8:21 · The book of Job, while primarily dealing with suffering, also contains references to laughter as a sign of restoration. In Job 8:21, Bildad the Shuhite expresses hope for Job's future: "He will yet fill your mouth with laughter, and your lips with a shout of joy." This reflects the belief that God can transform sorrow into joy, restoring laughter to those who have endured hardship.

In summary, the Bible presents laughter as a natural and divinely appointed part of life, to be embraced in its proper time. It is often associated with joy, fulfillment, and the recognition of God's goodness and faithfulness. Through various narratives and teachings, Scripture affirms that laughter is a gift from God, enriching the human experience and reflecting the joy found in His presence.Ecclesiastes 3:4
A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
Nave's Topical Index

An Examination of the Question Where the Ruling Principle is to be ...
... as I hear very much the same account from those who spend their time on anatomical ...
the opposite affection, that, I mean, of mirth and laughter, contributes to ...
/.../gregory/gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/xii an examination of the.htm

Hollow Laughter, Solid Joy
... to have inexpressibly deep joy with surface sorrow, than to have a shallow laughter
masking a ... his joy is the slave of externals and the sport of time and chance ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/hollow laughter solid joy.htm

The Time of the Evening.
... Church and the World walked far apart, On the changing shores of time; The World ...
were held, And the World and his children were there; And laughter and music ...
//christianbookshelf.org/orr/the gospel day /chapter ii the time of.htm

The Misery of those Who, Besides Losing the Saints' Rest, Lose the ...
... O that careless sinners would be awakened to think of this in time! ... They will themselves
say of their "laughter; it is mad; and of their mirth, what doeth it ...
/.../baxter/the saints everlasting rest/chapter vi the misery of.htm

The Nature of Heavenly Contemplation; with the Time, Place, and ...
... but an angel from heaven should appoint to meet thee at the same time and place ... joys
of all other men are but like a child's plaything, a fool's laughter, or a ...
/.../baxter/the saints everlasting rest/chapter xiii the nature of.htm

The Answer How Far an Agreement Exists among Devils About the ...
... Nor can anyone be overcome by silly giggling and laughter and at the same time be
excited by the stings of anger, or at any rate filled with the pains of ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter xix the answer how.htm

As Regards Our Reverend Friend Epiphanius, this is Strange ...
... if you were to contend that he would not be dead if a short time before he ... I confess
I cannot restrain my laughter when, at the prompting of some clever person ...
/.../23 as regards our reverend.htm

Passing Away.
... Now finds at last a narrow grave too wide. There is no laughter here, no joy,. ... the
bier. Is standing at our door; With scarce the time to think or pray. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/winkworth/christian singers of germany/passing away.htm

Hebrews ix. 5-Jan
... Laughter has been implanted in us, that when we see our friends after a long time,
we may laugh; that when we see any persons downcast and fearful, we may ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily xv hebrews ix 5-jan.htm

Ephesians iv. 32 and v. 1, 2
... arming and arraying ourselves. The time of laughter can have no place here;
for that is of the world. Hear what Christ saith: "The ...
/.../homily xvii ephesians iv 32.htm

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