The German philosopher Nietzsche said, “Perhaps I know best why it is man alone who laughs; he alone suffers so deeply that he had to invent laughter.” Lord Byron said, “And if I laugh at any mortal thing, ‘Tis that I may not weep.” While these statements betray a deep-seated pessimism, they reflect a key dimension of human experience. When Abraham and Sarah laughed at God’s promise before Isaac was born (Gen 17:17-18; 18:12-15) they were expressing not merely their incredulity but also the pain and suffering bottled up in their hearts for so many years as they had longed and longed for a son, but, in their old age, had almost despaired of this ever happening. But now, in Genesis 21, after the birth of Isaac, we see how Sarah’s laughter has been purified. It is no longer cynical: “God has brought me laughter”, she exclaims with radiating joy.
www.facetofaceintercultural.com.au
Posted November 17, 2009
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