Chilling Laughter

About a year ago, I took this photograph in the interior of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It’s one of the many babbling and beautiful streams that flow through that natural wonderland of God’s creation there, and as with any stream that bubbles and gurgles over ancient stones, the word “laughter comes to mind. Some writers even describe such watercourses as “laughing brooks.”

As I reviewed this picture from a year ago and considered our times, I thought of the times in scripture when God is said to “laugh.” I especially thought of the Hebrew word for laughter, used so often in reference to God. That chilling word is the word “sachaq,” pronounced “saw-khak’.” It is chilling because it speaks of laughter in derision. It a a laughter of judgements, and it is used to describe God’s judgement upon the ungodly and rebellious, who have rejected His mercy, love, and plan of redemption.

In Proverbs chapter 1, verses 24-26, God says, “Because I have called and you have refused; I stretched out my hand, and no man regarded. But you have set at nought all my counsel and would none of my reproof. I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh.” This is a horror beyond imagination. God goes on to say in verse 28,” Then they shall call upon me, but I will not answer…”.

In Psalms 2, verses 1-3, Prophetically, the Psalmist speaks of a time when the rulers of the earth will try to eliminate God, righteous teaching, and the influence of God’s people from the earth. In verse 4, the Psalmist David says, “He that sitteth in the Heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision.” This is happening right now with current leaders in America and the world.

In Ecclesiastes Chapter 3, verse 4, the wise man said, “there is a time to laugh,” and he uses the Hebrew word for laughter that means derision, “sachaq.” Not funny or joyous, but a time of derision and judgment.

Now I know this is not a popular message, folks. Many churches of our generation have molded our religiosity and congregations in “seeker-friendly” garments that allow for any lifestyle. They are cloaked in the lie “that God allows anything because He loves everybody,” which is a half-truth, half-lie theology.  He does love everybody, and because of this, He has sent His only begotten Son to die for us, but He will not allow the church His Son died for to mock His Son’s death by living immorally in sin and perverted debauchery.

Every society and institution in history that has mocked and rejected Redemption’s holy change of life, from sin to righteousness, has faced the wrath of God. He has “laughed at their calamity” and held them in derision.

A “cutting off” day always occurs, even if mercy is extended right up to the moments before death. I believe the end of history is near. I must preach and write the truth. The day is coming when God will “Sachaq”…He will laugh at their calamity. Not popular but true…very true.

Dr. David M. Griffis

General Director