["FRIVOLOUS FELLOWSHIP" - A Worksheet]

LAUGHTER

A. "LAUGHTER" OF ANIMALS - Job 39:7,18,22; 41:29

B. "GENERAL INFORMATION" [PRIMARY FOCUS = ON "GOOD" TYPES OF LAUGHTER]

1. There is a time to laugh/a time to NOT laugh. Ecclesiastes 3:4
   
   
2. It can be from God/it can be shared with others. Genesis 21:6; Job 8:21
   
   
3. Associated with...
   • Feasting [and feasting can be either good or bad] Ecclesiastes 10:19
     
   • Confidence in the future / confidence in God's protection. Job 5:22; Proverbs 31:25 [smile, rejoice]
     
   • Blessings/restored blessings. Genesis 21:6; Job 8:21; Psalm 126:2

C. WARNINGS ABOUT LAUGHTER: It is not as good as many people want to believe.

1. It is NOT "neutral" / it is NOT always good.
   • It is inferior to sorrow. Ecclesiastes 7:3
     
   • It can be a superficial "mask" - a surface expression that can conceal the true thoughts/emotions of the heart. Proverbs 14:13
     
   • As a way of life, it is FOOLISH/MADNESS and has no lasting significance/meaning. Ecclesiastes 2:2
      
2. It is NOT the predominant attitude of those who are "the blessed ones."
   • Major contrast in emphasis between the "blessed ones" and the "cursed ones." Luke 6:21,25
     
   • NOT an element of repentance/humility. James 4:9
     
   • Laughter as a fruit of repentance... will come at a LATER time. Job 8:21 (This verse contains a true principle, but it was wrongly applied to Job. See also Luke 6:21.)
      
3. SOME TYPES OF LAUGHTER CAN BE COMPLETELY EVIL - NOT GOOD AT ALL.
   • Something that fools do (in contrast with what the wise do). Ecclesiastes 7:6
     
   • Associated with drunkenness/impending judgment. Jeremiah 51:39 [filled with joy/merriment]
     
   • Often an expression of unbelief. Genesis 17:17; 18:12,13,15; Matthew 9:24 [ridiculed]; Mark 5:40 [ridiculed]; Luke 8:53 [ridiculed]

D. EXAMPLES OF LAUGHTER (BOTH GOOD AND BAD EXAMPLES)

1. The LORD - laughing at the wicked. Psalm 2:4; 37:13; 59:8
   
   
2. LAUGHING AT OTHERS: (People) laughing at the (at times deserved) judgment received by others.
   • Enemies laughing at those who have been judged. Lamentations 1:7 [mocking]
     
   • The righteous laughing at the self-confident. Psalm 52:6
     
   • A coming conqueror laughing at self-confident cities. Habakkuk 1:10
     
   • Wisdom laughing at those who reject her. Proverbs 1:26
      
3. BEING LAUGHED AT: Those who are an object of laughter/ridicule (a "laughingstock"):
   • Because of one's evil deeds. Genesis 38:23; Exodus 32:25 [objects of derision]
     
   • Because of wickedness/(judgment?). Ezekiel 22:4 [mockery]
     
   • Because of judgment or apparent judgment. Job 12:4; Lamentations 3:14 [(treated as) a joke]

Dennis Hinks © 1999
041221

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