Did Abraham have Something to Laugh About?

            It was time for Sunday School again and the lesson was on Abraham in the old testament. The Sunday School teacher knew a lot about Noah, Moses and Joseph, but was a little unfamiliar with Abraham. Something about him sacrificing his own son - he remembered that. He began reading and learned that Abraham’s original name was Abram. All future generations would know him by his new name Abraham. - The teacher was astonished to learn that Abraham as described in Genesis Chapter 12 was the very first human being who God revealed his plan of salvation for fallen man. Abraham was the first man God would use to initiate his very long (3000 years) and very elaborate (many, many generations and hundreds of people) to finally bring to pass his entire salvation plan and Abraham was the first person to be involved in that plan. Quite an honor, quite a distinction.

            The teacher was trying to figure some way to make the lesson easier to understand and easier to remember.

            Upon close inspection of these names Abram and Abraham the teacher noticed something. It was the spelling on the two names.

A-B-R-A-M

A-B-R-A-H-A-M

            He thought what’s the difference between these two words? He saw it was only and

simply the addition of H-A which in our language by itself spells Ha, as in Ha Ha Ha. Isn’t that the sound we make when we laugh? Isn’t that funny? And did He was told by God man would be saved by God, would be redeemed by God. That his descendents would be more numerous than the stars. Certainly something to be happy about and when we are happy - what do we do? LAUGH!

            What did Sara do when she was told by God that at age 90 she would have a baby? She laughed. What does the name of her son Isaac mean? Laughter! A characteristic unique to humans is laughing, perceiving something as funny and laughing. It is the quality most characteristic of Christians.

            Weeks later the teacher would simply say to his students the word Abraham - and they would respond Ha Ha Ha. He hoped they learned something about God that day!