Tuesday, January 10, 2006

Yahweh Laughs

He who sits in the heavens shall laugh;
The LORD shall hold them in derision.
(Psalm 2:4)
Yahweh is not the God of “Oh, no.” He is not troubled by the wicked, not one bit. In fact, He laughs at them, makes sport of them, makes merry at their expense. Pay attention to the set-up:
Why do the nations rage,
  And the people plot a vain thing?
The kings of the earth set themselves,
  And the rulers take counsel together,
Against the LORD and against His Anointed, saying,
  “Let us break Their bonds in pieces
  And cast away Their cords from us.”
(Psalm 2:1-3)
“He who sits in the heavens shall laugh,” comes the response. “The LORD shall hold them in derision.” The nations rage, kings fuss and fume, the peoples plot against God and His Messiah. But it is all in vain, because here is the punch line:
“Yet I have set My King
  On My holy hill of Zion.
I will declare the decree:
  The LORD has said to Me,
‘You are My Son,
  Today I have begotten You.’
(Psalm 2:6-7)
All the plots and schemes of the nations do not deter or delay God’s plan one single bit. God has set His King. To Hebrew for “set” means to pour out, as an anointing. God has already anointed His King and established Him in Zion. He has made the decree, and nothing in all the world can stop what God has declared. The King has been anointed, the Anointed has been exalted, the Son has been declared. It is irrevocable. But there’s more:
“Ask of Me, and I will give You
  The nations for Your inheritance,
  And the ends of the earth for Your possession.
You shall break them with a rod of iron;
  You shall dash them to pieces like a potter’s vessel.”
(Psalm 2:8-9)
The nations were plotting to overthrow the King. But it turns out that they themselves will be overthrown. They are but an inheritance, give to the Anointed One for the asking.

Yahweh laughs, but He gives these nations and their kings an opportunity to get in on the joke. For He turns and says,
Now therefore, be wise, O kings;
  Be instructed, you judges of the earth.
Serve the LORD with fear,
  And rejoice with trembling.
Kiss the Son, lest He be angry,
  And you perish in the way,
When His wrath is kindled but a little.
  Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him.
(Psalm 2:10-12)
God always has the last word, but for those who will receive it, it is a good word. He always gets the last laugh, but He is not stingy with it. He invites all to laugh with Him, to stand in awe of Him and join in His wonderful work. The laughter of the LORD is suddenly revealed to be great joy and blessing for all who will run to Him, and not away from Him.

(See also Yahweh Laughs Again)

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