The Sacrifice Of Praise

By Teresa Poucher

  The words, “laughter” and “slaughter,” are only one letter apart.

“I will offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy.” (Psalm 27:6) Here, David equated sacrifice with joyous laughter. It’s a joy to sacrifice to God when you love Him.

  Strong’s Concordance defines “sacrifice” (H2076) as “slaughter.”

  In chapter 22 of Genesis, we see Abraham going to offer his son Isaac as a burnt offering (a sacrifice, or a slaughter) Amazing when you look up the name Isaac, it means “laughter:  Per Strong’s, “Isaac” or “Yitschaq” (H3327) means “laughter,” and “tsachaq” (H6711) means “to laugh,” as in “Sarah laughed.”   

Abraham told his servants, “Abide here…I and the boy will go yonder to worship…” (Genesis 22:5) This is the first time the word “worship” is mentioned in the Bible.

   When our sacrifice turns to worship, it is then we are blessed.  

“That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies;” (Genesis 22:17)

  We no longer slaughter animals; instead,we offer our lives as a living sacrifice. This is a real joy.

“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith who for the JOY that was set before him endured the cross.” (Hebrews 12:2)

Let your sacrifice turn to laughter!