DOCTRINE OF HAPPINESS/JOY
I.
Vocabulary.
A.
Hebrew:
1.
rv,a, - `esher; m. noun; found only in the plural
construct; derived from the verb rv;a - `ashar, to be straight or
right, to go straight on, to be successful, prosperous or fortunate. Hence, the word is translated fully or
completely happy, blessed, and refers to the one that is to be congratulated
due to their spiritual prosperity and well-being. Psa.1:1
2.
lyGI – giyl; verb; lit. to go in a circle, to dance or leap for joy, to be
exuberant. The m. noun has the exact
same spelling and means exultation or extreme rejoicing.
3.
hd'x' – chadhah; verb; in the Qal
stem it means to be happy; in the Piel stem it means to make happy. Its derivative noun hw"d>x, -
chedewah; Hebrew and Chaldea means gladness or joy.
4.
!n"r' - ranan; verb; to lift up the voice, to shout
with joy, either in an articulate fashion such as singing, or in an
inarticulate fashion. Its derivative
noun hn"n"r> - renanah means shouting or singing
for joy.
5. fWf – sus; verb; to rejoice, be
glad, exult, to be exuberant.
a.
!wOff' – sason; m. noun; joy, gladness, mirth.
b.
fwOfm' - masos; m.
noun; that which makes one joyful or glad; the object or cause of joy.
6.
xm;f' - samach; verb; to rejoice, to be glad; this word
emphasizes the happy or joyful countenance.
B.
Greek:
1.
avgallia,w – agalliao; verb; to exult or rejoice exceedingly;
to express happiness.
2.
euvfrai,nw – euphraino; verb; to express joy or gladness, to
make merry, to have a party. Derived
from eu – eu
and frhn –
phren; a good or well heart.
3.
maka,rioj – makarios; adj.; denotes one that is happy and to
be congratulated due to their spiritual prosperity and felicity.
4.
cai,rw – chairo; verb; to rejoice, to be glad or happy.
a.
sugcai,rw – sugchairo; verb; to rejoice with someone.
b.
Cara, - chara; noun; joy, gladness, +H.
II.
Definition and description.
A.
Webster defines joy or happiness as the emotion that is excited by the
acquisition or expectation of good. It denotes
one that is favored by circumstances be it by pleasure, well-being or of good
fortune.
B.
Doctrinally, it denotes the person that in their relationship with God
is the object of His blessing and joy or happiness (+H) is the natural
by-product.
C.
That +H is so intimately connected with blessing points to the fact
that one that is favored by God should be truly happy.
D.
Synonyms include: felicity/ecstasy,
blessedness, beatitude and bliss and denotes an inner and/or emotional contentment
laced with joy due to one’s realizing favor with God. +H may or may not be expressed overtly.
E.
Antonyms include: adversity,
disaster, misery, sadness, unhappiness and depression as a result of coming
under God’s wrath, displeasure or testing.
Mankind seeks to counter their unhappiness with the pursuit of the
cosmos, satisfying their STA’s and/or finding relief by engaging in human good
producing a counterfeit +H.
III.
+H and God.
A.
God, by His very nature, cannot improve Himself or His situation.
B.
He possesses a perfect, immutable happiness, since He is perfect and
lives in a perfect environment.
1Chr.16:27; Psa.16:11
C.
God has determined to share His eternal blessedness and joy with
created beings.
D.
His +H is revealed in His viewpoint, which He has communicated to us
through His word.
E.
Therefore, His word is the source of +H for men. Psa.19:8; Pro.3:13-18; 16:20; Jer.15:16;
Joh.17:13 cf. Mat.13:20
F.
All of His works produce +H in those that are adjusted to Him. Job 38:7; Psa.92:4; 139:14; 145:4
G.
Even much of the general happiness that men enjoy, including
unbelievers, comes to them based on the Divine institutions, a function of God’s
wisdom. Volition, RM/RW, family and nationalism.
IV.
Ph1 happiness.
A.
The first true +H that comes to men spiritually is via the SAJG.
B.
Any man that believes is under the eternal blessing of God and this is
certainly ground for rejoicing.
Psa.2:12; 5:11; 32:1-2; 34:8
C.
The Ph1 gospel is the good new that brings true happiness to
mankind. Isa.52:7; Luk.2:10-11; 4:18
D.
The gospel is the source of blessing and prosperity for those that
accept it. Pro.15:30; 25:25
E.
When the gospel is obeyed, even the inhabitants of heaven experience
the joy of salvation. Luk.15:7-10
V.
Ph2 happiness.
A.
Inner +H is commanded of believers in time. Mat.5:12; 2Cor.13:11; Phi.3:1; 4:4; 1The.5:16
B.
It is clearly set forth as the normal function of the adjusted
believer. Pro.10:28; Rom.12:12;
2Cor.13:11; 1Pet.1:8
C.
Ph2 +H is a by-product of the FHS. Gal.5:22
D.
It comes as a result of knowing and applying BD. Psa.106:3; 112:1; 119:1-2; 128:1-4; Joh.13:17;
15:11
E.
+H is therefore an expression of the believer that is operating in the
sphere of Divine love. Joh.15:9-11
F.
The inner +H that comes from the Lord is part of His logistical support
for the believer in time. Neh.8:10;
Phi.2:17-18
G.
Blessing and +H is the lot of the believer that pursues peace in
time. Pro.12:20; Mat.5:9
H.
+H is not contingent upon pleasant circumstances, but is available in
the midst of affliction and pressure.
2Cor.7:4; 8:2; 1The.1:6; Heb.10:34
I.
Divine discipline is one factor that God employs in order to increase
our +H. Job 5:17ff; Psa.94:12-13;
Heb.12:11
J.
The MAJG produces +H and is a factor in the physical health of
believers. Pro.3:8; 15:13; 16:24; 17:22
K.
The adjusted believer takes great pleasure in the execution of God’s
justice. Pro.21:15
L.
When we are confronted with testing, we are commanded to reflect upon
every happiness in the CWL. Jam.1:2
M.
The goal set forth by God for the believer in time is to enjoy full
joy.
1.
In the Church Age dispensation, +H is related to the relationship
between right P-T and right congregation and the principle of face-to-face
teaching. 1The.2:19-20; 1Joh.1:3-4
2.
The proper function of prayer contributes to the concept of full
joy. Joh.16:24
3.
Ph2 faith in BD is necessary to enjoy complete +H. Rom.15:13
4.
The doctrine of separation is necessary for the spiritual blessedness
or +H that God desires for His children.
Psa.1:1
5.
Unity in the local church produces joy for the P-T. Phil.2:2
6.
Believers applying BD is the source of Ph2 joy for the
adjusted pastor. Phile.7; 3Joh.3-4
N.
Children are to be a part of the Ph2 +H that God provides
for believers. Psa.127:3-5
1.
Children that apply BD are a source of joy and happiness. Pro.23:24-25; 27:11; 29:3
2.
Children that pursue the STA are the cause of much unhappiness. Pro.10:1; 15:20-21; 29:3
VI.
Ph3 happiness.
A.
The believer in eternity will experience the ultimate in +H.
B.
He/she will lose the I/STA at the resurrection, the cause of much of
the misery in the human race.
C.
Heaven will be a place that is lacking in any sort of sorrow, pain,
tears or death. Rev.21:4
D.
The marriage supper of the Lamb is consistently portrayed as a blessed
and happy event. Mat.22:1-4;
Luk.12:36-40; Rev.19:7-9
E.
The millennium is described as a time of peace and joy. Isa.14:7-8; 35:1-10; 51:3,11
F.
The joy of Ph3 was the motivating factor that enabled Jesus
Christ to fulfill His Ph2 niche.
Heb.12:2
G.
That same grace is available to us to enable us to complete our Ph2
in a similar fashion. Jude 24
VII.
Happiness and the cosmos.
A.
There exists a pseudo happiness that the cosmos enjoys, not based on
BD.
B.
Their happiness is built upon many things, including:
1.
Getting their way. Mar.14:11
2.
Agricultural/economical blessings.
Psa.4:7; Isa.9:3; Act.14:17
3.
Military victories/deliverance.
Isa.9:3
4.
The details of life. Pro.27:9
5.
Friendships. Pro.27:9
6.
Entertainment/funsville.
Luk.23:8
7.
Achievement (physical, academic, job, etc). 1Cor.9:25
8.
Unexpected good fortune.
Pro.15:30
9.
The adversity or unhappiness of others.
Pro.24:17
10.
Anti-Semitism. Jer.50:11
11.
Doing good to others, with a human viewpoint agenda. Luk.6:33
C.
All of these factors are merely temporary things that stimulate those
that are negative and then these things fade away.
D.
As their blessings pass and dissipate, so does their transitory
happiness.
E.
The moment pressure or boredom threatens their happiness, they react
and lose their joy.
F.
They must then pursue some other item that they suppose will bring them
lasting happiness.
G.
However, since BD is the only thing that will bring true and lasting +H
and they do not pursue Her, they are destined to be caught in an endless cycle
of happiness, boredom, frustration and the pursuit of more happiness.
H.
While items in 1-8 in and of themselves are non-sinful and can be a
source of blessing and joy for the adjusted believer, the believer’s +H is not
dependent upon their presence or absence at any given time in their Christian life.
is your
strength.”
Neh.8:10b