He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord holds them in derision. (Psalm 2:4 ESV)
Patronizing?
We usually see patronizing as a bad thing. Whether it is mansplaining, arrogant criticism, or belittling those around us, patronizing words are unkind.
But the word itself is potentially better than it seems. Its roots lie in the idea of Fathers. Those syllables, “Patro” refer to the authority and responsibility of a father. A father teaches his children from his experience, his authority, and his hierarchy. But when a Father continues to treat his adult children as if they were toddlers, he can be said to be “Over-Father”ing. THAT is the meaning of patronizing.
But even when God’s Children grow up to be God’s Older Children… God is still as wonderfully above us as He was before we were born.
So, unlike most of us, He is never patronizing when He acknowledges (and shows us) His Sovereignty. He will always be above His children, and above the world.
So, He can laugh at those who oppose Him. Not in an earthly patronizing way, but because He sees His enemies’ foolishness as the foolishness it is. He sees our rebellion as the rebellion it is. He sees our opposition to Him as the opposition it is.
But unlike human patronization, God’s patronizing is not petty. It is not cruel. It is not arrogant. It is not prideful.
He laughs at human schemes because He knows what they are… and loves His people anyway. From His mighty and heavenly position, there is a lot that God might laugh at.
But notice that in this verse God laughs. He does not rant and yell. Even as He shows His sovereignty, He chooses to do so with laughter.
In this way, laughter is a part of His patience. Laughter is a part of His mercy. Laughter is a part of His love.