The king's words of wisdom appear rather somber in this proverb, and he seems to have a pessimistic view of life. Isn't he looking at the dark side of things in suggesting that everything ends with grief? The author uses a word here which in other places he associates with the worry and suffering that foolish son’s cause to their parents, Proverbs 10:1, 17:21. But isn't it out of place here? Can there not be real moments of joy in life?

We must not forget that the words of the Proverbs are sayings for the wise, and aimed at one's conduct. They never exhaust the whole truth, but highlight elements of it pertinent to the improvement of our understanding and way of life. And the laughter of which this text speaks comes from the sphere of conduct: it is the laughter of the festive hall, the laughter that surrounds joyful occasions like weddings, birthdays and anniversaries. It's the laughter associated with joy and gladness, the laughter of humor and mirth. And the writer reminds us that even with all our festive moments, we cannot escape the essential reality of human existence: we are sinners, and we all go to the grave.

Here the writer wishes to remind us that sin and its effects is a constant and essential reality in our lives. Much of the laughter and humor in the world is an attempt to brush off this central fact of human existence. People need humor to keep them from facing reality, and they use it like a drug to escape the actual situation. But we are called to avoid this kind of fake humor which only betrays man's essential fears. We must laugh in the truth, not at the truth. Even for those redeemed from sin, the central truth remains: the end of all joy is grief. The battle against the flesh and its desires continues to the last moment of our lives, and sickness and suffering is something we constantly meet on life's pathway. So our life in this age is called "a constant death."

And the LORD would have us keep this in mind, especially at our festive occasions. These words are not meant to dampen the joy, but to let a true spirit of festivity manifest itself, rather than the laughter of carousing and emptiness. And His reminder is: laughter is never complete in this life. All laughter cannot escape the real situation: every life is stained with shortcomings and sins. Every festive moment has its sorrowful side.

Yet this is a word which reaches out and longs for the age of full redemption! For the end the author has in view is the end of this life, with its separation of body and soul. But in Christ this road of separation and death has been redirected to a new age of lasting joy. That is why He said,

Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh.Luke 6:21b

He is the resurrection and the life! In Him the new dawn of full joy has come!

As our Forerunner He has taken a road on our behalf which we were unable to take. He endured the epitome of sorrow when He suffered in body and soul in the hour of His death. So He said. "My soul is very sorrowful, even to death," Matthew 26:38. The way of suffering was for Him the end of all things for His life on earth. Yet He willingly took this road for our sakes. "He has borne our grief and carried our sorrows," Isaiah 53:4. And because of His perfect obedience, He found the fullness of joy before God! So He fulfills the words of David as they are quoted by Peter:

Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; Thou wilt make me full of gladness with Thy presence.Acts 2:28

The fullness of gladness comes by being restored to the presence of God!

Here a new hour arrives for Christ. This is the dawn of gladness without the undertone of sadness; laughter without the pain of past, or future and coming grief. Having gone through the greatest sorrow, Christ receives the highest joy. And we share the first fruits of this joy today! In that sense we are farther along today. What the Preacher was still waiting for (Ecclesiastes 7:2-4), and what this word of wisdom still hoped for, has come in Christ. Deeper rays of joy are given to us!

Yet these words of wisdom are then ever truer.

Salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed. The night is far gone, the day is at hand. Let us therefore cast off the works of darkness and put on the armour of light… Romans 14:11, 12

And as Peter says, The end of all things is at hand; therefore keep sane and sober for your prayers.1 Peter 4:7

The hour of grief and suffering has not ended yet. The struggle with sin is not yet over. And the Lord calls us to be serious about His Word, realistic about ourselves, and so cautious with our times of festivity.

Still today we are called to view life from its end: grief and pain is the end of all earthly joy. All our festivities end with a funeral. But from this perspective we are able to be sober and realistic, and so prepare ourselves for the joy which our Master in heaven already shares today, the joy of which we may have a foretaste in His Word. If we live in patience and persevere in diligent warfare today against the excesses of the flesh, we know that we will soon inherit the "fullness of gladness" that Christ shares today. Then we may be among those who through every trial inherit the kingdom. We may be among those who, having sown in tears may reap with shouts of joy, Psalm 126:5. For then the hour of fullness will be there, and all mourning, crying and pain will be taken away, Revelation 21:4. Then indeed, our mouths will be filled with laughter, and our tongues with shouts of joy, Psalm 126:2.