The Philistines placed it in their temple before their god, Dagon. The Bible has a lot to say about laughing and humor. We have the definite statement, "Jesus wept," but nothing comes close to . Thou wilt show me the path of life: in thy presence is fullness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. Allāh (Arabic: الله) is the Arabic term with no plural used by Muslims and Arabic speaking Christians and Jews meaning "The God", while ʾilāh (Arabic: إِلَٰه plural `āliha آلِهَة) is the term used for a deity or a god in general.. God may also be given a proper name in monotheistic currents of Hinduism which emphasize the personal nature of God, with early references to his . An atheist professor was teaching a college class and he told the class that he was going to prove that there was no God. We need to study this out a little more to comprehend and clarify God's sense of humor. Here's a serious question about levity: The Bible clearly paints a picture of Jesus of Nazareth as a clever guy, but he . Sackcloth And Ashes. Editor's note: James Martin, SJ, is a Jesuit priest, culture editor of America magazine and author of "Between Heaven and Mirth: Why Joy, Humor, and Laughter are at the Heart of the Spiritual Life," from which this article is adapted. Be glad in the Lord and rejoice ye righteous: shout for joy all ye that are upright in heart. Here's a serious question about levity: The Bible clearly paints a picture of Jesus of Nazareth as a clever guy, but he . The Hebrew word for "almond" or "almond tree" is shaqed, while that for "watching" is shaqad. God is laughing at ALL of us." Blessings. But as I look around the animal kingdom, I see a God that enjoys providing us with laughter. May 3, 2022 In this passage, God is ironic when He tells Jewish idolaters to trust in their wood & stone idols in their hour of need. Saul then goes into a cave ­to relieve himself - exactly the cave . Simply look at creation and anytime we view playful animals, happy people and so forth, these are all creations of his and we can see Yes, my God does have a very good sense of humor, shown by many events in the bible. The psalms tell us he laughs at the defiant nations. My dear friend Holly told me this story: "One time I was reading a story in which the author tells the reader that God delights in wooing us and that we can even ask Him to give us a love song. Luke 13:33. Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh. — C. A: Thank you, dear C. I have been wanting to write about God's sense of humor for a long time and your question gives me the chance. God made everything through His Word and for His Word (John 1:3). How can we assess whether God has a sense of humor? In the bible I have two examples of bible stories that make me laugh each time: The first one is Balaam’s donkey. Laughter in the Hebrew Bible. The king's best warriors couldn't bring down this giant, but a scrawny teenage boy took him down with a slingshot! God's Laughter in the Hebrew Bible. Psalm 4:7. Our five senses help us understand and notice what is happening in our world. Thanks for the research and documentation of yet another example of Rick Warren's abuse of the Bible. . Engaging God with all five of our senses is an important aspect of our faith journey. Using humour and enjoying humour are different things entirely. Look at some of the animals he created: penguin, ostrich, giraffe, platypus, kangaroo, anteater, etc… Look at all us crazy people he created. Although John tells us that Jesus wept, there are no references to Jesus laughing. There are much better examples of God's delightful, insightful comedy. As you read this description, visualize the scene as if portrayed in a cartoon. The Word of God is full of the comical and the unexpected. It would be wrong to think that God experiences emotion like we do, as though God can have a "bad day" or have His "feelings" hurt. Menu. The Bible contains myriad forms of humor, including God's own wry sense of humor and wit. An example of God's humor is the instance in which the Israelites were using the Ark of the Covenant like a good-luck charm in taking it to battle, and the Philistines ended up capturing it and placing it in their temple before their idol of Dagon. Editor's note: James Martin, SJ, is a Jesuit priest, culture editor of America magazine and author of "Between Heaven and Mirth: Why Joy, Humor, and Laughter are at the Heart of the Spiritual Life," from which this article is adapted. His writings, which can be hard to comprehend (2Peter 3:16), means that the funny, albeit usually sarcastic and cutting, side of his personality is sometimes hidden. This book takes a light-hearted peek into a multitude of examples of God's humor found in scripture. New York: Cambridge University Press, 1998. I think we can get a sense of God's humor from when we see animals in nature, or puppies and kittens, or adult animals playing, or smile when we see adult animals in nature taking care of (for example licking the heads and bodies of) their offspring. The Hebraic Bible introduces a humorous God In the Old Testament, the form of humor that God uses is mainly sarcasm or irony especially when the Jewish people upset Him. What are some examples of humor in the Bible? Assuming that Jesus is God and the Bible is inspired in a sense that the Bible is the word of God, it makes sense that God would have a sense of humor. It's certainly not a sin to laugh! Jun 2, 2019 - Explore Hannah Miller's board "God's Sense of Humor" on Pinterest. However, in our own use of humor, we must exercise wisdom and discretion. So maybe some more modern examples, closer to home, will serve to show that our God has an absolutely delightful sense of humor. RW seeing himself through your eyes would be God's sense of humor. 2 Kings 2:23-24 No matter what the donkey did Balaam got angrier and angrier. Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh." Proverbs 8:31 states that God finds amusement with the human race. "It's raining cats and dogs," is an example. A man went all the way from Jerusalem to Jericho on his ass. Author's Note: I would like to thank the following for providing me with examples and insight on humor in the New Testament. Eccl. 18. . Yet, in reality this amazing prophet Elijah was a man just like you. If you read it aloud to a group, it's difficult not to laugh.. I was reading Isaiah 57:12, 13 this morning and noticed an example of God's sense of humor. God must have had a sense of humor not only to put up with but use Jonah for his glory and purposes. The Bible does not mention humor as one of God's characteristic. 19 You … More May 3 Mark 10:17-34. Humor then is both human and divine, for it has its origin in the nature of God. Here the donkey saw the angle of the Lord and the donkey tried to get Balaam’s attention to make him aware he was going the wrong way. The bible tells us that we are made in God's image. For instance, look at the world the Lord made. Home; Read the Bible Through in a YEAR….Getting Started; Welcome to Knowing God through His Word…Day by Day; About; . . Psalm 2 Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? That's significant. We know God is holy, righteous, perfect and pure. Yes, God has given us the ability to appreciate humor and share jokes with our friends. We are designed in His image. His servants said to him, "Behold now, we have heard that the kings of the house of Israel are merciful kings, please let us put sackcloth on our loins and ropes on our heads, and go out to the king of Israel; perhaps he will save your life.". After all, humor by definition means the ability to perceive, and express, the comical or unexpected. By the late 1500s, humor had extended to "mood" or "feeling," specifically the appreciation of something funny or comical by the 1600s. In 1 Samuel 5, we see an example of God's sense of humor. Joseph's example comforted us as we went from one crisis to the next. In the book of Job, God used the example of an ostrich to help Job understand the Lord's sovereignty. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. God's great mystery concealed for thousands of years is now proclaimed publicly, written down for all to know. There are bound to be a lot of differences between humans and God. The Bible contains many examples of subtle humor, including situation comedy, intoxication humor, picaresque humor, satiric humor and taunt songs, verbal irony, dramatic irony, name humor . He rebukes them in his anger. Here are some examples of humor that could first . As they roamed the dessert, they became hungry. Christ's humor in the Gospels was always edifying in its aim. Having said that, appreciating God's humor can help us know Him better and in turn, have a better relationship with Him. May 3 Mark 10:17-34 May 3 Psalm 97. Shown in a dream that he would be a ruler of his family, Joseph recognized God at work. The new book God, That's Funny: Getting God's Sense of Humor introduces readers to God's essential personality — funny, . We also know that God created us to laugh. Blessed laughter finds its home in the blessed Father. He intricately designed each sense organ to transmit information to our brain. He will twist the Scriptures to suit his . Verse Concepts. And God said, "Let there be light," and there was light. Thank God for the example of Joseph. He kept taunting God, saying, "Here I am God, I'm still waiting." An example of God's humor is the instance in which the Israelites were using the Ark of the Covenant like a good-luck charm in taking it to battle, and the Philistines ended up capturing it and placing it in their temple before their idol of Dagon. In this three-part plan, Dr. Kim uses examples from the life of the prophet Elijah to describe how God worked through him to accomplish His purposes. If Jesus was both God and man, then he had the gift of laughter and a sense of humor in greater proportion than any other person who ever lived. We can pray and hope RW repents and denounces with the same enthusiasim his purpose driven ways. But we also need to be aware of our words, others' feelings, and different situations where humor may or may not be appropriate. A sense of humor is clearly God's gift. Read Isaiah 57: 3-13 for the full context. Found only in the book of Mark, he jokingly renamed James and John (who were brothers) with the title "Boanerges" (Mark 3:17, KJV). When He asks what the demons' names are, the demons respond with the famous line, "We are Legion, for we are many." This response has become. Pass the Tweezers. By James Martin, Special to CNN. The Old Testament contains only a few examples of God laughing, such as, "But the Lord laughs at the wicked, for He sees that His day is coming" (Psalms 37:13). Jesus was a master of wordplay, irony, and satire, often with an element of humor intermixed."6 In the appendix of The Humor of Christ, Trueblood lists thirty humorous passages of Jesus in the . . Then the nations said, "The LORD has done spectacular things for them.". January 3, 2021. admin. In the book of 1 Tim 1:11, it calls him the "Happy God'! I first noticed Jesus' sense of humor in John 1:43-49, The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. Let's look at God's laughter. The world's first motorcycle was recorded in Exodus: The sound of Moses' Triumph was heard all over the land. Five Unconventional Ways God Used Humor to Make a Point 1. "WHY THE GAPS IN PROPHECY?" A Bible Study by Jack Kelley "Scattered throughout the Scriptures are prophecies that contain references to both the first and second coming of the Lord in what appears. That too would be an example of perverting it. A person can safely assume Jesus had a sense of humor but the Bible is completely silent about it. By James Martin, Special to CNN. He said, "God if you are real, then I want you to knock me off this platform. God might have His sense of humor but it does not necessarily mean that it is exactly like ours. For example, Moses, as you know, led his people out from slavery, away from Egypt. This morning, in my Bible study, I read of . This is an example of man taking what was created for good and perverting it. God's sense of humor. The people of Israel were using the Ark of the Covenant like a good-luck charm, taking it to battle with them. He found Philip and said to him, "Follow me." Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. The notion of a sense of humor is ancient, a topic considered by Greek philosophers.The phrase, however, is more recent. Also, a humble, self-deprecating willingness to "turn the other cheek" as urged by the Bible is an essential part of a sense of humor, and is something many liberals lack. A "sense of humor" is defined as "the ability to perceive, enjoy, or express what is comical or funny."1 Certainly since man can "perceive, enjoy, and express what is comical or funny," and we are "made in the image of God," then God also can "perceive, enjoy, and express what is comical or funny.". For example, think for a moment about the image Jesus used to describe how hard it is for a proud, self-confident . Though the various forms of verbal humor are not limited to any one country or nationality, many people are more or less noted for certain types. God created us with five basic senses: sight, smell, hearing, taste, and touch. Irony When religious leaders got more concerned about making every detail perfect to impress God, yet neglected to treat other people with dignity and respect, Jesus used ironic punchlines to call out their hypocrisy ( Matthew 23:23-28 ). A: Yes, I believe Jesus did have a sense of humor and made people smile (or even laugh) at some of the things He said. Humor "suggests the ability to recognize the incongruity and absurdity inherent in life and to use them as the basis of expression in some . And since God created us in His image and God gave us a sense of humor, then I believe He also enjoys a good laugh sometimes. My wife, who often makes me laugh, mentioned the story of King Saul hunting for David in the mountains of Judea. Because God is fundamentally humorous, nearly everything he does is funny . Paradoxically ,learning to laugh makes us see more seriously. Americans are said to be fond of hyperbole, an intentional exaggeration for emphasis or humorous effect. Let's look at some examples. Those who read them in Hebrew wonder, "How can God have such a terrible sense of humor?" This is a pun. This nickname means "sons of thunder" or "sons of commotion." First, let's consider this: we are formed by God. Re: God's Sense of Humor - Examples Please! He designed them perfectly, and He also made them funny . PRAYER PROMPT ••• Christians often talk about "God's sense of humor," leaving non-believers scratching their head. On top of that, God also gave us much to laugh about. Robert Pollock God is playing with words and images in order to impress upon Jeremiah's mind the seriousness of God's watchfulness. God had a plan for Elijah and He has a plan for you. The old joke goes, "If you think God doesn't have a sense of humor, just look at yourself in the mirror." If Jesus had a sense of humor, and He is the exact imprint of God's nature (Hebrews 1:3), then assuredly God has a sense of humor. So, yes, God does have a sense of humor. "He who sits in the heavens laughs; He holds them in derision" ( Psalm 2:4 ). The verse in Ecclesiastes 3:4 made famous by Dylan, The Byrds, and God reminds us that there is a time for laughter in every spiritually balanced life, "A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a . Paul's humor was shaped by his early education and practice in . Answer: Thank you, dear C. I have been wanting to write about God's sense of humor for a long time and your question gives me the chance. This post is also available in: हिन्दी (Hindi) God does have a sense of humor and since He created man in His image (Genesis 1:27), man inherited the ability to express and appreciate humor "A happy heart makes the face cheerful" (Proverbs 15:13, 30; 16:24; 17:22). Evidence of God's Sense of Humor. In Mark 5, Jesus encounters a man possessed by demons. The humor that is present in the bible often alludes us because it was a different time, culture, and values. We can see His sense of humor all through the Bible. Genesis says that God brought laughter to Sarah with the birth of her son in old age. Despite all that has been said about the possibility of Jesus having a sense of humor, the Bible never describes Jesus as laughing, telling a joke, or pulling a prank. Genesis 21:6 - And Sarah said, God hath made me to laugh, so that all that hear will laugh with me. . EXAMPLES OF GOD'S HUMOR In the most basic sense, we know that God the Father has a sense of humor because the Bible directly tells us that there are instances when He laughs. God created men and women and for them to have intimate relations with each other within marriage. Since we all have an innate sense of humor, it would stand to reason that this trait was given to us by God Himself. 3:4 says that for people, "there is a time to laugh.". However, it must be said . The sons of commotion Jesus used a bit sarcasm and a bunch of good-natured humor when he selected his innermost twelve disciples. Genesis 1:7 shares, "God . Everything in the Old Testament points to Jesus, because God planned that Jesus would . No one is good except God alone. The Word is Jesus (John 1:14). Read the Bible through in a year…. The prophet David points God as the giver of laughter: "When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were . God may have created humor, but that does mean He condones perverted humor. I'll give you 15 minutes!" Ten minutes went by. For example, Scripture speaks of God being angry, or having joy, or being grieved, and even in some cases the Bible speaks of God "repenting". That is a direct reference to him being happy. Bible Moms. Warthogs, proboscis monkeys, penguins, squirrels . 17. Subject Entries and Commentary Irony and Humor Jesus The Letters of Paul Book of Acts. God created the universe through and for Jesus. They came into the temple the next day and found Dagon flat on his face before the ark. In the second Psalm we hear: The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord scoffs at them. Give the ostrich a doltish expression to enhance further the humor-factor! The Bible provides us funny stories with a purpose. July 15, 2007 at 10:03 PM. Psalm 16:11. The Bible says that the Holy Spirit will guide us and help us know God's truth ( John 16:13 ). In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The verse in Ecclesiastes 3:4 made famous by Dylan, The Byrds, and God reminds us that there is a time for laughter in every spiritually balanced life, "A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a . We can see it in creation. Ecclesiastes 3:4 - A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; Proverbs 15:13 - A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken. One of the best know examples is David and Goliath. In the New Testament the same belief is taught by Luke (6:21), "Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you shall be satisfied. Proverbs is a funny book at times. 1. Genesis 1:1-31 ESV / 33 helpful votesNot Helpful. Such a God inspired the author of Proverbs to write, "A happy heart makes the face cheerful" (15:13), or seen from the opposite point of view in verse 30, "A cheerful look brings joy to the heart." And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. See more ideas about humor, christian humor, christian memes. Telling events which are considered humorous (I will claim below that several of the events described in the book of Jonah are examples) While the events themselves may not be funny they can be told in ways that are humorous (the killing of Eglon by Ehud is an example discussed below) Psalm 126:2-3 Then our mouths were filled with laughter and our tongues with joyful songs. Their enemies, the Philistines, ended up slaughtering them and capturing the Ark. I've heard some people answer this question in the negative by saying that laughter is always a sign of frivolity and a thinly veiled attempt to make light of t In fact, God is entirely pure and untainted, thus so is his humor. Scripture gives us many examples of God's emotional state, even though ascribing human emotions to God is theologically dubious (anthropopathism). His purpose was serious, but sometimes He got His point across by making people see the ridiculous side of life. 2. The verse in Ecclesiastes 3:4 made famous by Dylan, The Byrds, and God reminds us that there is a time for laughter in every spiritually balanced life, "A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a . This plan will help you connect with God in ways that you probably never have before. The Example of Joseph. And in the New Testament is recorded the longest slide in history. In the Middle Ages, humor named one of four bodily fluids believed to govern health and temperament. One of them is humor. The Bible and the Comic Vision. Much humor is poking fun at how seriously people take themselves, which may reflect God's laughing at man. While God appreciates laughter and has gifted us with it, He does not condone laughter at the expense of another or laughter over sinful things. Watch a few nature shows and notice all the ridiculous creatures He put on His beautiful planet. He made humor a conscious and effective part of his ministry to highlight spiritu­al incongru­ities and to illuminate spiritual truth. Since Jesus was not affected by the fall, our attempt to use transitive logic will work. We are told to think on things that are pleasing to the Lord ( Philippians 4:8) and to . In each chapter of Joseph's life, God seemed to bring deliverance and fulfill His will, only to have the situation deteriorate. They came into the temple the next day and found Dagon flat on his face before the ark. The humor of the Apostle Paul is almost always subtle and usually requires in-depth research to appreciate it fully. Let's start with an umbrella verse, Ecclesiastes 3:4: "A time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance." The Biblical text, always practical, acknowledges human emotions and makes boundaries for their proper use. People Showing Mercy Ropes. What I present are several examples of humor that is exhibited within the scriptures. First, we know that He does have wit because this verse tells us so, and this teaching coincides with other scriptures about His holy brand of humor, as is revealed in Psalm 37 , 59 , and in Proverbs 1 ; a few pertinent examples to give us better context . Journalist and LarkNews creator Joel Kilpatrick shares revelations and examples of God's funny nature in the Bible and our everyday lives. Helen Salsbury wrote, Dear God, we make you so solemn, So stiff and old and staid-. An example of God's humor is the instance in which the Israelites were using the Ark of the Covenant like a good-luck charm in taking it to battle, and the Philistines ended up capturing it . The prophet Zephaniah 3:17 echoes this belief in deus ludens, "The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his . To them I gratefully give credit. 2 The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord and against his Anointed, saying, 3 "Let us Of course God's humor is never cruel the way humans twist it to be at times. Luke 6:21 Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled. 1 Kings 20:31.