Does God Have A Sense Of Humor? What Does This Teach Us?

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Published by Kimberly Wall

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Co-Founder, Disciple Group Leader, Author

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Have you ever questioned, “Does God have a sense of humor or engage in any humorous behavior?” God’s sense of humor has not received the same level of attention as his other, more biblically popular traits. History has nothing to contribute to the subject of God’s humor as a characteristic, and most Christian academics have generally disregarded it.

However, if God lacked a sense of humor, where would we acquire ours? Nevertheless, God’s comedy may not resemble ours all the time. There are times we find humor in things that are not, in reality, amusing, such as offensive or crass jokes or put-downs. God, however, is the originator of a genuine sense of humor.

Key Takeaways

  • God’s sense of humor is evident in Scripture and creation, reflecting His multifaceted nature and fostering a closer relationship with His followers.
  • The humor embraced by God aligns with His teachings and promotes joy and laughter without harm or malice, which contrasts with some human interpretations of humor.
  • God uses humor as a means of communication and connection to offer comfort and stand as a reminder of His presence and love in the lives of believers.

Is It Disrespectful To Think God Is Funny?

Religion’s history has revealed God’s serious side (Psalm 86:11). But this is simply one aspect of our Lord, and it has conquered the Christian conception of God. Those with a relationship with God as Christians recognize his love and care. He has loved us so deeply that He sacrificed His own son on the cross (John 3:16).

David demonstrates a close relationship with God throughout the Psalms. There, we find a caring God, one who hears David’s screams of sorrow, weeps with him in dark times, and celebrates with him. “Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart” (Psalm 37:4).

The American Heritage Dictionary defines delight as “giving keen enjoyment” or “taking great pleasure.” Happiness is bestowed upon us by the Father, and He invites us to share this laughter with Him[1].

The Almighty Father even instructs us on how to appropriately express our feelings. Ecclesiastes 3:4 says that there is “a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn, and a time to dance.”

Is The Human Definition Of Funny The Same As God’s?

Most of what humans consider to be humor are not genuinely amusing but crass or crude and have no place in a Christian’s life (Colossians 3:8). Also, God forbids us from making a joke at the cost of another person’s feelings, especially if they do not build them up but rather tear them down (Colossians 4:6; Ephesians 4:29).

God takes no pleasure in their behavior and its results but wishes that one return to the right path (Ezekiel 33:11; Matthew 23:37–38).

If the humor you use is lighthearted, does not harm you or another person, and does not contradict God’s instructions for our lives, then it is fine. When in doubt, seek the Holy Spirit’s guidance before engaging in a situation where using it may not be advisable. According to the Bible, the Holy Spirit will lead us and help us understand God’s wisdom when we are in doubt (John 16:13).

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What Is God’s Humor In The Bible?

The Father has a sense of humor; the Scripture even informs us that He laughs sometimes. “He who sits in the heavens laughs; He holds them in derision” (Psalm 2:4).

The Bible provides enough examples to show that God enjoys a good joke. As an example of God’s good sense of humor that many find funny, consider his reaction to the sin of the Philistines in taking the Ark of the Covenant from Israel:

When the Philistines brought the Ark of the Covenant to the temple of their deity, Dagon, they discovered that their idol had fallen in front of the Ark. The next day, the idol was discovered, lying on its face with its hands and head severed and only the trunk left. “Therefore, to this day, neither the priests of Dagon nor all who enter Dagon’s house tread on the threshold of Dagon in Ashdod” (1 Samuel 5:5).

Isn’t it comical how God opted to put Dagon in a serving position instead of destroying the temple to their god, Dagon? He seemed to be laughing at His detractors’ foolishness.

Some people might find the irony God displayed in Jonah’s story amusing. The prophet tried to escape God but ended up in a large fish’s stomach instead. Another thing others find humorous is the disciples. John’s boasting about being the first to Jesus’ empty tomb beating Peter (John 20:3–8), Thomas’s acceptance of death by following Jesus towards Lazarus’ house (John 11:16), and Peter’s zeal in many of his accomplishments (John 13:9-10; John 21:7–11).

This is the disparity between God’s sense of humor and that of mortals. God can utilize humor because He deserves all the glory.

How Does God Reveal His Humor?

Through Everything He Created

In Genesis 1:25, God reveals a great sense of humor through the beings he created. Whether it’s an ostrich, an elephant seal, a platypus, a kangaroo, or any other animal, God uses humor to help Adam cope with loneliness.

The next assignment for Adam was to give each animal in the world a name. Since God created man in his own image, Adam’s humor may reflect God (Genesis 2:19–20).

Through Jesus

Another approach to demonstrating that God possesses a wide range of qualities, including a sense of humor, is through Jesus’ humor. Jesus Christ is repeating what has become known as the Beatitudes in his famous speech on the hill. “He encourages His listeners—’Blessed are those who weep now, for you will laugh’” (Luke 6:21).

Jesus calls those who weep blessed and says they will ultimately find joy through laughter. We can see that Jesus thought humor was a great thing, since “every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights” (James 1:17). The Blessed Father is the true abode of blessed laughter.

Jesus, who was completely God and entirely man (John 1:14), felt the same emotions (John 11:35) and faced the same temptations as we do (Matthew 4:1–11). The Lord laughs with His followers, having so much fun that others accuse Him of sinful things like gluttony and drunkenness (Luke 7:34).

John was one of Jesus’ closest followers (Matthew 17:1; Mark 5:37); therefore, the fact that he emphasized Jesus’ wit in delivering his gospel shows how seriously he took the need for his message to be taken seriously. The disciples obeyed Jesus because they recognized him as the Messiah and believed He was God’s Son, but they also liked each other because they shared common interests and a sense of humor (Philia love).

Through The Scripture

According to Proverbs 17:22, “A joyful heart is a good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” Psalm 126:1–2 describes God as the laughter-giver:

“When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream. Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy; then they said among the nations, ‘The Lord has done great things for them.'” God’s word promotes the value of humor and laughter. This would not be the case if God lacked a sense of humor.

old man laughing with pottery behind him and does god have a sense of humor

Summary

God’s sense of humor draws his children closer to him, making us feel at ease and developing a connection despite everything that’s going on in our lives, just as He is who He says He is (Exodus 3:14). He is our Father, confidant, friend, and lover, just as Revelation 19:7 emphasizes. When we approach Him in our distress and anxiety (1 Peter 5:7), He is ready to ease our minds and hearts, even to humor us.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does God Have A Sense Of Humor?

Yes, God does have a sense of humor, which is evident through various stories and teachings in the Bible, as well as the diversity and creativity observed in creation.

What Makes God Laugh?

God laughs at the foolishness of the wicked and at situations that display His sovereignty and the futility of opposing His will, as evidenced in scriptures like Psalm 2:4 where it mentions, “He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord holds them in derision.

Is It Disrespectful To Think Of God As Humorous?

No, it is not disrespectful to think of God as humorous, as the Bible itself presents instances of God’s humor and encourages joy and laughter in a manner that aligns with His teachings.

How Is God’s Sense Of Humor Different From Human Humor?

God’s sense of humor is different from human humor in that it is wholesome and devoid of malice or harm, aligning with His principles and teachings, unlike some forms of human humor that can be hurtful or offensive.

How Does God Use Humor To Connect With Believers?

God uses humor to connect with believers by presenting relatable, joyful experiences in the Scriptures, thereby offering comfort, fostering a sense of closeness, and enhancing the relationship between Him and His followers.

What Was God’s Personality Like?

God’s personality, as depicted in the Bible, is multifaceted, encompassing traits of love, justice, compassion, wisdom, and a sense of humor, indicating a complex and relational nature.

What Does The Bible Say About Laughter?

The Bible acknowledges laughter as a significant aspect of human life, presenting it as a gift from God and a source of healing, as seen in verses like Proverbs 17:22, which states, “A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.”

Will God Give You Laughter?

Yes, God will give you laughter as a form of blessing and joy, as depicted in scriptures such as Psalm 126:2, where it says, “Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy; then they said among the nations, ‘The Lord has done great things for them.'” This indicates God’s role in bringing joy and laughter into the lives of His people.

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