Have you ever wondered what God is like? Does he sit around with a gavel, or does He laugh, too? Does He enjoy seeing us smile, or is He too serious and holy to appreciate anything amusing? Today we’ll talk about the evidence of God’s sense of humor.
We typically think of God in terms of judgment, punishment, and seriousness—with a gavel and a long white beard, just waiting to catch us in a wrong.
But scripture and creation paint another picture.
Yes, God is holy and jealous, but He is also slow to anger, faithful, and loving. He is powerful. He is a loving and present father.
And, I believe, He has a sense of humor.
Evidence of God’s Sense of Humor
I have never been accused of having an analytical mind; however, I do enjoy breaking problems down into their most basic components. We can learn and understand so many problems in our lives by getting to the basics.
And there are several basic reasons that make me think that God has a sense of humor:
#1 – In God’s own image
One of the most basic aspects to better know God is to look at what He created. There is sin in the world, which has tainted everything, but I like to look at the original design to think about what God made before the corruption.
According to Genesis 1:27, we were created in God’s image for the purpose of relationship. I heard it said many years ago—I can’t remember where—that our emotional capacity was paramount in this image. God made us capable of great love and humor. What’s better in a relationship than love and joy of laughing together?
#2 – The rest of God’s creation
Continuing in the stream of God’s creation, taking a look at His creativity in the world around us is a wonderful way to learn about the nature of God.
I often wonder what it might have been like to be Adam as he was tasked with naming all the animals. And God created a vast array of animals. Majestic. Lowly. Cute. Even those that are little eek!
And some are undeniably humorous. Did Adam chuckle with God as he named the platypus, giraffe, opossum (or possum as we tend to say in the South), ostrich, or elephant?
#3 – Scripture
It only makes sense that if we want to know what God is like, we’d study scripture. After all, the Bible is the Word of God.
My favorite accounting in the Bible that always makes me wonder what the faces of those involved looked like is the one about the woman suffering from a bleeding condition.
Well, it may seem odd to talk about humor and a woman suffering for years in the same sentence. What she went through wasn’t funny in the least.
But if you remember, this woman had struggled for twelve years—even spent everything she had trying to get better. I can’t imagine what ineffective and painful methods the doctors of the time subjected her to before taking her money. Even with that disheartening history, the woman didn’t hesitate when she saw Jesus passing near her. She hoped to touch even the edge of his cloak, knowing that even the edge of His clothing would heal her.
And she touched it and was healed. What a moment that must have been for her.
But then Jesus stopped and asked to know who’d touched him.
The disciples were like, “Dude, you’re surrounded by jostling people, and you ask who touched you?”
It never fails that the humor in that situation makes me smile. I always ponder why Jesus reacted as He did. He already knew about the woman—who she was and what had been done for her. He could have let her go. But I imagine that maybe He allowed a bit of humor in an agonizing-turned-joyful moment for the woman.
And then there are other mentions in the Bible. Below are a few verses to that effect:
God is holy and just, but He is also loving and loves to make us smile. All we have to do is look at the evidence of His creation.
Be sure to check out this post and this one if you’re interested in learning more about the names and attributes of God.
Do you think God has a sense of humor? Share in the comments below.
additional Resources
- 7 Encouraging Verses to Remind Us of God’s Faithfulness from HISsparrowBlog
- Blessed Assurance: 6 Reasons I Believe in Eternal Security from HISsparrowBlog
- 60+ Names and Attributes of GOD & JESUS from HISsparrowBlog
I frequently link up with the following: Grace & Truth with Embracing the Unexpected, Tell His Story with Jeanne Takenaka, and Let’s Have Coffee with Joanne Viola.
What an interesting post, Ashley! I think you’re right. God is holy, but we think of Him as austere, and that makes Him seem unapproachable. I like all your Bible quotes about laughter. Surely God wouldn’t have created us to laugh and promised situations where we would laugh if He didn’t approve of it. I think many animals are evidence of God’s humor, especially the mandrill with its blue and red face and bottom.
The bright bottom of a mandrill is definitely humorous! Good one. Thank you for commenting, Barbara!
I do think God has a sense of humor, Ashley! Have you watched The Visual Bible: Matthew? My children use to call him the laughing Jesus because he depicts Jesus’ sense of humor. It’s the Gospel of Matthew word-for-word and is well done. I highly recommend it!
No, I haven’t heard of that, but it sounds wonderful. I’ll keep it in mind. Thanks so much for your comment!
Yes, I think God has a sense of humour! I think humour is a great gift he has given us, which can brighten even really difficult situations. I hadn’t thought before that us having a sense of humour was part of us bearing his image, but that makes a lot of sense!
I agree that humor makes so many situations better. I often imagine God getting a kick out of our giggles—just like we do when we hear a baby laughing. Thank you for commenting!
I have always felt that God must have a wonderful sense of humor. When I laugh till my sides hurt and my eyes are tearing, I am reminded of the gift of laughter and that can only come from a God who also has a sense of humor. “God is holy and just, but He is also loving and loves to make us smile.” And He has gone to great lengths in creation to bring a smile. I so enjoyed this post, Ashley!
Yes, the tears and cramping sides are definitely a gift from God—as all good gifts are. I’m so glad you enjoyed this post, Joanne, and thank you for commenting!
Ashley, yes, i often picture God smiling, nodding His head as He looks down and watches His children take fledgling steps and grow slowly but surely …
What a wonderful to way to see God, huh? As a loving Father enjoying the laughter of His children. Thanks so much for stopping in, Linda!
Hi Ashley,
I love this perspective and definitely believe the Lord has a wonderful sense of humor.
An article I read at Outreach magazine shared a brilliant observation. “…Jesus turned his quick wit on the Pharisees with this cultural zinger: “You’re blind guides! You filter out a gnat, but you gulp down a camel!” (Matt. 23:24). His first-century Jewish audience would have found the gnat-and-camel imagery really funny is because it’s also a witty wordplay in Aramaic: “You filter out a galma,” Jesus says, “but you gulp down a gamla!” So hilarious in the original language!
What an interesting story, Tammy!