Does God have a sense of humor?

[Johann]

Does God have a sense of humor? I saw this question on another forum, and I find it troubling because it applies human traits to the Holy God. I would appreciate a clear answer grounded in Scripture.

@David

J.

 

[David]

That question only becomes foggy when we stop letting Scripture set the terms.The Bible never invites us to imagine God by projecting our personalities onto Him. God defines Himself. “God is light, and in him is no darkness at all” ~1 John 1:5. That alone shuts the door on casual ideas of humor, amusement, or entertainment.

Yes, Scripture says God laughs, but never like a man laughs. “He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision” ~Psalm 2:4. That is not comedy. That is judgment. That is the holy exposure of human pride before sovereign authority. When God “laughs,” rebellion evaporates, not smiles.

Scripture also says God delights, but again, the object is key. “The LORD taketh pleasure in them that fear him” ~Psalm 147:11. His delight is moral, righteous, intentional. It is never frivolous. It is never trivial.

The real danger is not in the question. The danger is in the answer. The moment we soften God into something relatable and cute, we stop fearing God. And where fear of God goes, obedience goes out the door with it. “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom” ~Proverbs 9:10.

So, the answer is obvious. Scripture does not depict God as humorous. It depicts Him as holy. Where the Bible ceases to speak, we cease to talk. Anything else is not insight. It is invention.

 

[bobinfaith]

Does God have a sense of humor? I saw this question on another forum, and I find it troubling because it applies human traits to the Holy God. I would appreciate a clear answer grounded in Scripture.
J.

Good morning, Johann;

I'm going to reply with a resounding yes to God's sense of humor. As David shared, "Yes, Scripture says God laughs, but never like a man laughs." and "The moment we soften God into something relatable and cute, we stop fearing God."

Keeping in mind we must uphold the reverence and fear of our God always and continuously throughout His Word and who He is.

An example is in Genesis 27 - 31. God exposes the "humor" in human behavior. We read how Isaac, Jacob, Rebekah, Esau, Laban, Leah and Rachel portray "righteous, respectable and hospitable Jews," at first. Then we see a flip flop of their characters as they go at it with each other.

My wife and I read the Bible every evening and in the New Year we're in Genesis. In our discussion of Genesis 27-31 we both agree on the humor during that time period, but the bigger picture is the message God will reveal to His people (and His disciples) later.

God bless you, Johann, and your entire family.

Bob

 

[Johann]

That question only becomes foggy when we stop letting Scripture set the terms.The Bible never invites us to imagine God by projecting our personalities onto Him. God defines Himself. “God is light, and in him is no darkness at all” ~1 John 1:5. That alone shuts the door on casual ideas of humor, amusement, or entertainment.

Yes, Scripture says God laughs, but never like a man laughs. “He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision” ~Psalm 2:4. That is not comedy. That is judgment. That is the holy exposure of human pride before sovereign authority. When God “laughs,” rebellion evaporates, not smiles.

Scripture also says God delights, but again, the object is key. “The LORD taketh pleasure in them that fear him” ~Psalm 147:11. His delight is moral, righteous, intentional. It is never frivolous. It is never trivial.

The real danger is not in the question. The danger is in the answer. The moment we soften God into something relatable and cute, we stop fearing God. And where fear of God goes, obedience goes out the door with it. “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom” ~Proverbs 9:10.

So, the answer is obvious. Scripture does not depict God as humorous. It depicts Him as holy. Where the Bible ceases to speak, we cease to talk. Anything else is not insight. It is invention.

Thanks, what I wanted to hear.

J.