Does God Have a Sense of Humor?
by Jack Cottrell (Notes) on Thursday, September 10, 2009 at 8:11am

One facebooker wonders (questions) whether God has a sense of humor. This could be taken in different ways. If one means, is he a comedian or joke-teller or practical joker, the answer is probably NO. If one means (as another facebooker puts it), does he have a sense of irony as some answers to prayer seem to suggest, the answer is a definite PROBABLY. If one means, does he ever do or experience something akin to human laughter, the answer is certainly YES.

Some think they detect humor in some of Jesus’ interactions with others as recorded in the Gospels, e.g., Elton Trueblood’s “The Humor of Christ.” If you google “humor of Christ” or “humor of Jesus,” you will find lots of references. Specific references to God laughing are Psalms 2:4; 37:15; 59:8; but these refer to the laughter of scorn or scoffing, not true humor. The rebellion and wickedness of sinners is not humorous, but it IS ridiculous–as if they think they can get away with it, or “put one over on God” thereby. On the other hand, Luke 15:10 says when a sinner repents there is JOY in the PRESENCE of the angels. It does not say the ANGELS as such are rejoicing (though they no doubt are), but someone in their PRESENCE. Who is in their presence? GOD. It is God who rejoices when a sinner repents, and his rejoicing must include at least a smile!