On The Lighter Side

My friend and preaching colleague, Kent Heaton, publishes a blog, Minute Moments.

He recently posted these Bible riddles, questions and quips on facebook, entitled “The Lighter Side.” With so much negativity, problems, and pressures in our world today, maybe a bit of humor on this Friday would serve us well.

Enjoy

Who were the three shortest men in the Bible?

Bildad the shoe-height (Job 2:11), Knee-high Miah (Nehemiah 1:1), and the man who fell asleep on his watch (Mark 14:37).

Which animal on Noah’s Ark had the highest level of intelligence?

The giraffe.

Little Bobby: “Mom, why was nothing said about the other person that Jesus raised from the dead together with Lazarus?”

Mom: “Oh dear, now where did you learn that there were other persons? It was only Lazarus.”

Little Bobby: “But mom, every time I read that verse, I cannot help but assume there were at least four persons.”

Mom: “Now, why would you assume something like that?”

Little Bobby: ‘Cause Lazarus came fourth – John 11:43.

Where is the first tennis match mentioned in the Bible?

When Joseph served in Pharaoh’s court.

What excuse did Adam give to his children as to why he no longer lived in Eden?

Your mother ate us out of house and home.

Who was the smartest man in the Bible?

Abraham. He knew a Lot.

What animal could Noah not trust?

Cheetah

A boy was watching his father, a preacher, write a sermon. “How do you know what to say?” he asked.

“Why, God tells me,” the father replied.

“Oh, then why do you keep crossing things out?”

Who was the greatest comedian in the Bible?

Samson. He brought the house down.

What kind of man was Boaz before he married?

Ruthless.

Which Bible character had no parents?

Joshua, son of Nun (Joshua 1:1).

Ok, I think I hear a few groans coming thought the internet. Don’t blame Ken. Blame Kent.

However, remember our God is a God of humor. He made you, didn’t He? And me.

Actually, the Bible contains a good bit a humor, but much of it is subtle. And often hidden in the language differences. But there is humor found in irony, sarcasm, word-play, exaggeration, hyperbole, imagery and funny situations.

The book of Proverbs has some expressions that will bring a smile to your face. Proverbs 11:22 says, “Like a gold ring in a pig’s snout is a beautiful woman who shows no discretion.” What a visual description.

How funny is it that God spoke to Balaam through the mouth of a donkey? Can’t you hear God laughing at Balaam’s surprised look?

Then there’s Samson who killed 1,000 Philistine enemies of God with the jawbone of a donkey. (For a more emphatic effect some may prefer to substitute the KJV rendering for donkey).

Looking closely at the life of Jesus, you see a good bit a humor.  Consider his imagery of a man with a plank protruding out of eye, Or a rich man trying to go through the eye of needle,

The Bible advises that, “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones” (Proverbs 17:22). While we live in perilous times that vexes our souls, let’s not lose our sense of humor. Or the joy of our faith. And who knows? Our jubilant spirit just may bring a smile to God’s face.

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman

(Note: Readers, feel free to share your favorite Bible example of humor, or Bible riddle, joke, or irony in the comments section)