Dont some translations say 'and God scoffed' instead? But I still think there is humor, it takes understanding of Jewish culture and text to understand where some of the humor may lie. I'll keep thinkin about it.
But to deny that God has humor, idk I think He does because laughter and joy can include humor. But like I said, a lot of the humor we think of is course humor. So if Paul talks about course jokes/humor, maybe there is good humor too?
You know, I personally havent ever met anyone who was truly joyful who didnt know how to laugh, or who refused themselves laughter altogether. But thats my personal experience among those who I would consider to be truly joyful and edifying souls in Christ. Now they might not laugh at crude joking, or at that which is offensive and coarse, or find any humor (whatsoever) in the hurting of another (that which comes at anothers expense). Nor in that which puts itself out as indelicate and offensive for the sake of being funny. But those I might count as the most joyful in Christ do have the warmest smiles and the ability to laugh at things, it just depends on what. And there are some things, even ridiculous things you just cant help but laugh at even if its just within yourself.
I laugh more at myself and my own missing of things like (for example) something in a conversation (something will fly right by me) and Im like, "you dunce" wheres your head? lol. And I do laugh at myself more then anything else. And alot of the time (at least to me) being able to do that has a tendency to set others more at ease around you. Well, especially when you can make fun of yourself just a little. And others (also) dont have to feel like they have to walk on eggshells around you or feel they might get grabbed by the throat and thrown to the ground at their every little misstep around you either.
But I have also found most folks who can laugh "at themselves" (and who can do so tend to set others "at ease" around them). These often arent the same culprits known for "laughing at" others (to make themselves feel superior) but "the other" a fool (in their particular doings). These seem to have more of a stalking way about them, that constant "seeking to" find a moment to pull the rug out from under you and laugh at your expense (kind of way). They have that tendency to make the other feel they are being made sport of (or the butt of their every joke).
By this I mean "their wittiness" or humor needs a target (or a scapegoat) and these (in most cases) would never direct it to their own self (to spare another) but at their targets expense.
Its like theres two kinds of folks who laugh for different reasons. One who is genuinely joyful and warm and has the effect of "setting others at ease" with them). The other is miserable (and cold) and out of spite ( and to the contrary) makes others feel uneasy (even foolish). So one can laugh with another (making them feel warm welcome, and comfortable) the other laughs at another (making them feel excluded, targeted, and uncomfortable).
And though this is certainly not the context of this thread, in respects to "joking" in a deliberate sense (of telling a joke) to provoke laughter (in any sense) we all know when someone does something embarrassing (and we might cringe) thinking, "oh my goodness I'd be mortified if I were them right now!" (lol) But then you might come up behind that person and let them know they either tucked their dress in the back of their pantyhose, or are walking out of the rest room with 50 feet of toilet paper on their shoe, or they have a big slab of spinach draped over their two front teeth (or "whatever", use your imagination). But you might laugh and say, you might not be aware of this (and tell them) and you (being sensitive to how embarrassing that is) might include a "dont worry about it and tell em' your own little embarassing moment. To the intent of lessening how utterly mortified they might feel. I'm so appreciative for folks who have done that for me. And we've all seen such times when folks both laugh together over something like that. That is harmless, there are things we laugh at (whether within ourselves) or outloud in various scenarios similarly.
Babies laugh, they do that awesome belly giggle thing that will shoot a smile across anyones face, and cause more laughter to erupt then any paid comedian. They ofcourse, can do it without actually "telling a joke" or without actually responding to one (so told). I have stood up and banged my head (or just sneezed) and my daughter would burst out into tears laughing. Then she got me laughing too, even at myself lol.
I can laugh at a cute story or embarrassing circumstance (another shares with me) even to the intent of easing my own embarrasment.
However, I have been convicted for stepping over the line myself as I shared here before, especially if I do so too much and had to examine myself, put limits on myself for a time, as to where with whom and how much, and I have had to hold myself back some, because its easy for me to step over the line.
And I look at it this way, some folks have anger issues I (personally) have humor issues, because I use it to deal better, with meanness, confrontation, others pride and provocation, and various others temperments I encounter. Especially in awkward situations, or when someone feels left outside (or they were made the butt of a joke) and I have this need (or want) to turn those tables for them, that type thing.
Whoa, that was longwinded, sorry about that
It's like yet another example of Spirit vs flesh
