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Prophets, by their very nature, are supposed to be solemn, serious, and authoritative figures in a religion. But in certain cases they can be playful and humorous, too. For instance, ancient Sumerian prophets were known for their riddles and jokes that they used to entertain and inform their audience.
In these days of high-stakes politics, we could use some levity. A prophet may be an authority, but they don’t have to be a bore. In ancient Sumeria, these prophets used humor and playfulness to make their messages stick with the audience.
In today’s world, we might expect a prophet to stick with a serious tone, but that’s not always what we get. The prophets in our Bible, for example, can be found telling jokes or using sarcasm to get their point across. Elijah, when asked to prophesy a sign, responded that he would look like one of these prophets.
Maybe we’d benefit from a little humor from our prophets. Perhaps they could explain the world in terms of a new video game or a sci-fi movie. Maybe they could use a little satire to make a point.
Whatever the case may be, prophets have been known for more than just their prophecies. They’ve been funny as well, using humor to keep their people engaged and their message clear. So let us not forget that a prophet can be playful, too, and use these qualities to their advantage.
What are some examples of historical texts that demonstrate this playful aspect of prophetic communication?
There are many examples throughout history of prophets using humor and playfulness to communicate their messages. Here are a few examples:
1. Sumerian Prophets: These ancient Sumerian prophets were known for using riddles, jokes, and humor in their messages. One of their most famous examples is the riddle used by prophet Enoch in “Genesis” to describe the future of the world: “A prophet appeared to Enoch in his vision, and he was in fear. He asked the prophet, ‘I am a man of the earth; I am an innocent man, and only one life have I been able to complete. I do not know how long I am to live.’”
2. Old Testament Prophets: In many Old Testament stories, prophets use humor and playfulness to get their points across. Examples include Elijah using a donkey to deliver a message to Jezebel in 1 Kings 18, or Elisha using a donkey’s head to feed a hungry crowd in 2 Kings 4.
3. New Testament Prophets: In addition to the example of Elijah in the Old Testament, there are many examples of Jesus using humor and playfulness in the New Testament. One example is in Luke 15, where Jesus tells a man at a table that he has not found a better way to show his gratitude to God. The man then quotes a proverb to justify his behavior, but Jesus responds, “But the one who, after being made perfect, became perfect no longer, then, having become perfect, he was very different than previous prophets.”
4. Jewish Prophets: In the Jewish tradition, there are many examples of prophets using humor and playfulness to deliver messages. One example is the Prophet Isaiah, who in Isaiah 9:6-7 uses the metaphor of a donkey to describe the humble nature of the coming Messiah. The donkey is often used throughout the Bible as a symbol of humility and lowliness, and is often used as a metaphor for the Messiah’s humility and gentleness.
