RE: Tragic, Not Funny. ** OFF TOPIC **
John,
>> I think the entire story of some guy running around claiming to be the son of god only to be strung up by the people he was there to save extremely funny. <<
I think the word you're looking for is tragic, not funny. But there's certainly a lot of humor in the Bible.
Here are a couple of my favorite stories from the Bible that demonstrate the humor:
From I Samuel 5:
(The background: The Philistines had captured the Ark of the Covenent and had taken it back and put it before their "god" Dagon.)
1 And the Philistines took the ark of God, and brought it from Ebenezer unto Ashdod.
2 When the Philistines took the ark of God, they brought it into the house of Dagon, and set it by Dagon.
3 And when they of Ashdod arose early on the morrow, behold, Dagon was fallen upon his face to the earth before the ark of the LORD. And they took Dagon, and set him in his place again.
4 And when they arose early on the morrow morning, behold, Dagon was fallen upon his face to the ground before the ark of the LORD; and the head of Dagon and both the palms of his hands were cut off upon the threshold; only the stump of Dagon was left to him.
5 Therefore neither the priests of Dagon, nor any that come into Dagon's house, tread on the threshold of Dagon in Ashdod unto this day.
Here's another one, this time from I Kings 18:
(The background: The prophet Elijah had challenged 450 prophets of Baal. To determine whose god was the real God, Elijah suggests that both he and the prophets of Baal prepare offerings and that the answers with fire is the real God.)
21 And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word.
22 Then said Elijah unto the people, I, even I only, remain a prophet of the LORD; but Baal's prophets are four hundred and fifty men.
23 Let them therefore give us two bullocks; and let them choose one bullock for themselves, and cut it in pieces, and lay it on wood, and put no fire under: and I will dress the other bullock, and lay it on wood, and put no fire under:
24 And call ye on the name of your gods, and I will call on the name of the LORD: and the God that answereth by fire, let him be God. And all the people answered and said, It is well spoken.
25 And Elijah said unto the prophets of Baal, Choose you one bullock for yourselves, and dress it first; for ye are many; and call on the name of your gods, but put no fire under.
26 And they took the bullock which was given them, and they dressed it, and called on the name of Baal from morning even until noon, saying, O Baal, hear us. But there was no voice, nor any that answered. And they leaped upon the altar which was made.
27 And it came to pass at noon, that Elijah mocked them, and said, Cry aloud: for he is a god; either he is talking, or he is pursuing, or he is in a journey, or peradventure he sleepeth, and must be awaked.
(BTW, I've been there on Mt. Carmel where Elijah confronted the prophets of Baal. Awesome view. I have pictures on my web site.)
- Michael Coley
- wwol.com |
