I felt that I misunderstood the context of some verses when I first read the Bible. There were times when it sounded like sarcasm, satire, and even irony. After years of reading the scripture, I don’t think I misunderstood at all. I am pretty sure that God uses satire.
The term satire actually encompasses sarcasm and irony. The definition of satire is, “the use of irony, sarcasm, and humor to criticize or show the ignorance of people”. And I think that we find this in some scriptures and even in some of Jesus’s dialogue.
We seem to see satire when Jesus spoke to the Pharisees. One example is in Matthew 23:23-24. Jesus told the Pharisees that they were blind guides. The Pharisees led people in how to cleanse themselves of their sins. They explained to them what God considered clean and unclean and how to offer up sacrifices as a means of being forgiven of their sins.
But Jesus reminds them that they themselves were missing out on the bigger issues. So, Jesus said to them, “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices–mint, dill and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law–justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former. 24- You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel.” Matthew 23:23-24. They weren’t actually straining gnats and swallowing camels. This was sarcasm and hyperbole. This sure seems like God uses satire.
Some of God’s irony is a little more obscure such as in Psalm 14:1. “To the choirmaster. Of David. The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds, there is none who does good”.
When we consider those of this age who say vehemently that “there is no God”, we find that they are typically those that society would consider brilliant. In reality, when you consider how powerfully God’s creation declares His glory, it is clear that only a fool says “there is no God”.
The irony in these verses is that the world and culture today would say that evolutionists and evolutionary scientists (who proclaim “there is no God”) possess incredible intellect. Yet God’s word says that those who say “there is no God”, are fools. Their intellect keeps them from seeing the truth. So, in reality, they are actually fools. Isn’t it ironic, don’t you think? 🙂
Jesus thanked God for the way that He reveals Himself to the childlike. “At that time Jesus prayed this prayer: “O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, thank you for hiding these things from those who think themselves wise and clever, and for revealing them to the childlike.” Matthew 11:25 (NLT).
I believe that God uses satire. But He uses it in the way that it was designed to be used. And that is to “criticize or show the ignorance of people”. But only to those people who would defy the truth. And to those who would reject Him. Those people would also do everything they could to convince others to follow their thinking and not God and His Truth.
God doesn’t use satire in a vindictive way. When it seems as though God uses satire, it is to reveal to the rest of us that these people do NOT know what they are talking about and we should not follow their thinking.
God’s word is inerrant (without error). And He breathed out (or gave it to) us. The Holy Spirit spoke to the writer’s hearts and instructed them what to write. “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,” 2 Timothy 3:16.
And He cannot lie. “In hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began” Titus 1:2. His word(s) are truth. “Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.” John 17:17.
And God’s word says that He desires to reveal Himself to every human being. It also says that He does reveal Himself to everyone and that none would have any excuse for not coming to know Him. None would be able to stand before Him and say, “I didn’t know.” Because His creation alone glorifies Him so mightily that we should know that He exists. “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities–his eternal power and divine nature–have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse” Romans 1:20.
Jesus died for all of mankind. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16. Even those Pharisees and the “brilliant” evolutionists and evolutionary scientists.
Not only did Jesus die for them too, but God patiently waits for them to repent and come to Him. “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9.
Yes, I believe that God uses satire. But He is using satire to protect the rest of us from those who would deceive us. And even to show them that what they are saying and believing is foolishness. “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” 1 Corinthians 1:18.
As followers of Christ, we have the truth. Yes, it seems as though God uses satire, but we don’t have to. Those who speak and believe foolishness and foolish things, like “God doesn’t exist”, are not our enemies. These people are deceived. They do not know the Truth. They are destined to be separated from God unless someone can change their mind. And, we have the truth that can do it.
Instead of rejecting, pushing back, and/or using satire, we can win them over to the Lord with our patience and love. “By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.” Matthew 7:16-17. We have that good fruit and they will notice and be drawn to God, if we walk in love.
Let’s love those around us (even those who reject God). And let’s do it in such a way that God can be seen in us. And, because of that love, we can hope (and pray) that they will desire a relationship with God as well.
Father God, we praise and thank you for the way that you reveal yourself in creation. We praise and thank you that you desire that not a single person would perish. We know that you love, even those who hate you, Father. Help us to reveal your love to them, so that they might repent and seek you, Father. Thank you for your word and for the way that it speaks to each of us. Thank you that you do not lie and that your word is truth. Speak to us through your word, Father. And speak through us to those who currently reject you. Help us to glorify and honor you, Lord. We pray this in your precious and holy name, Jesus.
Are you confused as to what to believe? Do you wonder about God and the possibility of having a relationship with Him? I am here to tell you that God wants a relationship with you. He wants to adopt you as His own beloved and precious child. All that He asks is that you seek Him with your whole heart and repent of the sins that you have committed. He promises to forgive you (He forgave me and there was a lot of sin to be forgiven). 🙂 “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” 1 John 1:9. The only thing necessary to obtain that forgiveness and to step into that beautiful, loving, relationship with God, is a simple prayer. A prayer of repentance prayed from the bottom of your heart.
There is a prayer like this outlined on our Life Preserver page (https://forgiven-n-loved.com/life-preserver/). Please go to this page and pray that prayer (or one like it). God is patiently waiting for you to seek Him. He loves you so much.
Once you have prayed this prayer, please reach out to me at admin@Forgiven-N-Loved.com. I’d love to be in prayer with and for you.
Luv Ya!
