Humor, Joy, and God's Design in Animals

 After watching a few funny animal videos on YouTube, I found myself really thinking about the humor in animals. It's fascinating how something so deeply human—laughter and play—could also be woven into the lives of animals in a way that reflects God’s design. Humor isn’t just a human thing, after all; it’s part of God’s creation, and I believe that animals reflect some of God’s divine playfulness in ways we don't always realize.

When you look at the world through the lens of Scripture, it becomes clear that God's creation is full of joy and lightness. Genesis 1:31 tells us that “God saw all that He had made, and it was very good.” The word “good” here is the Hebrew tov (טוֹב), which doesn't just mean “functional” but carries a sense of delight, pleasure, and beauty. God’s creation is not just designed to work—it’s designed to bring joy. And within that joyful design, animals are included, not just as tools to serve us human’s needs, but as creatures with intrinsic value. They, too, reflect the goodness of God’s work. Their emotional and behavioral expressions—the playful and sometimes hilarious antics we see in animals—are part of that goodness. It’s as though their very existence is a reflection of God's playful heart.

Take, for instance, how animals play. It’s so common, we might overlook it, but think about how animals engage with the world around them. A dog rolling around in joy, wagging its tail, or chasing after a ball—these are not just survival behaviors. They seem to show that animals experience contentment and joy. This kind of play is tied to emotional states of happiness, comfort, and security. It’s not just instinct; it’s an emotional expression that goes deeper. God, in His divine creativity, has designed animals not just to survive, but to experience joy. Their playfulness, in a way, mirrors God’s playful nature in how He created the world.

I think it’s important to realize that animals, though their emotional expressions are different from ours, still experience deep emotional states. The Greek word pathos (πάθος), meaning “feeling” or “emotion,” is often used in the New Testament to describe the deep emotional state of Christ, especially His compassion. When we look at animals—cats purring, birds chirping, or horses playing—we’re seeing emotional expressions that mirror the pathos of God’s care for creation. It’s as if God designed them with the capacity to experience, and even express, joy in a way that reflects His own heart.

From a biological standpoint, animals have evolved certain behaviors that go beyond mere survival. Play, for instance, is important for the social development and physical coordination of animals, particularly mammals. Social species like elephants, dolphins, and wild cats like the lion, engage in play that’s not just about reproduction or survival—it’s about connection. Play, in these cases, strengthens social bonds, something we see reflected in the way humans connect through laughter. There’s something humorous in how animals play, especially when it seems so deliberate or intricate. The playful behaviors of dolphins, who engage with objects and each other in joyful interactions, or the way squirrels share moments of joy together, are all part of a detailed social fabric. This playfulness, I think, echoes the joy found in Scripture.

Psalm 104:26 says, “There the ships go, and the Leviathan, which You formed to frolic there.” The word frolic in Hebrew (רָקַד raqad), carries the idea of delight and joyful movement. Even this great, majestic creature—the Leviathan—was created to move with joy. It’s a beautiful picture of God’s creation, not as something strictly utilitarian or functional, but as something that thrives and delights. The same can be said for the playful creatures around us. Even their joy is a reflection of God’s creative heart.

The more I think about it, the more I’m struck by the idea that joy is at the heart of God’s creation. Psalm 16:11 says, “In Your presence there is fullness of joy.” It’s a reminder that joy is not just a human experience. It’s part of God’s presence in all of creation. And in animals, we see that joy expressed through their playful actions, their interactions with the world, and with each other. Proverbs 8:30-31 paints a beautiful picture of divine joy when it speaks of Wisdom, personified: “Then I was the craftsman at His side, I was filled with delight day after day, rejoicing always in His presence, rejoicing in His whole world and delighting in mankind.” The joy and delight of creation come from God’s own heart, and animals—being part of that creation—express this joy in their own unique way.

And the more we look, the more we realize that animals are far from being creatures just acting purely on instinct. They have personalities, emotions, and even a sense of humor. Take monkees, for example. They laugh. They play. Their laughter even mirrors ours in some ways. Their playful behavior—whether it’s in the form of mimicry, gentle teasing, or social games—speaks to a deep emotional connection. It’s not just the release of tension; it’s a form of communication, bonding, and joy.

In some ways, humor in animals mirrors the healing and connecting power of humor in humans. There’s something about laughter—whether it's in a human or an animal—that brings us together, eases stress, and fosters connection. When we see a dog chase its tail or a monkey swing through the trees with joy, we can’t help but smile. These animals are sharing in a universal experience of joy, reminding us of the divine playfulness woven into the fabric of creation. They give us a taste of the divine humor that God has woven into the world.

It’s a reminder that God’s creation is more than just functional; it’s beautiful and delightful in ways we may not always see at first. Animals’ humor, their playfulness, is not an accident of biology. It’s a reflection of God’s design, and a reminder that He is joyful, playful, and full of life. Through the eyes of animals, we get a glimpse of God’s own heart—a heart that delights in creation and in us.

So the next time you see a dog wagging its tail in excitement, a bird hopping in delight, or a monkey swinging through the trees with a grin, remember that these playful moments are not just biological behaviors—they’re reflections of God’s joy. His laughter. His love for all creation. And in these moments, you are invited to join in, to share in that joy, and to marvel at the divine playfulness that exists not just in us, but in all of creation.

I hope this message blessed you. If so, please leave a comment. I look forward to hearing from you.

Anna M. C. Hazen  2025

The image is from what I found online