Joy in Leviticus?

God has a sense of humor.  I’m sure of this.  It’s clear right from the beginning where the story of Adam and Eve shows he was the first one ever to say, “You had one job!”

Sometimes I specifically look for the humor when I’m reading the bible.  Sometimes I’ve had an emotionally draining week, and I need God to help me laugh.  This was one of those weeks. 

The problem is that I’m currently reading Leviticus.  I know that entire book can be a punchline.  How many people have said, “I really wanted to read the bible cover to cover, but Leviticus?” 

God can do anything though.  Right?  He can even use the book that has made countless people throw up their hands in surrender as a bright spot in my life.  I was willing to let him try anyway.  It was a struggle.  I was eating my breakfast when I read about entrails and livers and fat on kidneys.  I was lucky I only lost my appetite and not the contents of my stomach.  I read about several sin offerings that had to be male before I found that the sheep had to be female.  I’m pretty sure there’s a joke in there about the nature of men and women.  I didn’t get it.

After reading about splashing blood everywhere, I read that the priests needed to dress in specific layered garments to handle the burnt offerings and then change into different garments to handle the ash heaps.  Then I’m just thinking… laundry.  This is a book about laundry.  I got impatient and started flipping to read headings of bodily discharges and uncleanness, which sounds like even more laundry. 

I was about to give up when I pictured God shaking his mighty head sadly at me, thinking, “I can’t believe you thought you were going to find something funny in Leviticus.”  And that’s when I laughed.  Thanks, God.  I knew you could do anything.