Was Elijah justified to mock the prophets of Baal in 1st Kings 18:27? By Jack Kettler
“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.” (1st Kings 18:27)
Was Elijah justified to use language the Bible calls jesting? Does 1st Kings 18:27 contradict Ephesians 5:4, which forbids jesting?
Synonyms for jesting:
Ridiculing, deriding, scornful, and mocking.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on 1st Kings 18:27:
“At noon; when they had long tried all means in vain.”
“Elijah mocked them; derided them and their gods, which were indeed, and had now proved themselves to be, ridiculous and contemptible things. By this example we see that all jesting is not unlawful, but only that which intrencheth upon piety and good manners. See Poole “Ephesians 5:4.” (underlining emphasis mine)
“Either he is talking, or he is pursuing, or he is in a journey; he is employed about some other business, and hath not leisure to mind you; for being a god of a small and narrow understanding, he cannot mind two things at once, and you are immodest and unreasonable to expect it from him.” (1)
Matthew Poole's Commentary regarding Ephesians 5:4:
“Neither filthiness; obscenity in discourse, filthy communication, Colossians 3:8.”
“Nor foolish talking; affectation of foolish, vain speech, (whether jocose or serious), unprofitable, to the hearers.”
“Nor jesting; either the same as the former, as may seem by the disjunctive particle nor, which may be by way of explication; or (which is of kin to it) scurrility in discourse, which is many times, by them that are addicted to it, called by the name of urbanity, or jesting: for all that jesting is not here condemned appears by 1 Kings 18:27 Isaiah 14:11.”
“Which are not convenient; viz. for saints.”
“But rather giving of thanks; i.e. to God for mercies received, which will better cheer up and recreate the mind than foolish talking and jesting can.” (2)
How are these two passages resolved to escape the charge of contradiction? In the first citation by Poole, he qualifies his comments:
“By this example we see that all jesting is not unlawful, but only that which intrencheth upon piety and good manners.”
The Pulpit Commentary agrees with Poole regarding jesting:
“Verse 4. - And filthiness; αἰσχρότης, implying that such things are disgraceful, ugly, revolting, the opposite of καλός, fair, comely, attractive. And foolish talking or jesting, which are not becoming. This would be well understood in sensual, frivolous Ephesus; a light, bantering, jesting kind of talk, seasoned with double entendres and obscene allusions, very pernicious in its moral effect. There is no reason to suppose that the apostle meant to condemn all play of humor, which is a Divine gift, and which in moderation has its own useful place as a means of refreshing and invigorating the spirit; it was the jesting associated with ribaldry that drew his reproof. But rather giving of thanks. Αὐχαριστία is somewhat similar in sound to εὐτραπελία, jesting: the reason for putting the one in opposition to the other is not very apparent; the meaning seems to be that, in place of giving vent to lively feelings in frivolous talk and jesting, it is better for Christians to do so by pouring out their hearts in thanksgivings to God for all his goodness. Ephesians 5:4” (3)
Both Poole and the Pulpit Commentary see a limitation of the restrictions of Ephesians 5:4 regarding jesting. Ephesians 5:4 forbids “foolish jesting.” Thus, humor in plays, films, and literature is permitted.
In conclusion:
Moreover, another area where jesting or mocking is permitted is in 1st Kings 18:27, and it has apologetic value.
1st Kings 18:27 is an example of presuppositional or worldview apologetics in action. One element of this apologetic is assuming the opponent’s position for the sake of argument and then reducing it to the logical conclusion, absurdity where, “Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit” (Proverbs 26:5) comes in. Elijah’s jesting was not foolish and, therefore, is not in violation of Ephesians 5:4.
The Biblical case for satire and mocking:
What can be learned from 1st Kings 18:20-40 and Elijah's victory over the Priests of Baal? Elijah mocked the priests of Baal by saying that maybe their god was off in some other land giving them water, or he was asleep. Similarly, freedom lovers can mock the priests of Baal, i.e., politicians and wicked government rulers today who promote the false god of statism.
Idols are to be cast down:
The deification of the state takes place when it claims ownership of all things, including the right to make laws without reference to God’s law revealed in Scripture. When this happens, the state becomes idolatrous. In such cases, the Church and the individual Christian must resist. Submission to idols is not a doctrine taught in Scripture.
R. J. Rushdoony explains this concept of statist idolatry in one brief statement:
“It must be recognized that in any culture the source of law is the god of that society.”
“Rousas John Rushdoony was an American Calvinist philosopher, historian, and theologian. He is credited as being the father of Christian Reconstructionism and an inspiration for the modern Christian homeschool movement.” – Wikipedia.
Rushdoony notes that if the law’s source in society is the state, it has asserted divinity.
“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15)
1. Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible, 1 Kings, Vol. 1, (Peabody, Massachusetts, Hendrickson Publishers, 1985) p. 701.
2. Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible, Ephesians, Vol. 3, (Peabody, Massachusetts, Hendrickson Publishers, 1985) p. 675.
3. H. D. M. Spence and Joseph S. Exell, The Pulpit Commentary, Ephesians, Vol. 20., (Grand Rapids, Michigan, Eerdmans Publishing Company reprint 1978), p. 298.
Mr. Kettler has previously published articles in the Chalcedon Report and Contra Mundum. He and his wife Marea attend the Westminster, CO, RPCNA Church. Mr. Kettler is the author of books defending the Reformed Faith. Books can be ordered online at: Amazon