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Isaiah 45:7
“I form the light, and create darkness:
I make peace, and create evil:
I the LORD do all these things.”
The following commentary on Isaiah 45:7, from Matthew Henry, provides explanation of the context of this verse:
“That he is Lord of all, and there is nothing done without him : I form the light, which is grateful and pleasing, and I create darkness, which is grievous and unpleasing. I make peace (put here for all good) and I create evil, not the evil of sin (God is not the author of that), but the evil of punishment. I the Lord order, and direct, and do all these things. Observe, (1.) The very different events that befall the children of men. Light and darkness are opposite to each other, and yet, in the course of providence, they are sometimes intermixed, like the morning and evening twilights, neither day nor night, Zechariah. 14:6. There’s a mixture of joys and sorrows in the same cup, allays to each other. Sometimes they are counterchanged, as noonday light and midnight darkness. In the revolution of every day each takes its turn, and there are short transitions from the one to the other, witness Job’s case. (2.) The self-same cause of both, and that is he that is the first Cause of all: I the Lord, the fountain of all being, am the fountain of all power. He who formed the natural light (Gen. 1. 3) still forms the providential light. He who at first made peace among the jarring seeds and principles of nature makes peace in the affairs of men. He who allowed the natural darkness, which was a mere privation, creates the providential darkness; for concerning troubles and afflictions he gives positive orders. Note, The wise God has the ordering and disposing of all our comforts, and all our crosses, in this world.”
Is it not from the mouth of the Most High that both calamities and good things come?
Lamentations 3:38
To state that “God sends or allows evil”, has been perceived by some, as stating that God has some degree of evil in Himself.
Sometimes it can take a fair amount of discussion to examine what’s meant, but on this matter, the Word of God clearly states there is no evil in Him at all, God is neither the author or origin of evil or sin, and we can be sure that God isn’t ever going to be adversely affected or influenced by evil.
1 John 1:5
“This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.”
“… let us remember that our ruin is attributable to our own depravity, that we may not insinuate a charge against God himself,” John Calvin.
I’ve found four sources of evil identified in The Word; they’re the devil, his angels, evil spirits (demons), and mankind:
- Speaking of the devil in Ezekiel 28:15 “You were perfect in your ways from the day that you were created, till iniquity was found in you.”
And of the primary penalty when evil was found in the devil and his angels (The final penalty is for them to be thrown into the lake of fire for eternity. Ref: Matthew 25:41 Then also He will say to those on the left, ‘Depart from Me, those being cursed, into the eternal fire, having been prepared for the devil and his angels.) Revelation 12:9 “And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceives the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.“ - Evil Spirits: Luke 7:21 “And in that same hour he cured many of their infirmities and plagues, and of evil spirits; and to many that were blind he gave sight.”
- Mankind: Genesis 6:5 “And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.”
Genesis 8:21 “And the LORD smelled a sweet savour; and the LORD said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man’s sake; for the imagination of man’s heart is evil from his youth;… “
If you’re presently experiencing adversity, consider first, a little of the great love which God has for you;
1 John 3:1 “Behold, what manner of love the Father has bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God:”
God The Father sent Christ Jesus, not to condemn the sons of God, but to bear their sins! In John 10:10, Christ said; “I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”
So with these beautiful truths in mind, we need to remember, there’s only one present condition and end which God has planned for His Saints;
Philippians 1:6 “Being confident of this very thing, that he who has begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:”.
Children of God.
Adversity is common to all mankind, but the children of God are called by this term because God’s love to man has been practically applied by Him adopting many sons into His heavenly family through Christ’s death;
Hebrews 2:10 For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the leader of their salvation perfect through sufferings.
When adversity is a form of Gods discipline of ones personal sin; it’s possible in this case, that the first response to the adversity may not be one based on faith, because faith is diminished as sin is permitted, and fellowship with God (joy, peace, wisdom, contentment…) is reduced due to the actions which one is being disciplined for; but the disciplinary work of God in His children, results in fruit and praise to His glory, and the Saint’s joy, so He guides from the path of error, onto the path of righteousness. The distance from the path of sin, to the path of righteousness is as close as repentance.
Romans 8:15-16 “.but you’ve received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself bears witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:”,
His Fatherly love for His children is faultless; earthly fathers fail in responsibility to love their children, but He leads and disciplines His children for their good, and for His glory without ever failing.
Psalm 119:75 I know, O Lord, that your judgments are right, and that you in faithfulness have afflicted me.
To be a child of God, and understand and rest in the knowledge that God loves His children, is to be in a place of peace, regardless of the adversities.
There are many reasons for adversity:
- It’s an opportunity to shine for God’s glory:
2 Corinthians 4:11 “For we which live are always delivered to death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.” - It may be sent or permitted as a prompting in one to work the soil for suitability for seed to grow in:
Hosea 10:12 “Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it’s time to seek the Lord, till he come and rain righteousness upon you.” - It may be an occasion to provide me with experience that will help me appreciate the suffering of a brother or sister so that I can better bear their load with them:
2 Corinthians 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ. 6 Now if we are afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effective for enduring the same sufferings which we also suffer. Or if we are comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation. 7 And our hope for you is steadfast, because we know that as you are partakers of the sufferings, so also you will partake of the consolation. - It may be a form of pruning to produce healthier fruit on less wood;
John 15:2 Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. - The Adversity may be evil opposition to the presence of righteousness; It’s stated in scripture, that anyone who follows in Christ’s teaching will suffer for Him, this suffering takes more than just the form of denying the desires of the flesh; as seen in Christ, it took Him all the way to death on a cross; and even in our present time, Saints are being persecuted to death for their faith.
Revelation 2:10 Don’t fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you’ll have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I’ll give you the crown of life.
2 Timothy 1:8 “Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord or of me His prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God”
Philippians 1:29 “For to you it has been granted for Christ’s sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake.”
The passage quoted earlier in Hebrews 2:10 tells of Christ the leader of our salvation being made perfect through sufferings; that is; His perfection was seen to be so by His completing the bearing of sufferings in perfect righteousness, and in doing so, He marked out the path that we’re to follow, even though it’s clearly evident that we can’t do the same to the fullness He did, He was God manifest in flesh, perfect and we’re still in a corruptible form until “When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable and the mortal with immortality…”, and we are changed so that “…what we will be has not yet been revealed. We know that when Christ appears, we will be like Him, for we will see Him as He is…” Ref. 1 John 3:2 & 1 Corinthians 15:53 , so that then in His presence, having departed from this corrupt body our spirit will be free from this corruptible body awaiting the day of it being clothed in resurrected incorruptible bodies when Christ returns, but until then we’re called to suffer for Christ.
Seeing with Spiritual Eyes
To understand that the adversities are either sent or allowed by God, and to submit to what He’s teaching in the adversity, is to be walking on a path where our eyes are seeing more like Elisha’s than his servant’s:
2 Kings 6:15-17 “And when the attendant of the man of God rose early and went forth, behold, an army surrounded the city, with horses and chariots. And his servant said to him, Alas, my master! how shall we do? And he said, Fear not, for they that are with us are more than they that are with them. And Elisha prayed and said, Jehovah, I pray thee, open his eyes that he may see. And Jehovah opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw; and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.”
The flesh’s response isn’t to look to God for the answer of how to respond in the adversity, but instead, it foolishly blames others, or complains about it’s suffering, falls into despair, or becomes angry/aggressive; it says things like “If you only knew what I’m going through…”.
Some predominately blame adversity on others, regardless of their own contribution to it; while some may have an introspective view of adversity, saying “what have I done to cause this problem?” regardless of what others have done to cause it. If I am the cause of it but not aware of my part in it, God may reveal that if I ask in humility, as King David prayed in Psalm 139 23-24 “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.“.
Since Adam, all of mankind is affected by sin to various degrees, and Christ was sent to free God’s elect from the power of sin, so He works through each occasion of it’s impact regardless of how it commenced.
When my eyes are raised to God, I’ll know that:
- He’s greater in power than any adversity I’m experiencing,
- He has the answer to guide me through it for His glory;
- Because He’s for me, I have nothing to fear;
- He who has begun a good work in me, will complete it! ref. Phil 1:6
- The “momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison,” 2 Cor 4:17
- Many who’ve lived before me have victoriously gone through substantially greater adversities, even to death, and He never left them!
Don’t rush to respond.
When I understand that adversity/evil is allowed or sent by God, and I respond by way of trusting His hand in the situation; Then from a position of faith, rather than a defensive, fearful, or oppressed reception of the adversity, I’ll grow as I submit to His work.
Joseph is one of many who’ve been recorded as living by faith in God; When his brothers worked in hatred against him, he humbly accepted the actions, trusting in God to keep him no matter what his circumstances, when his brothers came to him apologising for their evil actions, he responded by acknowledging God’s work in their actions, and held no anger against them:
Genesis 50:20 “But as for you, you thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.“
Rather than being overcome by the evil against him, Joseph lived by trusting God, and reaped the fruit of that trust. Genesis 41:52 “God has caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction.”
Adversity may be answered prayer.
If I’ve prayed for God to make me more like Christ, it’s possible the adversity has been allowed or sent, as a provision to change or teach me.
When cattle are being directed to go as the farmer wants, he uses an object such as a sharp prod; a similar instance is mentioned of Saul (Paul), when he was resisting being redirected by God: Acts 9:5 “…it’s hard for you to kick against the pricks“.
I don’t know the depths of what I still need to know (I couldn’t live long enough to get to that depth), but there’s a time to learn, and God knows best how, what and when I should learn. Adversity is opportunity provided by God’s grace, to help me learn more of His ways, and to cut off more of the man of flesh.
Psalm 119:71
It’s good for me that I’ve been afflicted; that I might learn your statutes.
“God’s hand is never closer than when He prunes the vine.”
More Scriptural Examples of God Sending or Allowing Adversity:
1 Samuel 16:14
But the Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the Lord troubled him. 15 And Saul’s servants said unto him, Behold now, an evil spirit from God troubles you.
1 Kings 22:20-23
“And the Lord said, Who’ll persuade Ahab, that he may go up and fall at Ramothgilead? And one said on this manner, and another said on that manner. 21 And there came forth a spirit, and stood before the Lord, and said, I’ll persuade him. 22 And the Lord said unto him, How? And he said, I’ll go forth, and I’ll be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets. And he said, You shall persuade him, and prevail also: go forth, and do so. 23 Now therefore, behold, the Lord has put a lying spirit in the mouth of all these your prophets, and the Lord has spoken evil concerning you.”
Job 1:12 “And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, all that he has is in your power; only upon himself put not forth your hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD.”
Psalm 78:49 “He cast upon them the fierceness of his anger, wrath, and indignation, and trouble, by sending evil angels among them.“
Ecclesiastes 7:14 “In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity consider: God also has set the one over against the other, to the end that man should find nothing after him.“
Isaiah 30:20 “And though the Lord give you the bread of adversity, and the water of affliction, yet your teachers shall not be removed into a corner any more, but your eyes shall see your teachers:“
Jeremiah19:3 “…Hear you the word of the LORD, O kings of Judah, and inhabitants of Jerusalem; Thus say’s the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will bring evil upon this place, the which whosoever hears, his ears shall tingle.“
Jeremiah 26:3 “If so be they will hearken, and turn every man from his evil way, that I may repent me of the evil, which I purpose to do unto them because of the evil of their doings.“
Jeremiah 29:17 “So says the Lord of hosts; Behold, I’ll send upon them the sword, the famine, and the pestilence, and will make them like vile figs, that cannot be eaten, they are so evil.“
Jeremiah 35:17 “Therefore thus say’s the LORD God of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will bring upon Judah and upon all the inhabitants of Jerusalem all the evil that I have pronounced against them: because I have spoken unto them, but they have not heard; and I have called unto them, but they have not answered.“
Jeremiah 36:3 “It may be that the house of Judah will hear all the evil which I purpose to do unto them; that they may return every man from his evil way; that I may forgive their iniquity and their sin.”
Ezekiel 5:16 “When I’ll send upon them the evil arrows of famine, which shall be for their destruction, and which I’ll send to destroy you: and I’ll increase the famine upon you, and will break your staff of bread:”
Ezekiel 5:17 “So will I send upon you famine and evil beasts, and they shall bereave you: and pestilence and blood shall pass through you; and I’ll bring the sword upon you. I the Lord have spoken it.“
Amos 3:6 Shall a trumpet be blown in the city, and the people not be afraid? shall there be evil in a city, and the Lord has not done it?
Acts 11:19-21 “Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only. 20 And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, which, when they were come to Antioch, spoke to the Grecians, preaching the Lord Jesus. 21 And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord.”
Romans 9:17-18 “For the scripture says to Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised you up, that I might show my power in you, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth. Therefore he has mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardens.”
2 Corinthians 12:7-10 “…there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet (torment) me, lest I should be exalted above measure.8 For this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times, that it might depart from me. 9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for you: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I’m weak, then I am strong.“
The following verse is an example of God stating His sovereignty in withholding the action of evil from His people, He’s the one who’s created all beings and He can keep them from fulfilling their evil desires if it suits His purpose to do so; He has authority to create one vessel to honour and another to dishonor, all are made to serve His holy purposes:
Isaiah 54:15-17 “Behold, they shall surely gather together, but not by me: whosoever shall gather together against you shall fall for your sake. Behold, I’ve created the smith that blows the coals in the fire, and that brings forth an instrument for his work; and I’ve created the waster to destroy. No weapon that is formed against you shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against you in judgment you shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, says the LORD.”
I must decrease.
There’s no corruption in the heavenly place that Christ has prepared for His Church; Until our time is ended on earth, the new man cries out to be free from this corruptible vessel, but we’re not overcome by evil, we’re able to overcome evil with good; God brings us to walk closer with Him for our good and His glory, by changing us through the adversities that require the armour of God.
2 Corinthians 4:17 “For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison,”
The presence of adversity and evil, are opportunities to exercise the character of Christ; which is the action of maturing the new man.
Romans 5:3 “…, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation works patience; 4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope: 5 And hope doesn’t make ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given to us.”
As the Saint becomes more like Christ;
Love triumphs over hate.
Forgiveness triumphs over revenge and bitterness,
Faith drives out all fear,
and the peace of God which passes all understanding,
will keep our hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Ref: Philippians 4:7
Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; 4 and perseverance, character; and character, hope.
Romans 5:1-4
APO21May2019,,7Sep2019, June2020
Picture Credit: Thanks Esther, you’re a gem! Thank you for sharing your great start to the day!
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Study like a Berean! 