Isaiah 45:7 States God Created Evil
Did God create evil as some claim Isaiah 45:7 states that He did? The argument for this has been used by some as a means of tearing down the Bible and God. If this is true then did God create sin? You can begin to see how this thinking begins to attack the Bible and our faith.
As with many arguments which arise from Scripture especially when used to attack Christians much can be learned from context. It is really easy to grab one verse out of a passage and wave it like a red flag for some undermining cause. Really it smacks of a childish nature with about the same level of logic.
An example of this can be seen by this atheist writer as he tells Christians to pack it and go home. He claims that our God is not the loving God that we say He is.
The truth is that those who wish to use this argument against the faith simply refuse to look at context. Fortunately this will not require much time. This portion of Isaiah comes from interconnected prophecies which can also be found related to the time of Daniel.
At the opening of Isaiah 45 is where we find Cyrus named who would become the king of Persia which Daniel would later serve under after Nebuchadnezzar. This prophecy found in Isaiah is naming the king which would release the nation of Israel after their future 70 years of captivity.
The following verses including the infamous verse 7 is directly related to this event and God’s dealing with Israel individually. One can further break this down if they so wish with the Hebrew used in this context. Its relationship in context is translated as disaster or calamity as well as woe.
While the word can refer to moral evil the context must support this definition. The same happens in English as the word boxing can refer to a sport or trim pieces on a house. Within Isaiah 45:7 the context rather is speaking to how God has punished Israel but can also restore them, which is exactly what would happen in Daniels lifetime.
The following verse 8 proves this point to the context. What is more compelling to proving this is history itself. This passage is iconic to Jewish history. They have minted coins with Cyrus on them to display this history. How it has been misinterpreted in the ways it has is more often out of spite or hate than searching for truth.
Drop down, ye heavens, from above, and let the skies pour down righteousness: let the earth open, and let them bring forth salvation, and let righteousness spring up together; I the Lord have created it.
Isaiah 45:8
There is no doubt that this Scripture is given for a very specific purpose of context. Only someone ignorant in basic understanding or reading skills would deny this. The fact that this intersects with two different prophecies (Jeremiah and Daniel), and in the time of its writing by Isaiah is a prophecy in of itself, is irrefutable to its purpose.
Did God Create Sin?
Still for many the question remains despite the clarity of context. For some the question is more innocent as a philosophical question rather than a point of contest of God’s Holiness. So we will dig deeper into did God create sin and better yet find an answer to another question. Where did sin come from?
To answer this we must look back at the creation story. Within the opening chapters of Genesis we find God creating all things. In reading we find how Adam and Eve were created and God declared all things good. No presence of evil or sin is detected. At least not as of yet. Simply put God did not create sin, unfortunately now that answer must be defended.
From this point forward I would ask a reader to pay attention to my links within the body of the text. They will become important for further expanded explanation found in other writing. Genesis 3 becomes critically deep and one article cannot encompass it. It is profound in not only to the answer given but also further accusation which is made to that answer and also prophecy.
The Genesis 3 Accusation
Despite a clear definition of what was created in Genesis chapter 1 we find ourselves defending truth. The same people who make this accusation can at times be found claiming there were two different creations. Rather Genesis 2 is a self expository writing of Genesis 1.
In other words Genesis 1 outlines the time and what was created. Genesis 2 gives explanation to events which took place within that day of creation. There were not two different creations. Needless to say there are people who have difficulty in reading literature and understanding simple context. Thus we find more accusations to God creating evil based on Genesis 3:22.
And the Lord God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever:
Genesis 3:22
Some of these same would also make claims that with mans ability to know good and evil in conjunction with verse 5 that they become gods. If you would prefer to believe the lie of the serpent spoken through by Lucifer you have that right of choice. Yet this is not what took place.
Where Did Sin And Evil Come From?
In the closing of Genesis 1:31 we find God confirming that His creation was very good. Genesis 2 opens detailing the events of the 7th day and its purpose sanctifying it as a day of rest. In the rest of this chapter we find expanded commentary on the mechanics of the Earth in that time and the creation story.
It is at verse 25 we find a piece of information that is interesting. The Bible states that Adam and Eve were both naked and were not ashamed. This lack of shame is due to innocence, the lack of evil within them and no sin.
We turn to chapter 3 to find the serpent in the garden which becomes the vehicle for Satan to deliver temptation and lies. At Genesis 3:5 we find this reference to gods in the chapter.
For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.
Genesis 3:5
First let’s understand this coming from Satan is a lie. Secondly one must understand that mankind is a creation and no creation can ever be equal to its creator. Just because God can know the difference between good and evil and not be impacted by its knowledge does not mean that man can do the same.
Furthermore it is God which defines what is good, Holy, just, and truth. Evil and sin both come into the world due to disobedience, turning away from what is good, Holy, and true. Therefore innocence is lost due to an encounter or experience with evil in turning away.
Evil is not a tangible object but rather as a result of removing oneself from a relationship with God.
What was pure and innocent became tainted and broken. If one needs more proof than looking around at the world today at the crime, murder, war, and death to see mankind is broken then I cannot help you. What took place that day was a step down, not a step up closer to being god like.
So why is there a statement in verse 22 that “ the man is become as one of us”? This is very simple and the foundation to why Satan hates us so much. We were created in God’s image for a purpose unlike any other creation. No other was made as we are. An angel who desires to replace God and hates Him would also hate anything in God’s image.
Furthermore I believe there was a great deal of jealousy involved in the heart of Satan that day. In reading other Scriptures to who Lucifer is, what he did, his boasts and claims, seeing Adam come from the dust of the ground was like a slap in his face.
An Older Source For Sin?
The above explanation does not fully answer the question presented in the beginning. Rather it shows that Eve first encountered evil and sin rather than being the source of it. Before the creation of this world were the angels and other hosts of heaven.
To know where sin and evil came from is easy. We turn to its source in John 8:44:
Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
John 8:44
The origin to the fall of Lucifer can be noted by the words of Isaiah. A description is given in that he was the source of this evil which also would result in other angels and heavenly hosts falling with him.
How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!
13 For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:
14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.
Isaiah 14:12-14
From here you can see that every idea, concept, desire for mankind in history until now to be god is rooted in Lucifers delusional mind. It explains the lie which was given to Eve and he has been harping on that one string guitar ever since. From the Pharaohs of Egypt to the halls of science mankind is constantly looking to another source for god and life.
Where Did Lucifer Obtain The Ability To Sin?
He was given some ability of free will. Free will is not creating evil or sin as can be claimed. This claim removes responsibility of the one who possesses free will. Again childish logic would rather blame than see how this provides opportunity for relationship and reciprocal love but requires personal responsibility.
We do know that it was Satan that caused others to fall with him. He was the most powerful angel ever created with the exception of perhaps Michael that could match him.
He was a musician and it would seem he was built to praise and worship God through those abilities. How he came to be able to make a choice of free will to become the father of evil and lies is unknown. Yet it was his choice and here we find the point of origin for lies, pride, jealousy, and all sin.
We know that God is Holy and true. To be separate from God is to remove oneself from what is good or as in Genesis what is very good. It would stand to reason that if one causes oneself to separate from God then it is impossible to have what is good or holy.
As God is the author of what is good it is clear that evil or sin is found through our choice to be separate from Him. It becomes a matter of choosing a relationship with Christ.
God wishes to have a voluntary relationship in free will. This allows for reciprocal love to be returned to Christ for what He has done for us.
Recognizing Lies And Truth
In order to know and see the truth all one must do is trace the source. If one wishes to verify that source then look at the facts of prophecy and history to prove them. Never has God failed us but rather we failed Him. In turn He still provided a way through Christ for us to have a relationship with Him.
By comparison all Satan has ever offered is an empty promise which is a mere lie. Following the alternative paths leads to problems at every turn. Families break apart due to lies and deception. Lives are ruined due to what we think we need in addiction. Our minds become broken when we reside in these alternate paths.
Never has serving self led to anywhere good. Even if one has had success in life through business or money when done outside of God it leaves a path of carnage along the way. What was sacrificed for that success?
It is amazing for me to see people believe that they control so much in this world especially when it pertains to their life and fate. We have a hard time controlling our own body weight much less our eternal security. If we are not careful we find ourselves placing faith in the wrong systems buying into the same delusion and lies as Eve and Adam.