28/04/2026
*🔥 # AS A HOLY BOOK AND WORD OF GOD # #🔥*
*_By Rev Kofi Awuku!_* *_(Part 2)_*
*_¡v.) Origin Of Evil_*
_And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die._
(Genesis 2:16-17 kjv)
Let's pay particular attention to this scripture from Genesis 2:16-17, for it carries the clue for what the whole exercise is about, which is trying to find out how God is connected to the word evil. And then again we are going to see whether the word evil is all about moral flaw. Firstly, why did God put into the garden _"the tree of knowledge of good and evil"?_ That tree was very symbolic of things only known to God. It was among the things God created before Adam was formed. In the day of introducing Adam to the garden, that tree took a centre stage with great caution from God. Asses was given to everything in the garden except one tree. Was that a trap? Very interesting!
Again, did God intensionally set a trap for them or there was a deeper reason? A wise God will always set standards for people to know those who love and obey him. Undoubtedly, it was to test the faithfulness and obedience of the first humanity. Even, we humans do test the honesty or integrity of our servants, workers and everyone under us. They were morally clean until a certain decision from external persuasion corrupted them. And before they ate it, they didn't know a thing about sin or evil. The choice they made was what rather brought them under moral sin or evil, which was disobedience.
_See, I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil;_
_I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:_
(Deuteronomy 30:15,19 kjv)
In this second text from Deuteronomy, there was another caution, and this time it was from Moses. He maintained God's position and reiterated the same caution to the people of Israel, and what was that? Choosing life and good was to follow and obey God's laws or commands, and going against this was to choose death and evil. He was simply telling the community the consequences of being faithful and obedient to God, and much the same as consequences of being unfaithful and disobedient. Now, the choice was in their court.
Life is fixed into two categories, and of the sharpest contrasts, containing good and bad, right and evil, and both of which come with consequences. Life is structured into two streams or realms, but existing as one whole. Having life as a mixture of these, it is what gives it striking balance, and for which reason caution regulates the life. Moses presented Israel with these two streams or realms of life just as God had earlier done. Having it as such parents or society cautions people in order to stay safe. Even, in our world today, manufacturers add cautions to their products, for careful use so as to be on the safer side and also achieve lasting, beneficial results. Anything contrary brings unfortunate effects.
Now, for convenience sake, let's categorize life under two laws, which are natural law and divine or spiritual law. Every action comes with consequences and fall under any of the streams or realms. We all know that when natural, divine or spiritual laws are broken, there are consequences, which are known as justice or judgement. That's how the Creator designed, constructed and established life to be, and because of this, He structured it with caution, and that was exactly what was presented to humanity in the initial stages. We live in a life of caution.
Therefore, anybody crossing the boundary lines is aware or knows what's ahead. With natural law, people duly face its justices with no exemptions, but with divine or spiritual law, there is a window of intervention provided by God himself. The caveat here is that, seeking for forgiveness may alleviate the consequences. There are however nuances to that. There are cases where people living right attract negative effects, not as punishments, but as tests or temptations.
*_v.) Interpretation Of Controversial Texts_*
_I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things._
(Isaiah 45 7 kjv)
Before we dig into how, when and what brought that text into play, let's find out the actual meaning of the word EVIL in the text. Going forward let's ask, is evil only a moral flaw or has another dimension to it?The Hebrew word used is _ra,_ which, in this context is commonly translated as "calamity," "disaster," or "distress" rather than moral wickedness. It indicates natural disaster or divine judgment rather than sinful behaviour. The word is therefore a representation of calamity, disaster, distress, adversity, misfortune or judgement.
Having God as the all in all, He uses everything available to further His causes, to achieve His desires and establish His purposes. God may allow or bring calamity to fulfill His purpose and shoot people into their rightful places. After God had given Joseph a great dream about his future, it was evil - calamity that sent him to Egypt, the land of the fulfillment of his destiny. It was rejection, persecution and hatred that shut Jephthah and David into greatness or prominence. Besides that, God may bring calamity to discipline and correct His people or punish them when they have turned away from His standards or ways, and this was exactly what made Israel go into exiles or bondages.
The term can be used in the sense of moral evil, such as sin and wickedness, but God does not create moral evil. God did not create anybody to be sinful, evil or wicked in character so he could punish them. No! Adam was not sinful by nature, until Satan persuaded him to do something contrary. In this case it was a matter of choice, not by construct. The 23rd verse of 1 Kings 22, even throws light on the word evil in the context, as punishment or judgement against King Ahab. _Now therefore, behold, the Lord hath put a lying spirit in the mouth of all these thy prophets, and the Lord hath spoken evil concerning thee._ The Lord _"hath spoken evil concerning thee",_ was the word.
God, wanting people to be upright, He gave Adam instructions to follow or obey. Again, He gave the Israelite community sets of laws to live by, much as He expected all people to live morally upright lives. Moral evil is therefore a choice people make. For one thing, moral evil is an intent contrary to God’s good purposes, His will, His holy character, and His law. Lucifer was not evil by nature, until the day he had a decision if wanting to be like God and sitting above His throne. Moral evil is simply a choice matter.
God is good, holy and loving, therefore His plans and purposes are good, holy, and loving. As Ruler of the universe, God sometimes creates calamity to accomplish His will. He brought disaster to discipline His people when they turned their backs on Him and refused to repent. When Israel became rebellious, God used King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon to humble and discipline them by taking them captives through war.
In the haughtiness of Babylon, God promised to bring calamity on Babylon through King Cyrus for the sake of His chosen people, to restore them to their homeland and rebuild their ruined cities. (Isaiah 41:8–10; 44:26; 45:4; 2 Chronicles 36:22–23; Ezra 1:3). As the Sovereign King over all earthly kings, God can make both light or darkness, peace or calamity, positive or negative events to get whatever He desired. God used Cyrus an unbelieving King as His agent of redemption and peace for Israel, and as the bringer of calamity upon Babylon.
_For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist._
(Colossians 1:16 nkjv)
The concept is distinguishing God from all other gods or deities and signifying, not necessarily stating that God is the author of moral sin, evil or wickedness, but rather that He controls circumstances from both ends. Having Him as the Creator, the text emphasizes the fact that God is the only one true God that has absolute sovereignty or control over the universe and all its issues. Further, it's simply establishing the duality of God, and in that sense His absoluteness over all creation, and therefore can use everything under the space to further His purposes. Lastly, God is being asserted as that only entity who holds authority over all aspects of creation, life and reality.
*_v¡) Comparative Analysis Of Encounters_*
*_Satan Attacks Job’s Character_*
_6 Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came among them. 7 And the Lord said to Satan, “From where do you come?” So Satan answered the Lord and said, “From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking back and forth on it.” 8 Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil?”_
_9 So Satan answered the Lord and said, “Does Job fear God for nothing? 10 Have You not made a hedge around him, around his household, and around all that he has on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. 11 But now, stretch out Your hand and touch all that he has, and he will surely curse You to Your face!” 12 And the Lord said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your power; only do not lay a hand on his person.” So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord._
(Job 1:6-12 nkjv)
Let's pay critical attention to what's about to be revealed here. Bible said, on one fateful day the sons or children of God gathered before the Lord; holy, sanctified sons or children, of which Satan was not one. In this meeting, Satan appeared, and when asked where he had come from, his answer was, _“from going to and fro on the earth."_ Had he lost something and for that reason was searching for it? Was that an aimless expedition or he was actually trying to find something around to steal, kill or destroy? What was he loitering around for?; possibly looking for some job to do.
Satan's presence there kick-started a discussion around Job and a decision was taken then. Satan found a job for himself, with God's approval on condition. We could therefore say that God directly or indirectly gave him a job to do and it was against a righteous man. Was it to discipline, correct or punish or tempt Job?; and the answer is no, because he was righteous. What could could be God's motive for this?; possibly to test his loyalty, faithfulness, authenticity, integrity, resilience etc. Great!
_19 Then Micaiah said, “Therefore hear the word of the Lord: I saw the Lord sitting on His throne, and all the host of heaven standing by, on His right hand and on His left. 20 And the Lord said, ‘Who will persuade Ahab to go up, that he may fall at Ramoth Gilead?’ So one spoke in this manner, and another spoke in that manner._
_21 Then a spirit came forward and stood before the Lord, and said, ‘I will persuade him.’ 22 The Lord said to him, ‘In what way?’ So he said, ‘I will go out and be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets.’ And the Lord said, ‘You shall persuade him, and also prevail. Go out and do so.’ 23 Therefore look! The Lord has put a lying spirit in the mouth of all these prophets of yours, and the Lord has declared disaster against you.”_
(1 Kings 22:19-23 nkjv)
Over time, there was another meeting, as the host of heaven gathered, and this time the purpose of the meeting was about King Ahab. The gathering was to solicit ideas for the destruction of an evil, wicked, rebellious, villainous leader. First, let's ask, was Satan part of this meeting too? Possibly! Were his spirits also part of it? Possibly! Now, several spirits came presented their strategy, but all were not convincing to God. Then another spirit came forward proposing that he will be a lying spirit in the mouths of Ahab's prophets, and this sounded solid to God, and was therefore given approval without any conditions attached. If this spirit was counting on LIES as the means of getting the job done, then who was this spirit and belonged to which camp?
This scripture from John 8:44 gives a big lead and clue about this whole matter. _You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies._ Jesus said it's in Satan's nature to lie or deceive, and the best language he knows to speak is lies. Again, he is a liar and the father of lies. There is a difference between telling lies and being a liar. The consistency of lies being told makes the teller a liar. Great!
By inference from Jesus' statement, no one in existence compares to Satan in terms of lying. In Revelation 12:9, Satan is captured as one who deceives the nations. Let's therefore call him the expert and best pathological liar to ever exist in creation. Let's understand that Satan has one mission on earth, to steal, kill and destroy, and he does so through lying or deceiving (lies and deceit). Now, we are told from the text that Satan and his children (followers) are all architects of lying and deceiving (lies and deceit).
Finally, let's ask was Satan part of that meeting or not? Where from the spirit that presented itself as a lying spirit? The biggest shock to receive now, is that the best expert liar who knew everything about that trade or profession presented himself for the job. No one in that realm or on earth could beat him to it. If Satan is the father of all lies, then his followers fall under a lesser capacity. Those spirits that showed up earlier could not convince God until the master statistician, the maestro, the legend, the schemer, the marksman appeared. This is a clear attestation that it was Satan that offered and volunteered for that job. Satan's bunch of lying spirits were available and could not beat their master to his game.
In the first meeting, the assignment was against a righteous man Job, and Satan willingly volunteered himself or offered to do it. What makes this one different that Satan would not show up volunteering for it, since it's against someone already in his grip? And at that material moment death was hanging over Ahab. Satan was the very reason Ahab rejected God and refused to repent. Satan has only one mission, and that's to steal, kill and destroy. He had already stolen him away from God and what remained then was killing and destroying him. Now, let's understand that, though God and Satan are adversaries, they are not bitter enemies at each other's throat like we think. There is rapport between them, and for which reason Satan visits God's realm.
One reason God would allow him there can be deduced from this scripture in Colossians 1:16, _For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist._ This means that God remains supreme over all creation and everything therefore was under his control as either agency or resources to fulfill his purpose and will.
This whole episode was a vision being recounted by prophet Micaiah to King Ahab himself in the presence of his entourage about God's plan to eliminate him. If he wasn't arrogant, the best thing was to do the needful by seeking forgiveness, but his ego and sycophant prophets wouldn't allow him. King Ahab started well as a righteous leader but along the line, through the diabolic influence of Jezebel his wife, he became a wicked King, who wouldn't listen to good counsel. Upon several warnings, he refused to repent, and became so overbearing that God had no option than to eliminate him. His cup was full then, beyond any mercy.
Having this inimical, hateful stand against God, he strangely loved to hear from Him concerning major decisions, and because of this, he surrounded himself with 400 prophets, who would tell him what he wanted to hear. He needed God's voice so he could preserve himself, maintain his pride, sustain his shine, fame, influence and power.
In conclusion, let's ask ourselves, how can God be a holy God and a book representing him be unholy? How can a book representing a holy God be unholy? People are their words and their words are a representation of them.
*_God bless everyone_*
