Understanding Isaiah 45:7: Divine Sovereignty and the Problem of Evil

Isaiah 45:7

7 I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things.

The statement in Isaiah 45:7 that God forms light and creates darkness, and makes peace and creates evil, is a profound declaration of His absolute sovereignty and supreme authority over all thingsLLM 462.2+2.

The Historical and Hermeneutical Context

The Lord specifically addressed these words to Cyrus the Persian to reveal Himself as the only true God, distinct from and above the deities Cyrus worshippedPTUK August 28, 1902, page 548.5+1. The Persians followed a belief system involving a struggle between good and evil, represented by light and darkness, and they worshipped elements of nature such as fire, earth, water, and airSDP 77.2. By declaring, "I form the light, and create darkness; I make peace, and create evil," God places Himself above the gods of the Persians and explains that He is the one who called Cyrus to his strange workSDP 77.2+1.

Proper Hermeneutical Principles

To understand this verse correctly, one must adhere to sound principles of Biblical interpretation:

• The Literal Sense: The literal meaning of the words is the only true sense, and grammatical principles should be the guide for interpretationSBBS 84.1.

• Scripture Interprets Scripture: Truth is established by comparing the relation of Scripture to Scripture, a process often aided by the Holy Spirit during diligent study3SM 38.2.

• Clear Passages Light Up Obscure Ones: It is a fundamental rule to use what is plain in the Bible to throw light upon what is obscureHST December 1, 1840, page 131.1.

• Rejecting Allegory Over Truth: Origen and others often wandered into "devious wilds of fancy" by seeking a mysterious hidden sense at the expense of the literal force of the text, often to support external philosophical opinions like the immortality of the soulSITI January 6, 1887, page 7.7+1.

• No Broken Scripture: The first rule of hermeneutics is the simple maxim that the Scripture cannot be brokenTDOC 9.2.

The Meaning of "Creating Evil"

In the framework of God’s government, the "evil" mentioned is not a suggestion that God is the author of moral sin, but rather a reference to the judgments and consequences of rebellionST February 12, 1880, par. 2+1.

• Judgments for Disobedience: Those who choose to remain disloyal to the King of kings are visited with judgments in mercy to arouse them to the sinfulness of their courseEv 28.4.

• Vindication of Authority: God arises to vindicate His insulted authority, and the "evil" or calamities that befall the wicked are in proportion to the light and warnings they have despisedST February 12, 1880, par. 2+1.

• The Law of Love: God's government is founded on the law of love and voluntary service; He takes no pleasure in forced obediencePP 34.3.

• Contrasting Righteousness: God’s righteousness stands out in bold relief when contrasted with man’s unrighteousness, and He must judge the world to maintain that righteousnessPTUK August 16, 1894, page 516.3.

Arguments and Applications

• Supreme Rulership: This verse confirms that God’s supreme rulership and the sacredness of His law must be revealed to all, especially those who refuse to obey HimEv 28.4.

• The Foundation of the Throne: Justice and judgment are the foundation of God’s throne, and the Ten Commandments are a transcript of His character and the rule of His government Psalms 28:2SITI March 9, 1888, page 151.26.

• Warning Against False Science: True science must include God and the Bible; any system that leaves out faith or contradicts the Word is falseMMM 194.2+1.

• The Great Conflict: While Satan, the "prince of this world," works with deceptive power to overthrow God’s law, he cannot defile the soul of those who remain loyal to the Prince of Life Ephesians 2:24BC 1153.2+1.

• The Ultimate End: Soon, the kingdoms of this world will become the kingdoms of our Lord and His Christ, and the great God will take back His power and reign for ever Revelation 11:15-17ATNM 83.1.