Unacceptable Terms
The One forming light and creating darkness, causing well-being and creating calamity; I am the Lord who does all these. Isaiah 45:7 NASB
Calamity – By now you are aware that this verse has been radically changed in order to be consistent with Greek philosophical Christian doctrine. The original verse does not use the word “calamity.” It uses the word ‘ra, that is, evil. In this pronouncement, YHVH says that He, and no other, is the author of both good (shalom) and evil. This apparent contraction to the idea of a pure, holy, perfect and righteous God caused the translators to modify the word so that it looks as if God is only speaking about natural disasters. But clearly that is not the case. The contradiction stands, but it might only be a contradiction because of the paradigm we use to read the verse. Perhaps something else is really happening here, and we are unable to accept it because we stand in Athens, not Jerusalem. Heschel has some helpful remarks:
Genuine solitude is the prelude to a new community. However, if you do not withdraw but remain part of “the world,” your supreme effort must be not to deceive yourself. Clearly one of man’s strongest inclinations is to deceive himself.”[1]
What distinguished the righteous from the wicked? The wicked are trapped by material things that bring them pleasure; the righteous are enchanted by the mystery of the Divine inherent in things. Their wonder sustains their lives.[2]
. . . the Baal Shem and his followers held that all delights come from Eden. “A longing for things material is an instrument by which one may approach the love of God; even through course desires one may come to love the Creator.” Lust, desire, evil inclination, all should be elevated, not uprooted.[3]
The Baal Shem taught that God was everywhere, only when one sinned was He suppressed or blocked. An intimation of this lay in the Hebrew word het, which means “sin.” The letter alef in the Hebrew spelling of the word het, signifies God, Lord (aluf) of the Universe. He thus was present in the Hebrew word for sin but remained mute, not articulated.[4]
What if evil is the means by which we come to understand good? What if evil is not simply deprivation, but rather the foundation of what must be elevated? What if evil is not something to be feared or erased but rather to be transformed? What if God is truly God, and evil is still a part of His ultimate plan, the jumping-off point of restoration?
Topical Index: evil, ra’, Isaiah 45:7
[1] Abraham Heschel, A Passion for Truth, p. 23.
[2] Ibid., p. 25.
[3] Ibid.
[4] Ibid., p. 33.
And chaos just appears to be chaos! From our perspective, the universe is running down, too; this is to be expected, because from our perspective, sin sure looks good! Our eyesight is messed up, and we need to buy some eyesalve..
Paul says that ALL THINGS are lawful to him, but not all are expedient, or, good choices. Evil is a perversion of the good. The Second Law of Thermodynamics is a given to sinners, but probably not to the sinless rest of the universe; function determining form. This stuff keeps me up at night!
We are hardwired for love, so says mainstream science. Therefore, when we mess up, we do so because we are deceived into thinking it is love. Evil, for us, is the result of a lie. Experience shows us, by means of the curses, where the lies are.
What has really been getting me lately is that YHVH says that He does not blame us. The only things we will be charged for in the judgment are the judgments that we use to judge others. We are the generators of our own blame! This is huge. When I allow others around me to have good intentions of wanting to love (be connected) and be loved, but be missing the mark of love because of deception, I am going to not only treat them a whole lot different, but I am going to also have to be treating myself the same way FIRST, When I mess up, I should not even hesitate on the ground of shame, guilt or fear, but recognize that I am on the wrong ground and get the heaven out of there!
We get all kinds of metabolic stress-related problems when we hang out in places, whether mental (Choice Central), spiritual (the connection zone) or physical (environment, lifestyle choices, etc.) that are screaming at us through those negative emotions and diseases to STOP. Pain is good, y’all. It is our biggest lifesaver. Painful emotions do the same thing for us – at least when we listen to them instead of medicate, adjust to, avoid (and other ways to give them power over us), or attempt to befriend them. The curses ARE the single biggest expression of mercy to the lost world we could have, for the pain of them teaches us through experience what we obviously did not know before. The curses are miraculous in that they create a way for us to have another chance, from a place in which we can see our choices more clearly, to choose love a better way next time, instead of just instantly wiping ourselves out every time we go bouncing off after another fake bunny.
I think the potential for evil will always exist, for it allows the substrate of love, which is that free choice. But I also believe that “affliction will not rise up again”. This is our lesson time, and we will always remember just how stupid sin really is.
Yes Laurita, sin is “stupid.” Sin, (as we have learned sometime ago) is a form of insanity! Pick a sin (any sin!) – follow it to its conclusion, and what do you have? Yep. — not a pretty picture! (Wanna see some scars?)
So, (may we?).. – What is the wisest thing any man (generically speaking – any human) can do? It is (without a doubt) to obey (yes, to shema!) the word of God. The mother of Truth Incarnate was right! – “Whatever He says, — DO IT!!” Bumper sticker of the day: “TRUST and OBEY.” While the wages of sin is death (separation), the wages of obedience is?
BLESSING!!
Be blessed, my friends! – Shema, O Israel!!
“A longing for things material is an instrument by which one may approach the love of God; even through COURSE desires one may come to love the Creator. Lust, desire, evil inclination, all should be elevated, not uprooted.”[3]
Help me understand, please. Did Heschel actually use the word “course” (meaning Way, Walk or a section of a dinner) in the quote [3] from page 23 of his book? This word use rather than “coarse” (meaning rough in texture and/or crude or vulgar, common) presents an even more fascinating concept.
THE ONLY WAY!
God’s wisdom KNEW that the only way for fallen man to truly
understand God’s plan for restoration was to allow man to fully fall
into the mix.
Man had to BE in it. To muddle in it. To wander in it. To stagnate in it.
Be flummoxed about it. Ruminate about it. Reach out about it.
And DO something about it!
That way, man discovers that God already has a plan in place.
A Person! A restorer!
FATHER KNOWS BEST!
What if evil (ra) is that part of YHVH that only He is to own? Like the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil? Mankind had access to everything but that which He proclaimed off limits, the fruit of that particular tree. Fruit does not feed the tree, it feeds something else, BUT the seed – that which reproduces the tree – is in the fruit. Chew on that for a while. Free will chooses disobedience/sin and evil ensues – either through consequences or reproduction. Did YHVH create evil as we know it or is it simply the result of not understanding a righteous and just God, who must allow for the consequences of choosing against Him – sin/evil.
This theory works just fine until Abba brings a test to a righteous man in order to glorify Himself through that tzadek’s perseverance.
Just wondering if Heschel in quote [3] meant to use “COARSE” meaning rough in texture, common or vulgar or “COURSE” meaning way, walk, direction or a successive part of a dinner or meal. Interesting how both words “work” but result in a concept change. Any thoughts?
could someone give a definition of “evil” and also “good” that would help us untangle this passage?
(Link has been removed) Sorry Craig, please don’t put hyperlinks in a comment. You’ll have to figure out a different way to tell people where you’re recommending they go. i.e. description, title, etc.
Thank you, Mark
Someone told me years ago that evil is whatever is born of humankind including thoughts plans and aspirations. While good is by just being and living in the moment that spontaneous reaction for only after the action will we know the result…
Here’s a consideration. First, it should be noted that the contrast described (if it’s a contrast) exists between peace (shalom) and evil (ra) not, good (tov) and evil. God also contrasts light and darkness here, and I can only assume it’s in reference to what we see as “opposites”. (again, only an assumption) So, if peace, (shalom) is to be happy, content or has to do with wealth, (not necessarily monetary) and the word shilom (shalom without the vav) means to have requital or retribution, (to be compensated for a loss) or to be whole “again”.(emphasis on again), shalom means to be fully. R-A (rosh=ayin) is the word that’s translated as evil, but the same consonant spelling ((R-Y) is also an “associate” or a “thought” and just for fun, “thunder”. ( 🙂 ) As you can see, ra is associated to some thing that is “added” outside of me (or my comfort zone) that I don’t necessarily understand and it’s foreign to me. But, ra does have a place in contrast to “good”, in that “tov” is about an “order” (not that it feels good or looks good, as in pleasing) but an order that brings peace and prosperity. Ra is (in essence) another order, not inherently “evil” (as we understand it) but one that brings chaos and disorder to what was previously “good”. (not out of order, just another order) I would suppose, that’s why God says (in Genesis 1) not, “and He saw that it was good”, but rather that, “He saw it BECAUSE (ki) it was good. Hope that helps some. (or at least opens up some considerations for all of us)
YHWH bless you and keep you………….
Robert: thanks for this. pretty deep stuff!! So the connection with the tree in the garden is not direct. Good and evil is not peace and evil. Yet I see the contrast you are pointing out. In my speculations I have considered that a hurricane or earthquake may be a calamity but is not really “evil”. It seems to me that evil requires the involvement of one or more personalities and some act of free will. An abuse of power, position or privilege is often involved. Witness the Nazi “final solution” against various defined enemies, or even the current movie producers/directors scandals. Self gratification is flaunted in place of servanthood. I understand how God can be author of calamity and even judgments but find it difficult to get my head around the “evil” definition I just offered…abuse of power in the face of self interest. A major impact of messiah Yeshua will be to clean up the abuse of power and authority in the kingdom. I don’t think there will be any evil there (and hopefully no calamity either) Lots to consider…
Yes Sir, its called equity. Scary stuff.?
In the beginning GOD CREATED the heavens and the earth and they were tohu va vohu empty and chaoic. We just read in the last two portions on Shabbat how God personally created tohu va vohu and then set them in order in seven days. Then HE just as personally destroyed the earth by bursting open the heavens completely undoing that order for both parts of creation. When Noah stepped off the boat it was very literally a NEW HEAVEN AND A NEW EARTH!!! The only thing remaining of the old order was Noah and his family, the animals on the arch, and the sea creatures. Recreation always begins with destruction of the offenders of God. And HE is not afraid to claim that glory for Himself . Neither am I.
A peculiar depiction to say the least. How can something be empty and at the same time chaotic…
Sorry Pam not addressed to you intentionally. I do not expect an answer I just made a general statement.
No offense taken Seeker.
Perhaps empty (void) of purpose?
Robert I have also been told that empty the revered to will of God. Which may the describe that attribute of YHVH which directs and ands value so yes with purpose I can live then chaotic would be the Hebraic way of relating to situations were nothing specific is intended generally results in more confusion or uncertainty. Sounds like being decisive does not matter about the concern just tackle it by the horns and do something…
At least the King James Version (KJV) retains the original meaning:
Isaiah 45:7 King James Version (KJV)
I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the Lord do all these things.
We have a saying at our house. “If things were awesome all the time, God would be a cruel God.” Meaning that without the struggles (or evil) in life, we would fail to recognize the awesome. Perhaps an oversimplification of the ideology discussed above, but nonetheless true. Without evil how would we be able to distinguish the good? And if everything thing was good all the time, how would we learn and grow? God provides all that we need to live, including the intangible. Strange to say, but it gives me a feeling of security knowing that even evil is Gods to command. And we have walked thru our share of hell…..