God Creating Good and Evil: Embracing More Accountability

Theme: “More Accountability”

By Michael Mitchell

Isaiah 45:7 states, “I form the light and create darkness; I make peace and create calamity; I, the Lord, do all these things.” This scripture challenges the conventional understanding of good and evil, presenting a perspective where both light and darkness, peace and adversity, emanate from the Creator. This teaching, seen through the lens of Ethiopian Orthodox, Masonic, Eastern Star, and Aramaic principles, calls for a shift from a simplistic battle between good and evil to a life rooted in self-accountability and alignment with divine purpose. By examining this concept through ancient scriptures, traditions, and historical context, we can deepen our understanding of our relationship with God, faith, and moral responsibility.

1. The Role of the Accuser in the Kingdom

In the Hebrew scriptures, the term often rendered as “Satan” or “Devil” translates to ha-satan, meaning “The Accuser.” Rather than embodying inherent evil, The Accuser serves a unique role within God’s kingdom, challenging humanity’s motives, as seen with Job, to purify faith and bring a deeper sense of accountability. In Ethiopian Orthodox thought, ha-satan is understood not as an independent force of evil but as a divinely permitted entity, symbolizing the trials that clarify our faith and align us with divine principles.

In Job’s narrative, God does not shield him from suffering but allows The Accuser to test Job’s faith. This story provides insight into the purpose behind adversities: they refine the motives of the faithful. Similarly, in the Talmud and Quran, ha-satan is seen as part of God’s creation, intended to prompt growth rather than destruction. When viewed through these interpretative lenses, the purpose of evil in scripture becomes a means to foster accountability and personal growth.

2. Lucifer and the Misinterpretation of the Canaanite Deity

A deeper examination reveals that the figure of Lucifer, often conflated with the Devil, has a more complex origin. Lucifer, which means “light-bearer” in Latin, symbolizes enlightenment and the pursuit of knowledge, traditionally seen as attributes God bestows. The conflation of Lucifer with an evil deity originates in medieval and early Christian writings that confused Lucifer with earlier Canaanite gods. Isaiah’s reference, often misinterpreted as condemning Lucifer, actually critiques the downfall of a Babylonian king, not a personified embodiment of evil.

Historically, the Canaanite pantheon contained deities who governed aspects of nature and life, such as Baal, symbolizing fertility and storm. God’s establishment of seventy nations in Deuteronomy 32:8-9, each assigned a specific god, illustrates divine order rather than opposition. Israel alone was reserved for Yahweh. This structure refines our understanding, demonstrating that God alone maintains sovereignty while other divine beings serve within their roles, embodying both good and evil within the scope of God’s creation.

This perspective challenges believers to consider Lucifer’s original meaning as a bringer of revelation and question the cultural teachings that equate knowledge with evil. The crucifixion of Christ, alongside Stephen and other early martyrs, underscores this misconception: the struggle against wisdom can lead to self-imposed suffering, ultimately distancing people from divine grace.

3. Good and Evil from One Source: Accountability Over Conflict

Understanding that both good and evil come from God removes the simplistic notion of a cosmic conflict. Rather than fighting an external evil, our journey becomes an internal one, examining how our choices align with God’s will. God’s love and grace remain available to all, even in adversity, providing us with the strength to face trials with integrity. This accountability is a call to live authentically, embracing both joy and hardship as parts of the divine design.

Recognizing God as the source of both good and adversity also redefines our relationship with faith. The blood of Christ and the concept of propitiation, rather than a means to escape wrath, signify an invitation to be eternally connected with divine grace. Thus, living a life aligned with God’s will means moving beyond avoiding punishment to fostering a genuine relationship of faith and love, grounded in personal responsibility and growth.

4. The Sin Nature and Understanding Iniquity

Our iniquities—those moments where we miss God’s goals for our lives—do not exist solely to condemn but serve as reminders of our need for God’s guidance. The story of Job highlights how God sometimes allows ha-satan to test us, not to punish but to clarify the foundation of our faith. This context, enriched by Ethiopian Orthodox and Masonic traditions, shifts our understanding from a fear-based faith to one of humble accountability.

In these traditions, the metaphor of Satan represents the ego, tempting us to stray from our divine purpose. Yet, this testing can be a tool, a means to refine our commitment to God’s will. Embracing this understanding allows modern believers to see adversity as an opportunity to realign themselves with God’s principles and move toward divine enlightenment.

Conclusion: Embracing Divine Accountability

Through these teachings, we recognize that God’s ways truly are higher than ours. Scripture’s lessons on good and evil invite us to take responsibility for our choices and strive for a life attuned to God’s grace. By embracing the fullness of God’s will—including trials—we are reminded that, through Christ, we are accepted, redeemed, and continuously invited to grow closer to the Creator.

Closing Prayer

O Lord, we come before You, grateful for the wisdom You reveal to us. Teach us to embrace the fullness of Your creation, both light and darkness, good and challenge. Help us to see adversity not as a punishment but as a tool to refine our faith and bring us closer to You. Grant us the strength to live with accountability, aligning ourselves with Your will. Thank You for the assurance that through Christ, we are forever connected to Your grace and love. Guide us to live with humility, always seeking Your face. In Jesus’ name, Amen.