Though humanity is gifted with free will, we are not omniscient. This limitation creates a fragile balance. We are moral agents with the ability to act, but we often do so without full knowledge of the consequences. This gap between intention and outcome is fertile ground for evil to grow. Some evil is the result of direct rebellion, but much of it emerges from ignorance, misjudgment, or unintended consequences.
Yahweh alone possesses omniscience. If humans knew all outcomes in advance, their choices would not reflect genuine trust or faith. The decision to follow Yahweh, even with limited knowledge, is a demonstration of allegiance, one that mirrors the loyalty He desires from His divine family as well.
THE DIVINE REBELLION: WHEN SPIRITUAL IMAGERS TURNED
The problem of evil is not limited to humanity. Scripture reveals that spiritual beings, members of Yahweh’s heavenly host, also rebelled. These divine imagers, given authority over the nations (Deuteronomy 32:8–9, Psalm 82), turned from their mandate and led humanity into darkness. Some, like the sons of God in Genesis 6, crossed boundaries and corrupted creation itself. Others accepted worship and manipulated entire cultures into idolatry, violence, and occult practices.
These rebellious elohim introduced a different kind of evil, ideological and systemic. They corrupted truth, promoted false gods, and weaponized spiritual influence. Humanity’s rebellion was inflamed by their lies. The result was a world fragmented, oppressed, and bound to powers that were never meant to rule.
To restrain the damage these beings caused, Yahweh gave Israel the Torah. The Law was not just a set of moral rules. It was a divine firewall. Its rituals, boundaries, and covenant structure created space for holiness and identity amid spiritual chaos. Among the most profound of these rituals was the Day of Atonement, where two goats were chosen: one sacrificed to cleanse the people, and the other sent into the wilderness, symbolically carrying the sins of the nation back to Azazel, a name associated with the wilderness-dwelling rebels.
This was not superstition. It was spiritual warfare through sacred practice. The Law showed that Yahweh was not passive in the face of evil. He acted decisively to reclaim His people and mitigate the influence of the divine traitors until the fullness of His plan could be revealed in the Messiah.
WHY YAHWEH ALLOWED THIS SYSTEM
The presence of evil in creation is not a sign that Yahweh lost control. Rather, it underscores how seriously He takes relationships. He is not interested in programmed obedience. He desires a family, both human and divine, who freely love Him. The alternative would be a world without evil but also without relationship, without love, without the ability to choose the good.
The biblical story is filled with the tension between human freedom and divine sovereignty. This tension is not a flaw. It is the setting in which loyalty, repentance, and transformation become meaningful. Yahweh has allowed evil for a time, knowing that through it, those who choose Him do so authentically.
EVIL, SOVEREIGNTY, AND THE HIGH STAKES OF AGENCY
Evil exists not because God is weak, but because He values freedom. His sovereignty is not undermined by our agency. It is demonstrated by His willingness to allow it and still accomplish His purposes. From Eden to the Cross to the final judgment, Scripture presents a God who allows rebellion, intervenes to redeem, and ultimately restores.
The reality of evil magnifies the seriousness of the decisions we make. We are not passive recipients of fate but active participants in a divine drama. Every moral decision reflects our allegiance. We were created to image Yahweh in how we steward creation, treat others, and respond to evil with courage, righteousness, and hope.
CONCLUSION: A COSMIC STRUGGLE, A DIVINE INVITATION
The existence of evil should not cause despair. Instead, it reminds us of the stakes involved in being made in Yahweh’s image. It reminds us that we live in a story where freedom is real, decisions matter, and redemption is possible.
Evil is not the final word. Yahweh is not surprised by rebellion, and His plan has always included its defeat. Through the Messiah, humanity is invited into a restored relationship, empowered to reflect the goodness of God even in the presence of darkness. The struggle against evil is the arena in which imagers of God are tested, shaped, and revealed.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
- Why is free will necessary for genuine love and relationships?
- How does the concept of humans as imagers of Yahweh affect how we understand moral responsibility?
- What are some examples where limited knowledge contributes to the existence of evil?
- What role did the rebellion of spiritual beings play in the expansion of evil on Earth?
- How did the Torah, and especially the scapegoat ritual, help Israel resist the influence of the rebellious elohim?
WANT TO KNOW MORE?
- The Unseen Realm: Recovering the Supernatural Worldview of the Bible – Michael S. Heiser
Explores the biblical concept of divine agency, the divine council, and human participation in a cosmic spiritual drama that includes free will and rebellion. A foundational work for understanding evil in the broader biblical context. - The Myth That Is True – Francis Schaeffer
This work helps readers grasp the significance of living in a world where truth, meaning, and choice matter. Schaeffer weaves together theology, philosophy, and human experience to address the problem of evil and meaning. - What God Wants – Michael S. Heiser
A concise explanation of God’s goal in creating humanity and the reason for free will. A powerful complement to The Unseen Realm focused specifically on Yahweh’s desire for a human family. - Evil and the Justice of God – N.T. Wright
Engages with the problem of evil from a New Testament theological perspective. Wright explores how the death and resurrection of Jesus answers the questions posed by human suffering and evil. - God at War: The Bible & Spiritual Conflict – Gregory A. Boyd
Unpacks the biblical worldview that sees creation as a battlefield between good and evil. This book challenges classical views of divine control and highlights the reality of spiritual warfare and the necessity of moral choice.
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