“Forming light and creating darkness, making peace and creating evil. I, YaHuWaH, do all these.” – Yeshayahu (Isaiah) 45:7
This verse is one of the clearest declarations that YaHuWaH alone is sovereign over all things, both what is perceived as good and what is perceived as bad. Many have been taught a dualistic worldview, where there is an independent, external “Satan” working against YaHuWaH. However, Scripture does not support this idea. Instead, it teaches that YaHuWaH is the One who controls all things, including what humans might call “evil.”
YaHuWaH’s Absolute Sovereignty
YaHuWaH declares in multiple places that nothing happens outside of His control:
Amos 3:6 – “If a ram’s horn is blown in a city, do the people not tremble? If there is evil in a city, has not YaHuWaH done it?”
Lamentations 3:37-38 – “Who is he who speaks and it comes to pass, when YaHuWaH has not commanded it? Is it not from the mouth of the Most High that both calamities and good proceed?”
Job 2:10 – “Shall we accept good from Elohim, and not accept evil?”
These verses make it clear that both prosperity and adversity come from YaHuWaH’s hand. He alone is in control, there is no cosmic battle between two equal forces of good and evil.
The Hebrew Word for “Evil” in Isaiah 45:7
The word translated as “evil” in Isaiah 45:7 is רָע (ra‘), which can mean adversity, calamity, distress, and judgement.
It does not mean “moral wickedness” in this context, but rather the calamities, disasters, and judgments that YaHuWaH brings upon people and nations. This is consistent with the entire message of the prophets, YaHuWaH brings blessing for obedience and calamity for rebellion (Deuteronomy 28).
This means that when people face suffering or disaster, it is YaHuWaH’s will, whether as discipline, judgment, or testing.
No Need to Rebuke a Devil – YaHuWaH Is in Control
Many believers today have been taught to “rebuke the devil” when facing hardship. However, this is not a biblical concept. Instead, the prophets and righteous men in Scripture understood that adversity comes from YaHuWaH Himself and that the right response is repentance, endurance, and trust.
Job’s response to suffering:
“YaHuWaH gave, and YaHuWaH has taken away; blessed be the Name of YaHuWaH.” (Job 1:21)
Job did not rebuke a “Satan”, he recognized that everything, both good and bad, came from YaHuWaH.
Dawid (David) accepted punishment from YaHuWaH:
“Let him curse, because YaHuWaH has said to him, ‘Curse Dawid.’ Who then shall say, ‘Why have you done so?’” (2 Samuel 16:10)
Dawid understood that even his enemies were acting by YaHuWaH’s decree.
Yoseph (Joseph) acknowledged YaHuWaH’s control over his hardships:
“You meant evil against me, but Elohim meant it for good.” (Genesis 50:20)
Yoseph saw that even the betrayal of his brothers was part of YaHuWaH’s plan.
Nowhere in Scripture do we see righteous men “rebuking the devil”, instead, they recognize that everything is under YaHuWaH’s control.
The Misunderstanding of “Satan” in Scripture
Many believe in an external, rebellious being called “Satan” who opposes YaHuWaH, but Scripture does not support this idea. The word שָּׂטָן (satan) simply means adversary or accuser, and it is often used to describe human enemies or even YaHuWaH’s own messengers who bring judgment.
YaHuWaH Himself is called “Satan” (Adversary) in Numbers 22:22 – “And the Messenger of YaHuWaH stood in the way as an adversary (satan) against him.”
Here, the angel sent by YaHuWaH is called “satan” because he was opposing Bil‘am (Balaam). This shows that satan is not a personal name, but a role, anyone acting as an adversary can be called “satan.”
The “Satan” in Job is an obedient servant of YaHuWaH
The book of Job does not depict an independent rebel, but rather a heavenly prosecutor acting under YaHuWaH’s authority. Job 1:12 says: “YaHuWaH said to Satan, ‘Behold, all that he has is in your hand, only do not lay a hand on him.’”
The adversary (satan) could do nothing without YaHuWaH’s permission. This is proof that he was not in opposition to YaHuWaH’s will.
YaHuWaH Himself sends “lying spirits” and “evil spirits”
1 Kings 22:23 – “YaHuWaH has put a lying spirit in the mouth of all these prophets of yours, and YaHuWaH has declared disaster against you.”
Judges 9:23 – “Then Elohim sent an evil spirit between Abimelek and the citizens of Shechem.”
This shows that when falsehood or calamity occurs, it is because YaHuWaH has decreed it – not because of an external “devil.”
How Should We Respond to Hardship?
Since YaHuWaH is in control of both blessing and calamity, our response should not be to “rebuke the devil,” but rather to humble ourselves before YaHuWaH.
Seek YaHuWaH in Repentance
“If My people who are called by My Name humble themselves, and pray and seek My face and turn from their evil ways, then I shall hear from the heavens, and forgive their sin and heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14)
Trust in His Sovereignty
“We know that all matters work together for good to those who love Elohim.” (Romans 8:28)
“YaHuWaH kills and makes alive, He brings down to She’ol and raises up. YaHuWaH makes poor and makes rich, He brings low and lifts up.” (1 Samuel 2:6-7)
Endure in Faith
“Consider it all joy, my brothers, when you fall into various trials, knowing that the proving of your belief works endurance.” (James 1:2-3)
YaHuWaH Alone is in Control. There is no cosmic battle between YaHuWaH and an independent “Satan.” Adversity comes from YaHuWaH, not from an external devil. Our response to hardship should be repentance, trust, and endurance, not rebuking “Satan.”
Everything, light and darkness, peace and calamity, comes from YaHuWaH alone. Recognizing this truth brings us to a deeper faith and understanding of His supreme authority.
© AmmiOlam.org
Restoring the ancient paths – walking in the covenant of truth.