Sabbath: The Problem of Evil
Daily Lesson for Sabbath 8th of February 2025
Image © Pacific Press
Read for This Week’s Study: Job 30:26; Matthew 27:46; Job 38:1-12; Psalms 73:1-28; Genesis 2:16-17; Revelation 21:3-4.
Memory Text:
“ ‘And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away’ ” (Revelation 21:4, NKJV).
Perhaps the greatest problem facing Christianity is the problem of evil—how to reconcile the fact that God is perfectly good and loving, with the fact of evil in this world. In brief terms, if God is all-good and all-powerful, why is there evil, and so much of it, too?
This is not merely an academic problem but something that deeply troubles many people and that keeps some from coming to know and love God.
“To many minds the origin of sin and the reason for its existence are a source of great perplexity. They see the work of evil, with its terrible results of woe and desolation, and they question how all this can exist under the sovereignty of One who is infinite in wisdom, in power, and in love. Here is a mystery of which they find no explanation.”—Ellen G. White, The Great Controversy, p. 492.
Many atheists identify the problem of evil as the reason that they are atheists. But as we will see in this week and in coming weeks, the God of the Bible is entirely good, and we can trust Him—even despite the evil that so infects our fallen world.
*Study this week’s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, February 15.
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I read this quote about 60 years ago and it has helped me understand the complexity of good and evil. It is something to keep in our minds this week as we study this complex topic.
The question of evil is one of the subjects that escape complete human explanation and comprehension. Through the ages, the concept of evil has been debated among philosophers, psychologists, sociologists, and religion without much agreement. This boils down to a point where believers have to accept that some questions have answers in God alone (Isaiah 55:8-9). Complete faith in God is the answer to all human questions.
Though there is the problem of evil in the world, we have to remember that our God is inherently good and will work out the various situations in our lives for our good.
We can trust Him amid the evil amid turmoil in our world!!!
I think the "problem" of evil does not lie within itself. Rather, it stems from mankind’s failure to be able to see evil as God does — rebellion – usurpation of authority.
God warned Adam and Eve not to eat from the 'Tree of Knowledge' because He knew it would bring suffering and, ultimately, eternal death to them. He did not cause their suffering; they caused it when they went against the established governing authority of His eternal laws.
Ironically, humanity still blames God for these consequences. God wants to show mankind their error, but, instead of taking responsibility, people continue to blame Him for their misery as they continue to reject His counsel and search for answers and excuses everywhere else instead of from Him.
It is truly heartbreaking to see so many wandering lost in the darkness of this world. God gave His clear warning to our first parents, yet it still goes unheeded. Though time is running out, it is not too late. If man will just listen and believe, he may yet hear our heavenly Father’s words — welcome home!
In His love, God made His creatures with the freedom of choice. So far, evil has entered the world precisely because of this. It would have been totally different if our first parents had not chosen evil. But they did. The way to be reconciled to the Goodness of God is to freely believe and accept His perfect Gift to us: His Son.
Do you think that if the "tree" was in existence as the human race expanded that eventually someone would have eaten from it? And our troubles would still be the same.
I don't think the entrance of sin was really about the temptation to eat the tasty flavoursome fruit. Rather it had to do with the entertainment of self-centred ideas in the mind.
"In brief terms, if God is all-good and all-powerful, why is there evil, and so much of it, too?"
Because God is a jeleous God, He wants to be loved by His people who have turned to Him with a humble and contrite spirit. Even if His people have backslidden.
Isaiah 57:15.
Simply, God allows sin to continue to preserve free will, to highlight the importance of grace, and to provide an opportunity for spiritual growth through the struggle against sin.
God’s lifting up of His redeemed people will be an eternal testimony to His mercy. “In the ages to come,” He will “show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus” in order that “the manifold wisdom of God” may be made known to “the principalities and the powers in the heavenly places.” Ephesians 2:7; 3:10. Humble Heros 3rd paragraph from the last of chapter 1.
I may add that God is waiting that every soul on earth may have a chance to make a decision one way or the other.
Now there is so much of it[sin] because the devil[Satan] is working to take as many of us from the arms of God as He can. So let us take heed and use the 8 ways Morris Vendon has outlined to obey God by faith alone.'To Know God, pages 110-112. Unless you prefer to do it on your own. I would strongly recommend the former. Your choice.
My wife and I had a happy Sabbath. We drove about 2.45 hours on a windy/rainy road to get from Coos Bay to Sutherlin Oregon to our brothers and sister-in-laws Sabbath School and Church. Pastor Murphy gave us a good sermon on the importance of living a Christ like life, admonishing us to fulfill 1 Peter 3:15. Using the example of Paul and Silas who changed the prison into a worship place. Acts 16:16-40.
Yes the after service food was delicious, Maurice. 😊
God Understands Our Pain – Jesus fully experienced human suffering, so He understands our struggles (Hebrews 4:15-16). This assures us that we are never alone, even in our darkest moments.
When we can’t see hope before us, we can remember that Jesus endured the same feeling—yet His faith in the Father led to resurrection and victory. That same power is available to us today.
Please remember, as Ellen White says in The Great Controversy, chapter 29, the Origin of Evil, that God created much more than this earth, and that we are in the spotlight of all creation as an example of the fruits of evil. In that sense, evil must come to full fruition before God destroys it or someday in eternity,(which is a long time!), some created being may say, "God destroyed that which may have been the right thing before it had a chance to blossom". Because of this possibility, God is waiting until evil has fully reaped what it has sown. At that point, all of creation will recognize evil for the destructive power it is. It is this trusting of His omniscience and omnipotence manifesting his agape love to us that constitutes true faith. And this faith will carry us through these evil tribulations here in the last days.