The translators of Scripture are reluctant to consider the possibility that God could bring evil on someone. Therefore, whenever the word “evil” occurs in connection with God, they translate it as “calamity.” For example, in the following six verses the same exact Hebrew word [“rah” OT:7451] is translated “evil” when it concerns people, but as “calamity” when it concerns God. However, it is the same identical word in every case.
- Jer 18:8, “…if that nation against which I have spoken turns from its evil, I will relent concerning the calamity I planned to bring on it.”
- Jer 18:11, “So now then, speak to the men of Judah and against the inhabitants of Jerusalem saying, ‘Thus says the Lord, “Behold, I am fashioning calamity against you and devising a plan against you. Oh turn back, each of you from his evil way, and reform your ways and your deeds.”‘”
- Jer 26:3, ‘Perhaps they will listen and everyone will turn from his evil way, that I may repent of the calamity which I am planning to do to them because of the evil of their deeds.’
- Jer 36:3, “Perhaps the house of Judah will hear all the calamity which I plan to bring on them, in order that every man will turn from his evil way; then I will forgive their iniquity and their sin.”
- Mic 2:3, “Therefore thus says the Lord, ‘Behold, I am planning against this family a calamity from which you cannot remove your necks and you will not walk haughtily, for it will be an evil time.'”
- Hab 2:9, “Woe to him who gets evil gain for his house to put his nest on high, to be delivered from the hand of calamity!
Actually, God can do whatever He wants no matter what we think. He can even use evil to bring about good (see for example Rev 17:17).1 We need to handle the Scriptures accurately2 and not read our biases into them.3
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Footnotes
- Rev 17:17, “For God has put it in their hearts [Satan’s minions] to execute His purpose by having a common purpose, and by giving their kingdom to the beast, until the words of God will be fulfilled.”
- 2 Tim 2:15, “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.“
- James 3:1, Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we will incur a stricter judgment.