Isaiah 45

“Evil” in this context most likely refers to “bad things happening”, such as drought, floods, locust swarms, crop failures etc

I don’t think it means God causes mankind to do evil deeds.

peace to you

 

A fundamental: Any kind of evil requires a good. No exceptions.

The absence of an evil is always good.

 

Isa 45:5-7(NASB)

“I am the LORD, and there is no one else;
There is no God except Me.
I will embrace you, though you have not known Me,

So that people may know from the rising to the setting of the sun
That there is no one besides Me.
I am the LORD, and there is no one else,

The One forming light and creating darkness,
Causing well-being and creating disaster;
I am the LORD who does all these things.

Here is the NASB version of the scripture given in the Opening Post. The OP did not say why this passage was posted. Post #2 correctly noted that the passage does not say God causes humans to do evil or sinful things. Post #3 suggested the absence of evil is always good. God created our harsh environment but said it was good. Thus disaster is not good for those adversely affected, say killed by a tornado, but the result of adverse situations can lead people to seek God as a refuge which is good from God's point of view.

Verse 5 certainly indicates God takes the first action to establish a relationship with humans. He not only makes known His attributes by what He has made, He reaches out to humans who do not know Him, perhaps meaning who do not have any sort of a relationship based on faith in Him.

Verse 6 states God has made Himself known by what He has made including the blessings of sunlight and darkness.

Verse 7 certainly indicates God is Sovereign, causing or allowing whatsoever comes to pass, including that disaster may befall us, as well as well being. As for me, I conclude I should endeavor to stay on God's good side.

 

-or-

15 for the law worketh wrath; but where there is no law, neither is there transgression. Ro 4

13 for until the law sin was in the world; but sin is not imputed when there is no law. Ro 5

 

I have wondered what Paul is trying to communicate in this passage (as many have)

As best as I can determine…

1. There is always sin against God’s requirements/expectations for humanity

2. The law reveals sin

3. Since the law reveals sin, it is then imputed because we sin anyway

Paul will later say he didnt know covering was sinful. When he discovered the law forbid covering, he realized he had all kinds of coveting within himself.

peace to you

 

I believe the primary intent is to employ opposites as "bookends" to express completeness.

• light and darkness: (and everything in between) ... God does all
• peace [good events] and evil [bad events]: (and everything in between) ... God does all
• I the Lord do all these things: (just in case the inclusive examples were not explicit enough) ... God does all!

As He said: I am the Lord, and there is none else, there is no God beside me

 

14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under law, but under grace. Ro 6

1 There is therefore now no [eternal] condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus. Ro 8

The Exodus motif/(type?) illustrates this truth magnificently.