We tend to form our own opinions about exactly what is “good” and what is “evil” ever since the incident in the Garden. We know that the LORD is good, for Scripture clearly tells us so. It was that cunning one in the Garden that led us to questioning.
- Yes, the LORD shapes our lives, and yes, when we see certain aspects of our lives, they appear evil to us, calamitous. But how can we say that a God would be good who would create evil/calamity? Such events certainly do lead us to question.
⦁ Isaiah 45:7
7 I form the light and create darkness,
I make peace and create calamity;
I, the LORD, do all these things.’
⦁ Colossians 1:16
16 For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.
⦁ Philippians 4:11-13
11 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content (g0842. αὐτάρκης autarkēs): 12 I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
▸ g0842. αὐτάρκης autarkēs; from g0846. αὐτός autos and g0714. ἀρκέω arkeō; self-complacent, i.e. contented: — content.
AV (1) – content 1;
- sufficient for one’s self, strong enough or processing enough to need no aid or support
- independent of external circumstances
- contented with one’s lot, with one’s means, though the slenderest
- (h4682. מַצָּה maṣâ unleavened) – think of how eating matzah at Passover time reminds of being sufficient, contentment.
Both Sides Now
… Rows and floes of angel hair
And ice cream castles in the air
And feather canyons everywhere
Looked at clouds that way
… But now they only block the sun
They rain and they snow on everyone
So many things I would have done
But clouds got in my way
… I’ve looked at clouds from both sides now
From up and down and still somehow
It’s cloud illusions I recall
I really don’t know clouds at all
… Moons and Junes and Ferris wheels
The dizzy dancing way that you feel
As every fairy tale comes real
I’ve looked at love that way
… But now it’s just another show
And you leave ’em laughing when you go
And if you care, don’t let them know
Don’t give yourself away
… I’ve looked at love from both sides now
From give and take and still somehow
It’s love’s illusions that I recall
I really don’t know love
I really don’t know love at all
… Tears and fears and feeling proud
To say, “I love you, ” right out loud
Dreams and schemes and circus crowds
I’ve looked at life that way
… Oh, but now old friends, they’re acting strange
And they shake their heads and they tell me that I’ve changed
Well, something’s lost, but something’s gained
In living every day
… I’ve looked at life from both sides now
From win and lose and still somehow
It’s life’s illusions I recall
I really don’t know life at all
… It’s life’s illusions that I recall
I really don’t know life
I really don’t know life at all
Source: LyricFind
Songwriters: Joni Mitchell
Both Sides Now lyrics © Reservoir Media Management, Inc
① finding
⦁ Genesis 6:8
8 But Noah found (h4672. מָצָא mâṣâ’) grace in the eyes of the LORD.
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⦁ Exodus 16:23-26
23 Then he said to them, “This is what the LORD has said: ‘Tomorrow is a Sabbath rest, a holy Sabbath to the LORD. Bake what you will bake today, and boil what you will boil; and lay up for yourselves all that remains, to be kept until morning.’” 24 So they laid it up till morning, as Moses commanded; and it did not stink, nor were there any worms in it. 25 Then Moses said, “Eat that today, for today is a Sabbath to the LORD; today you will not find (h4672. מָצָא mâṣâ’) it in the field. 26 Six days you shall gather it, but on the seventh day, the Sabbath, there will be none.”
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⦁ Exodus 22:1-4
1 “If a man steals an ox or a sheep, and slaughters it or sells it, he shall restore five oxen for an ox and four sheep for a sheep. 2 If the thief is found breaking in, and he is struck so that he dies, there shall be no guilt for his bloodshed. 3 If the sun has risen on him, there shall be guilt for his bloodshed. He should make full restitution; if he has nothing, then he shall be sold for his theft. 4(3H) If the theft is certainly (h4672. מָצָא mâṣâ’) found (h4672. מָצָא mâṣâ’) alive in his hand, whether it is an ox or donkey or sheep, he shall restore double.
⦁ Exodus 22:3
3 אִֽם־הִמָּצֵא֩ תִמָּצֵ֨א בְיָדֹ֜ו הַגְּנֵבָ֗ה מִשֹּׁ֧ור עַד־חֲמֹ֛ור עַד־שֶׂ֖ה חַיִּ֑ים שְׁנַ֖יִם יְשַׁלֵּֽם׃ ס
② witnessing; verifying
⦁ Deuteronomy 17:2-5
2 “If there is found (h4672. מָצָא mâṣâ’) among you, within any of your gates which the LORD your God gives you, a man or a woman who has been wicked in the sight of the LORD your God, in transgressing His covenant, 3 who has gone and served other gods and worshiped them, either the sun or moon or any of the host of heaven, which I have not commanded, 4 and it is told you, and you hear of it, then you shall inquire diligently. And if it is indeed true and certain that such an abomination has been committed in Israel, 5 then you shall bring out to your gates that man or woman who has committed that wicked thing, and shall stone to death that man or woman with stones.
③ facing and meeting
⦁ Psalms 116:1-4
1 I love the LORD, because He has heard
My voice and my supplications.
2 Because He has inclined His ear to me,
Therefore I will call upon Him as long as I live.
3 The pains of death surrounded me,
And the pangs of Sheol laid hold of me;
I found (h4672. מָצָא mâṣâ’) trouble (h6869. צָרָה ṣârâ) and sorrow (h3015. יָגוֹן yâg̱ôn).
4 Then I called upon the name of the LORD:
“O LORD, I implore You, deliver my soul!”
④ presenting
⦁ Leviticus 9:8-13
8 Aaron therefore went to the altar and killed the calf of the sin offering, which was for himself. 9 Then the sons of Aaron brought the blood to him. And he dipped his finger in the blood, put it on the horns of the altar, and poured the blood at the base of the altar. 10 But the fat, the kidneys, and the fatty lobe from the liver of the sin offering he burned on the altar, as the LORD had commanded Moses. 11 The flesh and the hide he burned with fire outside the camp.
12 And he killed the burnt offering; and Aaron’s sons presented (h4672. מָצָא mâṣâ’) to him the blood, which he sprinkled all around on the altar. 13 Then they presented(h4672. מָצָא mâṣâ’) the burnt offering to him, with its pieces and head, and he burned them on the altar.
⑤ sufficing
⦁ Numbers 11:22
22 Shall flocks and herds be slaughtered for them, to provide enough (h4672. מָצָא mâṣâ’) for them? Or shall all the fish of the sea be gathered together for them, to provide enough (h4672. מָצָא mâṣâ’) for them?”
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Habakkuk 1:1-4
1 The burden (h4853. מַשָּׂא maśâ’) which the prophet Habakkuk saw.
The Prophet’s Question
2 O LORD, how long shall I cry,
And You will not hear?
Even cry out to You, “Violence!”
And You will not save.
3 Why do You show me iniquity,
And cause me to see trouble?
For plundering and violence are before me;
There is strife, and contention arises.
4 Therefore the law is powerless,
And justice never goes forth.
For the wicked surround the righteous;
Therefore perverse judgment proceeds.
- עצם bone נסה test נסע go forward משׂא burden משה Moses מצא find cognate permutations (influence positively/negatively) also (withhold/provide)
Recall, please, Yeshua/Jesus stating:
⦁ Matthew 11:30
30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
- Actress Bette Davis
“LEARN TO LOVE THE WORLD AGAIN” Sarah Bessey, Field Notes for the Wilderness, Chapter 10. Our small group is discussing this book currently, which stimulates much pondering and discussion. One of her biggest messages fits in very well with my theology, which is paying close attention to the world around us, for “better” or “worse.” There is teaching in all things.
The “good and the evil” are both a “testing.” Don’t fall in love with youth or hate old age.
Rudyard Kipling’s poem, “If” was my “coming of age” discussion with my dad.
“If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same…”
Be content. Say “it is enough.” It is enough that the LORD loves me. It is enough. All else falls into place. Is this the message of the Messiah? Enough??? I have had some recent discoveries/revelations that are very helpful to me. I pray that it is in the will of the LORD that I get to share those with you. Keep in mind the search “LORD is good”above, and for now let it be “enough.” 😉
Blessings, PG
Ⓒ Copyright Philip E. Gates; LogAndSpeck.com October 2025. Please cite if you use this material.