Judges 9:22-23 After Abimelech had governed Israel three years, God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the citizens of Shechem, who acted treacherously against Abimelech.
See also 1 Samuel 18:10 & story of Job
PERSONAL COMMENTARY
Many modern day Christians believe this concept, which has several Old Testament references and even demonstrated through the life of Judas in the New Testament, is not in the character of God.
Micah 2:1-3 Woe to those who devise iniquity and work out evil on their beds! At morning light they practice it because it is in the power of their hand. They covet fields and take them by violence, also houses, and seize them. So they oppress a man and his house, a man and his inheritance. Therefore thus says the LORD: “ Behold, against this family I am devising evil, from which you cannot save yourselves; Nor shall you walk proudly, for it will be a time of evil.
PERSONAL COMMENTARY
We have to remember that God sets the rules and those rules set for man does not necessarily apply to him. This passage proves just this point. It is "woe to those who devise iniquity and work out evil." However, at the same time, God was "devising evil" against them as a response.
1 Samuel 2:6 “The LORD kills and makes alive;
He brings down to the grave and brings up.
PERSONAL COMMENTARY
At least God's a balanced God.
Exodus 15:26 He said, "If you listen carefully to the voice of the LORD your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the LORD, who heals you."
PERSONAL COMMENTARY
This is a favorite verse of the Pentecostal/Charismatic community. It's used to preach the value of listening to the word, paying attention to the word and obeying the word as it pertains to receiving one's healing. "I am the Lord who heals you" is a much used quote.
However, did you notice the threat? In other words, if you do not do as God wants, he will send diseases on you as he brought on the Egyptians. Is it God who sends diseases on people?
1 Samuel 16:14-23 Now the Spirit of the LORD had departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD tormented him.
Saul's attendants said to him, "See, an evil spirit from God is tormenting you. Let our lord command his servants here to search for someone who can play the harp. He will play when the evil spirit from God comes upon you, and you will feel better."
So Saul said to his attendants, "Find someone who plays well and bring him to me."
One of the servants answered, "I have seen a son of Jesse of Bethlehem who knows how to play the harp. He is a brave man and a warrior. He speaks well and is a fine-looking man. And the LORD is with him."
Then Saul sent messengers to Jesse and said, "Send me your son David, who is with the sheep." So Jesse took a donkey loaded with bread, a skin of wine and a young goat and sent them with his son David to Saul.
David came to Saul and entered his service. Saul liked him very much, and David became one of his armor-bearers. Then Saul sent word to Jesse, saying, "Allow David to remain in my service, for I am pleased with him."
Whenever the spirit from God came upon Saul, David would take his harp and play. Then relief would come to Saul; he would feel better, and the evil spirit would leave him.
PERSONAL COMMENTARY
I was taught that God is the source of good and the devil was the source of evil. However, this is one scripture of many (click here for more examples) that shows that God is the source of evil.
Isaiah 45:7 I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things.
PERSONAL COMMENTARY
This is another one of those confusing verses. It goes along with the previous verse on God sending evil spirits. We are taught that God is good and Satan is evil. To read Scriptures stating that God authored evil and participates in the propagation of evil does not make sense.
I should note that later translations do temper this verse but the hebrew word here is "ra" which is normally translated as evil, distress, misery, injury, calamity, wicked (ethically), and unkind (vicious in disposition).
