Expert: Rev. Stuart Woodward - 4/4/2005

Question
Hi
I was also taught that nothing evil comes from the Lord. In 1st Samuel 16-14 it says an evil spirit was sent by the Lord to Saul also in 1st Samuel 18-10.
Can you explain this to me
Thanks,
Sydney

Answer
Hello Sydney,
Thank you for your question. First we need to realise that in Hebrew there is no difference between causative will and permissive will. In other words the language does not distinguish between what a person directly causes and what a person allows to happen. It would therefore be just as acceptable to translate these passages as God allowing an evil spirit to afflict Saul. We see something similar in the book of Job where Satan is given permission by God to afflict him and test the genuineness of his trust.
Also God not only allowed the crucifiction of Jesus but planned it, even though from the perspective of the perpetrators it was an evil act. It is the end result which we need to keep in mind. God will use anyone or anyhing to bring about His purposes which are always good. Thus He used Cyrus King of Persia to bring about His purposes even though Cyrus was a a foreign King and did not acknowledge the true God.
Nothing evil comes from God but God will use the evil that exists to bring about good purposes. At the cross God lured Satan into what Satan thought was victory but was in fact defeat. Thus God still works all things together for good for those who love the ord (Romans 8:28).
I hope my comments are of some help and I wish you God's blessing as you study the scriptures.
Stuart Woodward